With so many toolbars from trustworthy providers available these
days, it's difficult to know which one is right for you. First, it's
important to note that not all toolbars are crafted equal. There are
standard toolbars that will block pop-ups and give you easy access to
new Web content. There are also toolbars specifically designed to
help the user in downloading video or other similarly specific
functions. Finally, there are toolbars you'll want to avoid at all
cost, such as adware toolbars that can infect your PC and lead to
computer crashes or identity theft.
Standard Toolbar
Many of the biggest names in search engines offer their own
toolbars to aid in web searches. Features of these toolbars typically
include the ability to fill out forms with one click, one-click
access to your e-mail, local traffic and weather information. You can
also save searches and webpages and get quick and easy access to
staple sites like eBay and Facebook. For instance, the Zugo
toolbar will connect you to Facebook or Twitter with just one click.
Video Toolbar
This video toolbar is pretty self-explanatory. It allows the user
to download video files with one easy click, though you have to use
your own video player or download one. The downside of the video
toolbar is a lack of access to some of the things mentioned above
with standard toolbars. All you can really do with these is download
video. You can find these toolbars
available for a free download with the typical video toolbar about
6.0 MB in size. It's also possible to have overlapping toolbars, one
on top of the other, to combine the features of a standard toolbar
with a video toolbar.
Adware Toolbar
Image via Wikipedia
This is the toolbar you absolutely want to avoid. These are
usually installed accidentally, and if used, the toolbar will begin
to track all your Internet searches and movements. Your search habits
are transmitted to a main hub of sorts where ads designed to target
your habits are transmitted back to you. There are a whole slew of
these adware toolbars, and most of them will claim to give protection
for your computer as they do anything but protect. These toolbar
installations will result in endless pop-ups
and invasion of privacy, so remove them as quickly as possible if you
think you've got one on your computer.
Toolbars are a great way to organize your favorite websites in one
convenient place. The trick is to familiarize yourself with the basic
functions and be on alert for excessive pop-ups, especially those
which seem to target your exact surfing habits. Remember, you're not
stuck with any particular toolbar, and they are typically very easy
to uninstall.
Posts
Follow
