20 Browser Toolbars Everyone Accidentally Installed
Here's a look back at 20 notorious browser toolbars that people installed by accident, often through sneaky software bundles.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
In the early days of the internet, browser toolbars were aggressively bundled with software and quietly slipped into people’s computers. Many promised fun extras, security, or quick links, but ended up slowing browsers, hijacking searches, and frustrating users. This list revisits 20 real toolbars that became digital clutter almost everyone encountered at least once.
1. Ask Toolbar
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Ask Toolbar often came bundled with free software, slipping into browsers without people noticing. Once installed, it changed your homepage and search engine to Ask.com. Many users found it difficult to fully uninstall, making it one of the most notorious toolbars of the 2000s.
2. Yahoo Toolbar
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Yahoo Toolbar was widely distributed with software downloads and frequently pre-checked in installation boxes. It promised quick links to Yahoo services, but it slowed browsing. Many users installed it unintentionally while trying to rush through setup screens.
3. Google Toolbar
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Google Toolbar was one of the more legitimate ones, but still often slipped into browsers through bundled installers. It provided search integration and quick access to Google tools. Even though it was less intrusive, it annoyed users who did not intentionally install it.
4. AOL Toolbar
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The AOL Toolbar gave direct links to AOL Mail, news, and chat services. It often came as part of AOL software or bundled with partner programs. For many, it became unnecessary clutter that hogged valuable browser space.
5. Bing Toolbar
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Microsoft’s Bing Toolbar aggressively promoted the Bing search engine. Many people discovered it after installing Internet Explorer updates or free programs. Its auto-install reputation gave it a spot on the list of toolbars no one meant to have.
6. Babylon Toolbar
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Babylon Toolbar was notorious for hijacking browsers with aggressive tactics. It set Babylon Search as your default engine and was extremely stubborn to remove. Many users found themselves trapped with it after installing translation or dictionary software.
7. AVG Security Toolbar
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Packaged with AVG antivirus, this toolbar promised safer browsing and quick scans. Unfortunately, it often installed by default, even when users thought they had unchecked the option. It slowed down browsing speed, frustrating those who only wanted antivirus protection.
8. Conduit Toolbar
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Conduit was infamous for being bundled with countless freeware applications. Once installed, it altered search settings and flooded browsers with ads. Its persistence made it one of the hardest toolbars to fully eliminate.
9. MyWebSearch Toolbar
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The MyWebSearch Toolbar often came with fun screensavers, cursors, and smiley packs. Despite its playful packaging, it cluttered browsers and redirected searches. It became one of the earliest examples of adware disguised as a helpful tool.
10. Comcast Toolbar
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Comcast pushed its own toolbar to customers, offering easy access to email, account info, and services. While useful to some, many installed it by accident when setting up their internet. It slowed browsers and rarely felt worth the extra space.
11. SweetIM Toolbar
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SweetIM promised users fun smileys and emoticons for messaging platforms. Hidden in its installer was a toolbar that modified your homepage and search provider. Many users installed it just to get emojis, only to regret it later.
12. FunWebProducts Toolbar
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This was the umbrella company behind MyWebSearch and other add-ons. The toolbar came with themes, screensavers, and cursors. Unfortunately, it was also filled with adware functions, and most users never meant to install it.
13. ZoneAlarm Security Toolbar
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ZoneAlarm bundled its toolbar with security software, promoting safer browsing. The problem was that many users didn’t realize it would change their browser’s layout. It was often uninvited and unnecessary for people who just wanted the firewall.
14. Nero Toolbar
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Nero, best known for its CD-burning software, quietly offered a browser toolbar in its setup. Many users clicked “Next” too quickly and ended up with it. It was rarely useful and was quickly removed once discovered.
15. Dealio Toolbar
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Dealio promoted itself as a money-saving tool, showing price comparisons while shopping online. Unfortunately, it was bundled aggressively and hijacked search settings. Users looking for discounts often found they paid the price in annoyance.
16. SmileyCentral Toolbar
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SmileyCentral let users add animated emoticons to chats and emails. To get them, though, you had to accept its toolbar. Most people didn’t realize they were also getting ads and browser changes along with their smileys.
17. IncrediMail Toolbar
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IncrediMail was known for flashy email designs and animations. The installer included a toolbar that changed search engines and added buttons to browsers. Users who wanted pretty emails often got an unexpected browser hijacker instead.
18. EarthLink Toolbar
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EarthLink provided a toolbar that connected users to their email, news, and ISP services. It was often installed automatically when setting up EarthLink internet software. For those who didn’t want it, it was just another unwanted toolbar.
19. PeoplePC Toolbar
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Like EarthLink, PeoplePC included a toolbar to make its services easier to access. It came bundled with ISP setup software and inserted itself into browsers. Most users saw it as unnecessary clutter once installed.
20. NetZero Toolbar
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NetZero’s free internet service came with its own toolbar. It promised easy logins, quick access to email, and promotions. For most users, it was just another space-consuming toolbar they didn’t ask for.