Spyware, viruses, & security forum: Windows Explorer wants access to internet.

Hi Rosalie,

I found this:

This Information Applies to:

All ZoneAlarm Products

Summary:

Windows Explorer (WE) wants to access the Internet.

Solution:

Due to the way that Microsoft integrates their software, sometimes other programs can show up as Internet Explorer processes, and vice versa. This is dependent on what OS, software, and browser version you have, and the order in which programs are opened up. A few examples of these include "Windows Explorer" (WE), "Windows Media Player" (WMP), and others.

NOTE - Several recent Trojan Horse programs have installed using the name Explorer, hoping that users would simply grant it access. Be absolutely sure that it is the Windows version, if you are going to allow it access. If you have any doubt at all, you should not allow it access.

Internet Explorer may run in the same process as Windows Explorer by default. For information about this, use the link below, click to search the Knowledgebase, and then search by Article ID, and enter 240928: Microsoft Support

In addition, more recent Windows versions include Universal Plug N Play, which can also cause this. For more information on this check the Microsoft support site: Microsoft Support

Here are a few things that can result in WE asking for access:
When a new browser window is launched
When accessing bookmarks via WE
If Active desktop is in use
When browsing network folders
If WE is configured to view web content
If WE is configured to launch folder windows in a separate process.

http://nh1.nohold.net/noHoldCust25/Prod_1/Articles55646/WEWantsInternet.html

Also this:

For me, Windows Explorer only gives me a prompt if I have advanced program control on. From there, ZoneAlarm Pro warns me that explorer is trying to use another program to access the internet. However, as a Win98SE user, I never needed to give it access.

http://forums.zonelabs.com/zonelabs/board/message?board.id=cfg&message.id=7091 posted Dec. 20, 2003

Happy Holidays,

Donna

You're welcome Rosalie. Something was maybe triggered when you opened that folder. Not sure what was triggered but it's best to block internet access for WE as what ZA suggested or recommended (if in doubt,block it).

I wonder if you've disabled unnecessary services of your Windows 2000? In case you want to verify which services of Windows 2000 is unnecessary to load, http://www.blackviper.com/WIN2K/servicecfg.htm has a guide or offers SAFE setting.

HTH

Donna

I have also seen the WE prompt twwice, with Look'nStop firewall. I blocked it permanently. Like you say, WINDOWS has absolutely no right or need to access the internet. I also use Win98SE.

IF it ever turns out to be a misnomer and was another program accessing, then this will be discovered quickly enough, and at that time remedial steps may be taken. Until and unless that be the case, block, Block, BLOCK!