Avira Searchfree Toolbar - what is it needed for?

With the Avira Searchfree Toolbar you can extend the free Avira AntiVirus with the Webguard, which is actually only available in the paid version. This practical tip will tell you what the service can do and whether it makes sense for you.

What is the Avira Searchfree Toolbar?

• The Avira Searchfree Toolbar is an add-on for Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers. The extensions are designed to protect you from the dangers of the Internet. This includes malicious websites and downloads.
• The toolbar has a search function that only redirects you to websites that Avira has rated as safe. This means that your anti-virus program does not have to fight dangers in the first place, since you will not be directed to sites that distribute adware, spyware or phishing software.
• The toolbar is not a must. However, the browser add-on has its advantages - especially for people who are not quite familiar with the Internet or feel unsafe when surfing.

The advantages of the Avira Searchfree Toolbar

• The toolbar protects you from the content of a dangerous page before it is called up. If Avira knows that there is malware on this website, access is automatically blocked and the page is not even loaded.
• The toolbar always keeps an eye on the links it contains, even on social networks such as Facebook, Google Plus or Twitter. They will be checked and reported to you in the event of danger.
• Another useful feature is protection against the start of automatic downloads. If you ever get to a dubious website, the download of malware is completed within seconds before you can cancel it. The tool is extremely helpful here.
• Cookies that record your surfing behavior are also blocked by the toolbar. This protects your privacy.

Negative aspects of the Avira Searchfree Toolbar

• Toolbars do not have a good image for many users. Many associate them with useless add-ons that are installed unintentionally. Despite the helpful functions, the toolbar takes up a little space and visually disturbs many users while surfing.
• If you use your own search within the toolbar, only extremely reliable search results will be presented to you. This is a search on the Ask.com website. The counterpart to Google has significantly fewer functions, shows you more advertising and requires a slightly larger changeover if you only used Google beforehand. In addition, Ask.com also has a bad image for many users.
• Many users of the toolbar also want an integrated pop-up blocker, which would add another, useful function to the protection. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

This practical tip explains how to install the Avira Serchfree Toolbar.