ONCE AGAIN... Windows XP has a built in Firewall. That is for the most part all the protection you need. AOL has thier own multilayer firewall that not only conflicts with anyones external Firewall but blocks the ability to view many sites.
Simply stated once you are logged on to AOL, simply launch the Internet explorer browswer that is not directly within AOL and you wont have any problems. I tossed AOL a year ago. They added more junk, more cookies, more adware, and more BS than any other company or web site I ever visited. Where do you think the 10k spam emails regarding penile enhancement, online pharmacies etc originate. Sorry I'm an AOL BASHER AOL IS USELESS.
Sometime go to
www.speakeasy.net and run a speed test using AOL. then launch an external browswer and run the same test. I guarantee you you will be 40% slower using the AOL browser. Bottom line is the only thing AOL protects you from is nothing... Now that I've got that off my chest. Follow the directions listed previously and make sure you use and external browser you will not or should not have a problem. It is always related to firewalls or anti virus proteciton that caused you not to view any on particular website.