Why is IE on Firewall Allowed Programs?

Hi all,

I have just noticed that IE was on the Windows Firewall Allowed Programs list, I unchecked and deleted it from the Allowed list because it was not there when I first got this laptop and as far as I'm concerned, never needs to be on the Allowed list!
I have been running Microsoft Security Essentials, Malicious Removal Tool, MalwareBytes and SuperAntiSpyware to check for viruses or any other internet-based demon but nothing has been discovered and programs are up-to-date.

I just can't understand why IE would need to be on the Firewall Allowed list I assume allowing IE or any web browser on the Allowed list opens my computer to a greater number of problems and potential re-formatting and re-installation of Windows to make the computer safe and secure again?

Cheers guys!

Some applets and features may have issue if the browser is not allowed through the firewall.
Personally I use firefox with the noscript add on it's a pain to setup but basically makes it just about impossible for anything you haven't allowed to inject any kind of code at all. There is also a plugin called web of trust that is useful.

As for allowing the browser through the firewall, any program you actually want to interact with the net should be allowed through.

Hi man,

I did have Firefox on this machine but, my computer was crashing and locking up on me so I removed it!

It seems to be a new thing though, I haven't installed any new programs or add-ons for IE whatsoever and when I checked the firewall two days ago, IE was not on the Allowed list :s

Maguscreed said:

Some applets and features may have issue if the browser is not allowed through the firewall.
Personally I use firefox with the noscript add on it's a pain to setup but basically makes it just about impossible for anything you haven't allowed to inject any kind of code at all. There is also a plugin called web of trust that is useful.

As for allowing the browser through the firewall, any program you actually want to interact with the net should be allowed through.