Hello soaplady, Firefox is a browser not a search engine. But it's homepage sometime have a search box with a logo of Firefox. While you start searching on that box, it redirects you to your default search engine like Google or Yahoo, So you have some misconception here. And Firefox's default homepage changes frequently because it's a dynamic design. However you can see this article to modify your homepage: How to set the home page.

I understand what you're saying, but then why has Firefox been the search engine up until today???? I never saw anything that said Google, Yahoo, etc. etc. Only firefox and next to each thing I was searching I would get a report from Norton Antivirus that the site was safe or not, I no longer see that either. I don't know much about computers but I know that Firefox was searching for me, or so it seemed. I'm really confused. It was like that for ages. NOw it's gone

Then from very beginning you may have used some sort of addons, which showed you that you're searching with Firefox. But there was never a search engine called Firefox. And as you refreshed your Firefox, that addon was removed. And the second issue is also the same, you may have the Norton safe search toolbar.

Is there anyway I can go back to having the searching done by either Firefox or Norton?? If not, what search engine would you recommend for the best privacy, one that does not track every single site you visit and is still fast and efficient. I thank you for your help.

Now the point is you were never using Firefox or Norton. Because they aren't search engine. So may be previously you were tracked! Now, to be honest almost every search engine keeps some of your data. However you may give a try to DuckDuckGo which may not that much efficent but it doesn't track your data. Use the Search bar in Firefox and manage search engines will help you to set DuckDuckGo as search engine.

Ok, I will give that a try. Have you ever heard of off-shore search engines?? A friend told me that there are some overseas companies that offer no-tracking search engines with good privacy. Are you familiar with any of them?

I'm not sure actually but DuckDuckGo is respected for not tracking and privacy. See this: https://duckduckgo.com/about

I've never heard of that one but I'm going to give it a try. I appreciate your help. I'm not a high tech person at all, I have one computer (about 13 years old) and no other devices, not even a cell phone. That's by choice! I use my computer for very basic things, but I'm also have a website and have to work on updates , etc. etc. using a do-it-yourself webdesign company so it's fairly easy.

You could say I'm one of those stubborn dinosaurs who is not comfortable living with all the technology that seems to be overwhelming us on a daily basis, but so far I've gotten along quite well without it. Many thanks again for all your help, you are obviously knowledgable in these matters where I am not. You've been a big help in clarifying the problem. Soaplady www.catsinthecradlesoap.com