Netcraft Toolbar for Windows

Used Netcraft Toolbar for Windows?

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffNovember 7, 2008

With seemingly endless page after page of security information as its weapon, Netcraft Toolbar provides in-depth details on the phishing efforts of Web sites. This free toolbar monitors the sites you visit using Internet Explorer. Its database stores the attributes of any given site and gives ratings based on reports made by users. Along the bar, you'll be able to see how long a visited Web site has been around, its rankings among the most-visited Web sites, a detailed site report, and the managing host's history.

Each page has multiple links, so you can go from page to page, reading up on the history of sites and their Web servers. You can report phishing sites for analysis and bugs. Unfortunately, the tool does nothing to actually block sites deemed guilty of phishing. Still, Netcraft Toolbar is great for those wanting to know the background of any given Web site.

What’s new in version 1.8

Version 1.8 features updated certificate (valid until 2009).

Netcraft Toolbar for Windows

Used Netcraft Toolbar for Windows?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: September 20, 2007

Latest update: November 7, 2008

Version: 1.8

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 2000
Windows 10
Windows XP

Additional Requirements: Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server, Internet Explorer 5.5

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 22,525

Downloads Last Week: 2

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Last Updated

User Reviews

2.8/5

16 User Votes

good
bagusyudiJuly 13, 2008
Pros
Cons
Summary
hey, i like it
special magicApril 27, 2008
Pros
anti phishing tool, lets me know which sites wanna take me on a fishing trip with Andy and Opie.lol
Cons
i wish they would team up with google so i could avoid the bad sites before i even go on them the way Mcafee site advisor does, but other thanb that this is cool
Summary
Easily visible protection from rougue websites
Steve BridgerSeptember 23, 2007
Pros
The toolbar sits in your web browser and provides a risk rating which can warn you of sites to avoid.
Cons
Summary
Not ready for prime time
jellojerrySeptember 13, 2007
Pros
I like what it's supposed to do for my security.
Cons
I don't like how it plays: slows down browser (IE7); must use Task Manager to close browser window; and locked up my PC.
Summary
Causes Problems
dgsissonJuly 9, 2007
Pros
Nice Idea
Cons
When installed, about 2/3 of my Tools drop down list vanishes. Also, many additional icons vanish from the toolbars and they are no longer available to reinstall via the right-click "Customize". This is in the initial FireFox window opened. If an additional window is opened, the icons are back. But when all windows are closed and FireFox is reopened, the icons vanish again.
Summary
Is it Spyware?
Xombie11February 21, 2007
Pros
So far, so good. Netcraft toolbar is a noteworthy program that really gets its job done. And you can't argue with free.
Cons
It has been flagged by popular antispyware programs (such as a-squared) and has appeared in multiple spyware databases as a trojan capable of: <p> * Keeping watch on the users browsing activity. <p> * Creating cookies to track user. <p> * Slowing the browser. <p> * Changing the default search settings. <p> * Communicating with the host server. <p> * Showing popup ads. <p> <p>I don't know if this is necessarily true, but I did uninstall it just in case. <p> <p>In addition, I don't really care for the GUI of the toolbar. The Firefox add-on is in need of some serious anti-aliasing. I found that you can hide the toolbar yet leave it enabled and that worked out fairly well.
Summary
CNET is losing credibility with me
johnnyincentxFebruary 21, 2007
Pros
How could their official review leave out that this is free because it's is or will be advertising supported. <p>Free to most people is along the lines of spybot search and destroy, adaware Etc. who do not contain ads in the program. <p>When a product's "free" status is dependent on a person handing over a bit of their screen to a company in return for a product it is NOT FREE. You are bartering for it. <p>CNET needs to stop pretending like this makes no difference. <p>This is an AD-supported bit of software, and for many people it may well be worth it, but this fact should be absolutely clear. <p>As far as those who say nothing in life is truly free, check out the software I mentioned, and finally. If it is not a questionable practice then why are the company and CNET determined NOT to mention this at all anywhere. <p>Being "ad supported" is NOT wrong (google is) BUT it is wrong to NOT BE HONEST about it. And considering the habits of 99.9% of computer users, IT IS DISHONEST to ONLY DISCLOSE this in the license agreement. This means people will install, and then suddenly find themselves with a computer that dedicates a small part of the screen to adverts from netcraft, and be totally clueless. <p>To say "buyer beware" is a copout. It's clear any software company who relies on "informing the consumer" with a "blurb in the license agreement" is only trying to use the bad habits of consumers against them in order to pull a fast one. <p>Be honest, be upfront and you will get the credit due you from people who choose freely to use the product with the advertising, but doing this just ensures a lot of annoyed users, who feel tricked and deceived and will spread the word Netcraft is not to be trusted.
Cons
They need to be upfront and clear that while free, you are going to surrender a bit of your screenspace while surfing to them in order for them to feed you advertising.
Summary
Excellent Phishing Protection
Reborn masterFebruary 20, 2007
Pros
Net craft provides the best phising protection there is.It's easy to use.Blocks many phishing, pharming and online fraud websites.It also shows which countries are hosting phishing scam.
Cons
None.
Summary
Displays incorrect information
webrunner69March 21, 2006
Pros
Fast and free
Cons
Shows the server owner not the site owner so if a scammer creates a phishing site in a reputable server (geocities) Netcraft says it's Legit! <p>Try CallingID Toolbar instead.
Summary
Great tool, but slows down browsing.
CableguyTKJanuary 21, 2006
Pros
Its free. <p>Provides a layer or protection that you don't get with antispyware programs, antivirus programs, firewalls or spywareblaster...that being AntiPhishing. <p>Brings an AntiPhishing filter to IE6. <p>The name is synonymous with internet safety/security.
Cons
Slows down internet browsing. <p>Doesn't do anything but provide ratings from Netcraft's website. <p>Search bar only searches Netcraft's site. <p>A lot of the ratings it provides are way off. A lot of false positives. Says some sites are bad when they are perfectly safe.
Summary

Developer’s Description

See hosting location of every site you visit and protect yourself from phishing attacks.

The Netcraft Toolbar uses Netcraft's enormous databases of Web site information to show you all the attributes of each site you visit on the Web, including the sites' hosting location, country, longevity and popularity. It also mobilises the Netcraft community into a giant neighbourhood watch scheme to empower the most alert and experienced members to protect the vulnerable against fraud and phishing attacks.

Version 1.8 features updated certificate (valid until 2009).