windows explorer needs access?

Trying to learn why Windows Explorer needs online access, what info is moving back and forth, etc. It all started...

I had just connected to my ISP (dial-up) and selected Internet Explorer (5.0) and was waiting for the homepage screen when the ZoneAlarm (3.1.395) popped up and informed me that Windows Explorer wanted access. I routinely get this message and as usual I denied access. But this time I didn't get my homepage. Instead I got the message that the requested url isn't available. I tried multiple websites but got the same message. Thinking my ISP might be at fault, I broke connection and dialed up my back -up ISP. But I got the same result. OK, so I think maybe IE is screwed, so I boot and start over. I dial up and get ZoneAlarm with the same request for Windows Explorer access as before, but this time I allow access. Bingo, my homepage screen displays and no further problems.

So the question is, did IE shut me down? Whats so important that it needs access? I'm not talking about the Windows Update redirect that sometimes takes control- thats another animal.

For back-up purposes I have installed the Phoenix browser.

system info:
VIA Tech Vt 82C597
500 Mhz AMD K6-2
128 MB Ram
VP3-586B-W877 motherboard
Windows 98 SE
generic IDE hard drive 4.29 GB

 

When you told Zone Alarm to deny access to IE, you effectively stopped IE from sending any requests to the internet, even those you initiated. IE frequently reports in to Microsoft and there is nothing you can do about it.

I recommend using Mozilla or Opera, both available free. Be aware though, that these browsers will 'phone home' as well. But they are much less likely to get your computer trashed by malware.

 

Thanks for the reply, Hank. So "Windows Explorer" is the same as "Internet Explorer"? I have denied access in the past to "Windows Explorer" without IE shutting down. And what info is leaving my computer?

Thanks again.

 

wait a sec, windows explorer ISNT internet explorer. the only thing windows explorer should be doing on the internet its initiating a network connection such as file sharing over TCP/IP. Do you run a proxy server or somthing like that?

 

Goldfish is right. I obviously didn't read your first post closely enough. Here's what I think happened, but since I wasn't there I'm not saying it did happen. The first time you run a program that accesses the internet, Zone Alarm asks if you want to allow access for that program. I think that you misread the ZA message and mistook Internet Explorer for Windows Explorer, and when you chose 'No' you actually denied IE access. I don't know of any reason why WE should try to access the internet, unless you have mapped another drive on a network. In that case, ZA would catch it when WE tried to read the remote drive.

I suggest you open ZA and remove IE from the list of allowed programs, then run IE again and see what message you get from ZA.

 

Goldfish, I wouldn't have a clue how to run a proxy server, no. And Hank, I understand why you would think It was IE and not WE, but I'm sure it was WE. At any rate, I used GoBack to revert my harddrive a week, so this situation should repeat itself shortly. Thanks again.