AVG ARK triggers iexplore.exe process

When opening AVG Anti-Rootkit, iexplore.exe process starts, even when not clicking the update check button. When closing AVG ARK, iexplore process remains even though internet explorer is not running. After closing AVG ARK these are the type of firewall log entries :-

Date/Time :2007-04-23 20:40:34
Severity :High
Reporter :Application Monitor
Description: Suspicious Behaviour (iexplore.exe)
Application: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
Parent: C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Rootkit Free\sZ7.exe
Protocol: TCP Out
Destination: 127.0.0.1::8080
Details: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe is an invisible application
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Date/Time :2007-04-23 20:40:31
Severity :High
Reporter :Application Behavior Analysis
Description: Suspicious Behaviour (iexplore.exe)
Application: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
Parent: C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Rootkit Free\sZ7.exe
Protocol: TCP Out
Destination: 127.0.0.1::8080
Details: C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Rootkit Free\sZ7.exe has modified the the User interface of C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe by sending special Window messages.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Killing the iexplore process and everything is hunky dory again.

EDIT: Correction - occurs AFTER clicking the update button. In that case iexplore.exe process stays put when IE is not running.