This is a new installation in fact. I uninstalled the old one after it was behaving fishy, like not launching when clicking the desktop icon, and showing white (blank) pop ups. The latest episode could not be repaired. So I uninstalled it and downloaded a new copy....
And then getting those Firefox new tab launches now. Which brings me here.
My trust/esteem in Avast has gone down a lot this year, after knowing they sold user data through Jumpshot, and then....the glitches to do with the pop ups earlier (I don't know how many times I repaired it already - in vain).
There are other issues - like it is now suddenly sending me a notification that I'm connected to my ethernet card, it has never done this before. But maybe that is due to this copy being new.....I have now turned off all notifications in the Settings, so we will see....
If this new Firefox browser tab comes up again, that's it. I am taking this junk off my computer for good. After so many years of using Avast.......
There are so many other antivirus software in the market, all free as well.
I think the problem is all down to Avast pushing a little too hard over the edge with regards to "marketing" its paid versions/add-ons and what not. It was working well (quietly) in the past. Now it's just getting annoying.