Connecting

[sir.prize]

Am using Firefox with Google as homepage. When I click on Firefox icon on desktop, the screen goes white and a green 'connecting' circle turns repeatedly for up to 15 seconds before Google (my home page) opens. Then I type website into Google and again there is a 10 second wait while the green circle searches. This has only started happening today. Usually connection is prompt. Anyone any ideas? Thank you.

[sir.prize]

Thank you methyl for your response.

I am using AVG Free version.
The 'connecting' problem does not only happen when starting from cold. It seems to be a constant problem. The green circle (top left of page) is repeatedly rotating, even while I type this comment. Eventually the green circle is replaced by the AnswerBank logo. Changing from one thread to another is now taking about two minutes.