Firefox Question

[crockett]

Based on past experiences I'm very paranoid about any software that is free.

On the other hand, I went through a bit of a "bad" time with my computer (security wise) and through the help of this site I have almost brought up my machine to a level that makes me feel secure. I have done this using some wonderful free software and so far so good. My next two steps are ZoneAlarm firewall and Firefox.

Questions (in order of importance):

1. Can I install and run Firefox with IE still residing on my machine and run them side by side? For example, if Firefox blips or gives me a problem can I just shut it down and open IE to get to a site that has previously worked on IE in the past? Or must I first remove IE?

2. I am running Windows XP Home Edition SP1. Anyone have any difficulties running ZoneAlarm Firewall? Finally, should I leave the IE built-in firewall enabled and run both ZA and it or disable the built-in firewall and just use ZA (this of course assumes I don't start using Firefox).

3. Which makes me think of another question...Currently I have IE but I hardly ever open it up. I just click on an icon which "wakes-up" my modem (I have dial-up), connect and then open my particul Poker client. I never even open up IE. Doing it this way is the IE built-in firewall even active?