Absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, a slight slowdown is the price you pay for protection. Post on the forum of the security application that you are using for assistance and advice concerning your problem. Firefox does warn you when you try to go to '''''known''''' malware or phishing sites but does not replace a good security application. *See --> https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/phishing-protection/ *'''''Sample''''' warning screens: **http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/its-a-trap.html **http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/its-an-attack.html '''If this reply solves your problem, please click "Solved It" next to this reply when <u>signed-in</u> to the forum.''' ------------------------- Not related to your question, but... You may need to update some plug-ins. Check your plug-ins and update as necessary: *Plug-in check --> http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/plugincheck/ *Adobe Shockwave for Director Netscape plug-in: [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Using%20the%20Shockwave%20plugin%20with%20Firefox#w_installing-shockwave Installing ('''''or Updating''''') the Shockwave plugin with Firefox] *'''''Adobe PDF Plug-In For Firefox and Netscape''''': [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Using%20the%20Adobe%20Reader%20plugin%20with%20Firefox#w_installing-and-updating-adobe-reader Installing/Updating Adobe Reader in Firefox] *Shockwave Flash (Adobe Flash or Flash): [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Managing%20the%20Flash%20plugin#w_updating-flash Updating Flash in Firefox] *'''''Next Generation Java Plug-in for Mozilla browsers''''': [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Using%20the%20Java%20plugin%20with%20Firefox#w_installing-or-updating-java Installing or Updating Java in Firefox]