avast changed my home page to google and I can't undo it!

When I opened my avast free version an hour ago it had a message saying a new version was available and to update to that. So I did. During the installation of the new version it asked me if I wanted it to clean my browser , which is ff; and I clicked yes. It brought up a box saying I had to select a 'browser search provider" first so I chose my default search engine which is google. When I went to connect to the internet later my homepage, which is the page for my primary email provider; was gone and instead the stupid google search page came on. That is now my HOME page. I went to internet options and typed in the address for my primary email, clic apply and ok. Google still came up. Went back to internet options and saw that current homepage was shaded out, and when I typed in other homepage addresses they kept 'blinking' rather than becoming permanent. I don't know how else to describe it, it just wouldn't let me chose home pages. As well their may be other problems as when I logged in here the connection circle, the little green circle, just kept revolving and I had to do the sign in again. That has never happened on this site; after sign in I am almost instantly connected.
How do I undo this? How can Avast just take over like this? Maybe I should also mention that toward the end of the installation Avast asked if I wanted them to speed up my computer and I said yes. Then a while went by and the screen and icons kind of shook a few times, then I was told to restart, so I did, then a message came on saying I had all these junk files and stuff that had to be eliminated and did I want them to and I said yes. Then a message came up saying I would have to pay for that and giving me 3 payment options. So I declined doing that. Now I am glad I did. I could have been even more messed up.
Please help. I don't want Google as my home page and don't know how to undo this.
alterintel

 

Nevermind, everyone. I fixed it. I had initially gone to internet options but that evidently just pertains to IE. You have to go to FF, then tools, then options, Then under General, under that is 'start up'. Under that click "current page" if you are on the page you want in a second tab; and that page will appear. I went to the homepage I wanted; then went to tools and did the above.
The problem came I think when avast said to pick a browser search provider. I took that to mean a search engine compatible with my browser. I need an 'embarrassed' smilie.

 

No big deal, alterintel.
That is sometimes part of the learning process. :-o
Glad that, in the end, you didn't get stung by any of those "extra features".
When installing any software, it's best to be cautious and observant. I am always wary of any extras or added features and only install the basics.
Those extra features can be added later, if you really want them.
Initially, all you wanted was an effective antivirus, so just stick with that.

 

Mjnc,
Thanks for the understanding. I am beginning to wonder if software 'upgrades' are becoming like 'upgrades' in other product areas. Everytime I see a common product, from cosmetics to food items, shouting that it has been upgraded, I shudder as it has usually become a lesser product. I was happy with my version of Avast but these upgrades are often something you are told you must have in order to be compatible and 'safe'. Well, after the Avast 'upgrade' I am now having other problems in addition to the one I originally posted, which I've fixed. There is a page that comes up when I connect to my usual sites, in this case my primary email provider and another familiar site. It warns that the site has an invalid security signature and so ff has blocked the site and then gives me options, one of which says "get me out of here". Another says do you still want to proceed with all kinds of dire warnings, then makes me do an exception for the site before proceeding. I stopped using IE years ago because this page suddenly began appearing on everything I tried connecting with and I couldn't get past it as ie overrode all of my attempts. Other than doing information research, I only go to my usual sites, all decent. What is this page and why is it now appearing after the avast upgrade??? How does one deal with it? I ran Hitman Pro, just the scanner and didn't see it again. Hitman registered clean, there were tracking cookies. Avast also clean.
So if you kind folks could tell me what this damn page is I'd appreciate it. [Also getting more script errors than usual after the 'upgrade'.
Alterintel

 

I've got Avast free for years and always do a custom install. Then I untick all the boxes which come up and only choose File System Shield and Webshield. I have webmail by my ISP provider which is Yahoo and Norton (for free) is used by the provider so I don;t need the webmail protection from Avast. Firefox has an extension that eliminates advertising in Yahoo Mail but don't remember the name of it. I'm not sure which browser you are using though.

If you want to start anew:

Download Avast free.

In case you want to uninstall Avast free, use their uninstaller: https://www.avast.com/en-ca/uninstall-utility and follow their instructions, including rebooting and install Avast free then afterwards, following the above instructions to avoid headches.

 

Webmail ad blocker(WAB): https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/webmail-ad-blocker/?src=search?

That's the one I use at any rate. Works fine.

 

Yep that's the one and I searched for WAB in AMO and nothing showed up. :-D I don't need that extension though because I never see ads in my ISP Yahoo email.

 

Oma,
I unchecked webshield because there seemed to be an issue with connecting to different internet sites. I may uninstall but had a very difficult time installing Avast and had to come here for instructions. What would help would be to uninstall the upgraded part only, leaving me with the part that worked and didn't have these constant reminders to get more protection; and constant warnings that sites I go on all the time, such as my primary email, are unsafe. Browser is firefox.

 

You need the webshield to be checked for protection!

Did you have to pay for any extras that Avast offered? If not:

go to Programs and Features. Right click on Avast and select CHANGE. A box will come up and untick all the items you don't want/need and follow the instructions what Avast tells you. Hope that this will correct the things that are wrong with Avast. If not, you would need to uninstall and reinstall as per my previous post. Best is to uninstall and start over again.

If still giving problems, there is the Avast forum where they can help you. https://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=2.0

 

- alterintel
Sorry to hear that you are having more trouble.
Avast should work well for you once it is properly installed with appropriate settings.
I used to use Avast and it worked OK for me.

I think you should do a complete uninstall using the link that Oma provided for the Uninstaller and follow those instructions.
You have already been through the process once, so you are somewhat familiar with it and you will not make the same mistakes.

It's imperative that you choose the Custom Install and Uncheck any extras such as toolbars and extra cleaners, etc., including Dropbox.
The Custom Install link is in small type and not and obvious choice.

There is and installation tutorial here that might be helpful.
How to Install Avast Free Antivirus 2015

There is a video there, but much of the time is taken by downloading definition files and such.

It appears that there are now only three shields to select, whereas there used to be eight when I was using it.
Those three are File Shield, Web Shield and Web Shield.
They all should be selected.

Under the Tools column, my recommendation is to select only Rescue Disk and Uncheck all of the others.
Under the Language column, just check English.

Once you get it installed and Registered, you can add your email site to the WhiteList or Exclusion list, whatever it's called, within Settings.

 

alterintel,
I don't know if this applies to Mozilla Firefox. In Internet Explorer an add-on, avast! Online Security, is installed. It's more trouble than any worth. If it's in Firefox, disable it.