ZoneAlarm thinks IE is WE

[StickBoy]

I have installed Windows 98 on a mishmash computer for my sister - the same version I have running on my own computer. I also have installed the free ZoneAlarm on her computer - the same free version I have on my computer. Both computers are fully updated via Windows Update.
When I use Internet Explorer on my computer, ZoneAlarm correctly asks if I want to allow IE to access the internet. But when I use it on my sister's computer, ZA asks if I want to allow Windows Explorer to access the internet.
Of course I don't, but if I say no, it blocks IE as well!
This is completely baffling to me. Can you help me to help ZA distinguish between Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer?
Thanks!

[oracleguy]

You can't distinguish them because they are the same thing. That's why IE security holes are such a critical problem with Windows, it is integrated into the OS.

[StickBoy]

I understand that they are essentially the same thing, but I don't understand why one instance of ZA identifies it as Internet Explorer and one identifies it as Windows Explorer. Surely allowing Windows Explorer access to the internet is more dangerous than allowing Internet Explorer access?
On my own configuration, under Programs for ZA, it has a listing for Windows Explorer, and is set to always ask. For Internet Explorer, I have allowed it always permission. On my sister's installation, it only lists Windows Explorer.
I must reiterate that, while the hardware is different, both computers are running Windows 98 and both are as up-to-date as Windows Update can make them.
It seems to me that ZoneAlarm should be able to distinguish between the two on her computer, since it can do so on my own.

[JohnnyPotseed]

Have you tried setting the permissions manually?Open the ZA control panel/ go to programs disallow WE and use the add tab to give access to IE. Not sure if it will work but should be worth a shot.

[Tails]

I had this problem too, but I'm using XP. Simple things such as thumbnails for html pages will attempt to connect to the internet to display any non-local images. But I'm sure that's not the only thing.

[StickBoy]

I have tried manually disallowing WE, but that resulted in the standard IE could-not-connect-to-server message. At one point, IE appeared in the Programs box of ZA, with checkmarks in the appropriate places, but WE was also there, with ??? This was during a time when I was getting non-connect erros from IE. I deleted both entries and tried again, it asked permission for WE, and then connected when permission was granted.

Is there any danger in allowing unrestricted permission to WE (that is, putting in a check mark) so that IE can connect, as long as the computer is always up-to-date (check Windows Update and update Virus Scan definitions once per week)? This computer is connected to ADSL and is left on most of the day.
I shouldn't ask is there *any* danger, but is there a great danger? I am also using SpyBot with zero tolerance and, of course, Zone Alarm, with all the security advice from GRC/Shields Up implemented.