Zone Alarm blocking internet access "Question"

[carson]

The firewall has blocked Internet access to ads3.zdnet.com (205.181.112.81) (HTTP) from your computer [TCP Flags: S].

User: x
Program: Internet Explorer
Time: 5/10/01 2:10:02 AM

The above appeared when D/L from zdnet. Is it normal for one's computer or is it possible to have an unknown program running? I dont remember this type of pop-up before this instance.
Thanks...

[kallikru]

Let's say it's not unusual...especially when you're downloading the site you're downloading from may have placed and started a small piece of program on your machine, that runs while your downloading and wants to sent some information about you back to it's "master".
Until proven otherwise (eg. that it hampers your download) I would take this as an indication that the firewall is working as it should.

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Karl,
Denmark
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"..and may The Force be with you too..."

[NeoGeek]

ZDNet runs advertising while you are downloading from them, and this looks the your computer trying to connect to the server where the web page containing the ad is residing. The ad page is probably being displayed in an inline frame inside the main page that displays while you are downloading. You will notice it is from a HTTP server. ie HyperText Transfer Protocol ie web pages.

From Webopedia
HyperText Transfer Protocol, the underlying protocol used by the World Wide Web. HTTP defines how messages are formatted and transmitted, and what actions Web servers and browsers should take in response to various commands. For example, when you enter a URL in your browser, this actually sends an HTTP command to the Web server directing it to fetch and transmit the requested Web page.

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A)bort,R)etry,I)nfluence with a large hammer.