whenever i send or receive email, or download some websites, it will prompt you YES or NO to proceed.

is this the way it protects you from hackers?
if so, i feel stumbling in using internet!

i installed a trial version of zone-alarm before, quickly uninstalled it to get rid of this hassel!

actually what is the best way to secure your computer when you go online?

The firewall I use, has three settings.

One is a complete shutdown, locking all transactions off.
Two is just like your dealing with, it asks wether you allow it or not.
and the third is turning the firewall off.

With the second it's possible to make RULES, this means if you allow a site or application, you can tell it to be allowed the next time you come across it.

If you want the freedom of a surf, then rather than a firewall your going to need some form of sandbox. That only traps particular data exchanges like communication with trojans.