InternetBrowser/Firewall Friends 2-Part Query

Hello,

I have a two part query that I hope someone would be able to help me with. Ok, here is my first query:

After I reinstalled, I got two pop ups from Avast (that I don’t remember seeing when I first installed Avast) that said it had established new rules, one for internet explorer (when I opened it) and one from firefox (another pop up when I opened it).

Under Application Rules, I see that rule for Internet explorer has been set to “Friends In and Internet Out (otherwise auto-decide)”; but for Firefox it has been set to “Friends in/out (otherwise auto-decide).” Why did it select different rules for the two internet browsers? Which rule is the best rule to apply to both internet browsers?

Ok, my 2nd query is:

I see that Avast has identified from 127.0.0.0 to 127.255.255 as one of my “Friends”. How did it decide that ISP was a “Friend”? It looks weired and when I use Avast to check the IP Address Details I get the image I’ve attached hereto and that looks really weird. Can anyone tell me what/where that “Loopback ISP”?

Ok. Thank you very much in advance for any response.

I see that Avast has identified from 127.0.0.0 to 127.255.255 as one of my "Friends"
It is you ;D

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loopback
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Localhost

:o Wow. I feel silly. :-[ So what am I doing off the coast of Africa (according to the address details)???

Thank you for the Wiki links. I’ll read up on that.

Would the answer to my other query be just as simple, by chance?