two iexplore.exe running in task manager

[Guardian]

I've read the similar questions here, but none seem to apply directly. I
never had the problem until I updated to IE8, then I noticed two instances of
IE were running in task mgr. When I shut down one, I get a request if I
want to close all sets or one. I close all, and when I reopen IE, I get a
msg that the previous session didn't close correctly, do I want to start
where I left off. If I open additional windows, there is always one extra IE
running. If I simply X out to log off, both are closed. If I kill either
one in Task Mgr, both close. Spyware, antivirus etc show no problems.
Happens if I start from short cut or c drive. I'm afraid there is a backdoor,
rootkit, keylogger or other hijacking going on. How do I stop this, and, is
it possible the installation of IE8 caused this? When I check properties,
one says it's got a job running; the other doesn't.

 

[Jean Rosenfeld]

It is normal. IE8 runs each tab as a separate service, so if a tab crashews
it does not crash the whole of IE. There is also an extra one for the
Ieframe, so rule of thumb: number of iexplore.exe in task manager = number
of tabs open + 1.

 

[e424]

it is normal for Internet Explorer to run more than one instance of itself
it runs a seperate process for every tab or window that IE has open plus 1
for IEFrame

 

[Guardian]

Thank you. While this makes me feel better as to my security, it's still a
bit hard for me to accept. I've used iexplore for years, since it was first
developed I guess, and never noticed two sets of Iexplore running in the task
mgr before, when I only have one tab or window open. I often check Task
Mgr to control memory by terminating memory eating programs running in the
background that I'm not using, so I'd have noticed (or should have) if an
extra iexplore was running.

Is this iexplore + 1 a relatively new situation or has it been around for
years and somehow I just never noticed? Thanks again.

 

[Bennett Marco]

Thank you. While this makes me feel better as to my security, it's still a
bit hard for me to accept. I've used iexplore for years, since it was first
developed I guess, and never noticed two sets of Iexplore running in the task
mgr before, when I only have one tab or window open. I often check Task
Mgr to control memory by terminating memory eating programs running in the
background that I'm not using, so I'd have noticed (or should have) if an
extra iexplore was running.

Is this iexplore + 1 a relatively new situation or has it been around for
years and somehow I just never noticed? Thanks again.

It is specific to IE8 and is not something to be concerned about.