Why do programs (other than Outlook or browsers) need Internet access?
Many programs use the Internet to look for updates or bug fixes for themselves. When a program such as Adobe Acrobat is opened, it is programmed to contact its “home base” to see if a more updated version is available. Users are then prompted to update the program. Sometimes, programs on a computer communicate with each other and use the local network to do this. This “local communication” may result in programs such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or Excel requesting access to the Internet. Another reason a program may request Internet access is if it crashes. When programs crash, they often access the Internet to look up the problem and solution. The “fix” is then presented to the user. There is no way this information could be obtained by the program without the program accessing the Internet. And don’t forget that malicious software or spyware may also try to connect to the Internet in order to send your personal information to a hacker.
