What Is the Difference Between a Web Browser and a Search Engine?

The difference between a Web Browser and a Search Engine confuses many users. We often talk to people who have problems with their email, their website or their computer. Once they explain the problem and we find its source, we ask them to follow our instructions to fix it. Although we try to give instructions that are simple for everyone to understand and carry out, a significant share of customers are unable to follow them. (Perhaps we are to blame and do not explain things well.)

A common problem is not understanding how a Web Browser works and how to use it, and wrongly treating it as the same thing as a Search Engine. That is why below we explain the differences between a Web Browser and a Search Engine, so that the reader understands what each one does and can do.

What is a Web Browser?

A Web Browser is a program that lets its user access, retrieve and view information from the internet.

The information it can “browse” ranges from text and images to video and audio.

There are many Web Browsers to choose from. For your own safety, we would suggest sticking with the best-known ones and using an Ad Blocker.

We recommend downloading and installing uBlock Origin. It suits users who do not know much as well as users with deep knowledge of Web Browsers. It will spare you a lot of unwanted incidents.

How does a Web Browser work?

The user enters an internet address, the so-called URL (Uniform Resource Locator), in the large bar called the Address Bar at the top of the Browser, for example konet.gr (Careful: not the small one at the top right that says “Search”). When they press Enter on the keyboard, the Browser receives the code of that website and turns it into a form the user can navigate.

In short, the Web Browser is a translator that translates computer code into something you can easily use and understand.

What is a Search Engine and how does it work?

A Search Engine is a program that looks for web pages based on the keywords the user gives it.

The engine takes these words, runs through the huge database it holds, finds the information related to the words you gave and shows it to you.

The purpose of a Search Engine is to find the information you want. It can find the website you are looking for, the video or song you want, or information about the latest events in your area and around the world.

So what is the difference between a Web Browser and a Search Engine?

Basically, we use a Web Browser to access specific information on the internet, while we use a Search Engine to point us to the best information (according to its own algorithm) for the keywords we gave it.

To use a Search Engine you have to use a Web Browser. But you can use a Web Browser without using a Search Engine.

So how should we use each one?

If we know the website we want to see, we type its address in the Address Bar, the large bar at the top of the Browser, for example konet.gr .

If we do not know the website we want to see but are looking for some information in general, we type the keywords related to that information either in the small bar our Browser may have at the top or in the large bar in the middle. All Browsers today will show you relevant websites.

Tips for using search engines and web browsers

For greater safety while browsing the internet and for the best display of the websites you visit, we recommend using the well-known Web Browsers.

Important Note: Both Web Browsers and Search Engines track you and unfortunately there is nothing you can do about it.

Also, make sure you get a good Antivirus and Antispam program. As with everything you buy, the saying “you get what you pay for” applies here too. Look for deals online and buy an annual subscription to a good Antivirus.

There are few good Antivirus programs (1, to be exact, is the one we would recommend) and their annual subscription costs between €20 and €60. For less than €2 a month, about the price of a coffee, you can give your system significant protection.

Warning! Avoid all “free” Antivirus programs! They do not protect you effectively, they are responsible for installing unwanted and often malicious software on your computer, and they demonstrably track you and sell your data. If you already use one of them, uninstall it right away!

Repairing your computer if it gets infected by a virus can cost you dearly, because besides the time you will need to fix it, you are almost certain to lose valuable files during the format.

If you try to move files from an infected computer to an external drive or a USB stick, the drive or USB stick is almost certain to get infected too, and then any computer you use it on. 99% of viruses are only fully removed from your computer by reinstalling the operating system, the so-called format we mentioned earlier. Prevention is always a better choice than cure.

Finally, however old your system or computer is, always make sure your Web Browser is fully up to date, and try to learn to recognize and avoid websites that are suspected of carrying malware that could infect your computer.