Explorer.exe Outbound connections

Should I allow explorer.exe to have outbound connections? My internet was very slow, then I blocked explorer.exe and it is fast again.

 

You could have a Virus might want to run a scan

 

I block all activity for explorer.exe in OSS. Explorer.exe is not allowed to have any inbound and outbound connections.

 

I also block Explorer.exe, it doesn't need to make any outboud connections.

I also recommend virus scans if your connection is slow when you let Explorer.exe make outbound connections.

 

I think explorer.exe shouldn't have outbound connections .I heard somebody said explorer.exe have to have outbound connections in VPN,but I don't know if it is right .

 

It is not unusual for explorer.exe to request outbound when performing a search for files\folders etc. Have long since blocked it`s access to both the LAN I am on as well as the Internet with no known ill affect.

A VPN may be a different story. I have no idea.

Still would not hurt to double check you machine for infection as Explorer.exe is a known exploitable target.

Side note. Print Spooler sub-system is another one that will consistently ask for Internet access. Unless you are on a LAN with a shared printer I have never figured out or been able to find out why it requires Internet access.

 

Explorer.exe can act as a browser (like I.E.), in which case it needs outward connection. Personally I don't use this function of Explorer.exe and prefer to keep it blocked. If you set it to 'ask' it will keep asking, which is a nuisance, so better to block until you actually need it.

 

Just adding my 5cents:
Explorer needs network access if for whatever reason you need to search for files over the internet or LAN. At home, it can be restricted to LAN IPs only.Best not to Automatically search for network drives (Folder options > View). I see no point having to search anything. Filesharing on a home LAN works fine without it. Never needed to change explorer setting for VPN connection to work. If I get there and have the rights to access directories, it works with nothing done on my part.

Spooler needs to have internet access if and only if you're in a corporate network and the printer is few floors away. Otherwise, at home it can be set to only go out to the LAN printer, and if no such is used, I would just stop the spooler service altogether. JMO.