>>>>I already installed FireFox and use it for the most of browsing. But once in a while I still use IE6 and would like to know what is this deal between IE and Outlook.
>>>>
>>>>>I dunno, but get rid of IE6. It has more holes that you can imagine.
>>>>>
>>>>>>Hi,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Quite often the COMODO Firewall reports that IE (ver 6.0) is trying to use Outlook via Office Automation. I was wondering, what kind of things IE could be doing via Outlook?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>TIA.
>>>
>>>Could it be that your email preference is set to Outlook? Or are you complaining because IE6 calls outlook by itself?
>>
>>Yes, email preference is set to Outlook. And you are right, I would like to know why IE calls Outlook by itself? That is, what is the reason that IE needs to connect to Outlook? Unless this is some kind of a spyware or something of that nature.
>
>It may just be IE6, which has bugs that may be causing the trouble. Download IE8 and install it to see if Outlook is still called by Internet Explorer.

I actually tried to install IE8 on this computer but IE8 wanted to install some Win updates and I was reluctant to let it. I am concerned that the Win XP updates that MS suggested may have some side effect problems. I will probably just stick with FireFox on this PC. Thank you.