This is a feature of the AVG Security Toolbar. To disable it, click the AVG Security Toolbar icon in Firefox, select 'Advanced Options' and uncheck 'Show AVG Secure Search box on new tabs in the browser'.

You might also wish to uncheck 'Set and keep AVG Secure Search as the search provider for Address bar' while there if this is also proving to be annoying.

Open a new Tab. On the bottom-right hand side of the screen you will see a hyperlink to Settings. Click it and you will see:

AVG Security Toolbar Settings

The New Tab Search feature adds a helpful search box every time you open a new tab in your browser. The search box allows you to quickly and safely search the web and saves you valuable time.

If you would like to prevent the helpful search box from being added to you new tab pages, you may easily disable this feature by unchecking the box below and clicking the “OK” button.

Uncheck the box next to: 'Show AVG Secure Search Box on new tabs in the browser.'

9/20

Finally found toolbar settings and unchecked the box.

All is well. Thanks for taking time to answer.

Thanks so much for the reply. I had spent a bit of time scanning my computer for viruses thinking that is what had caused this to happen - and I didn't trust the AVG Secure Search to be what it said it was.

I appreciate the help. I followed your instructions and no more problem.