Can only agree with above.
When I updated FF. Zonealarm simply popped up (because the program had changed) and asked if it was OK to allow it to connect - tick 'always', click 'allow' and no dramas.
As regards AV, I have used Avast (free) for ages. It checks incoming mail and running programs and is speedily updated nearly every day. Adaware hasn't found anything for over 2 years with this combo running.