DuckDuckGo Review: A Privacy-Focused Search Engine

Protecting your data and privacy is getting more and more crucial. Many people are worried about the privacy of their personal data that search engines collect, such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo. This worry has led numerous people to look for alternatives. The most widely-used among them is DuckDuckGo one that is focused on privacy.

DuckDuckGo is an online search engine which promises secure and safe browsing. The company also provides a privacy-focused browser for mobile devices.

But how safe and trustworthy can you be sure? DuckDuckGo?

In this guide we'll explain everything you should be aware of DuckDuckGo as well as its numerous privacy features.

Let's dive in.

Check Out This Video Tutorial on DuckDuckGo

What Is DuckDuckGo?

DuckDuckGo is a popular search engine that is specifically made for people who wish to safeguard their privacy while using the internet.

DuckDuckGo provides its services in one simple statement: " Same Internet, more privacy."

While DuckDuckGo isn't the world's most popular search engine it has a huge customer base. By 2020, DuckDuckGo offers more than three billion searches monthly and helps users with 5 million or more downloads from mobile apps and desktop computers.

The users of DuckDuckGo are equally thrilled with the website in the sense that DuckDuckGo is rated with an average of 4.8 on Apple and Google Play stores.

Let's learn more information about the history of DuckDuckGo.

DuckDuckGo A Short History

Businessman Gabriel Weinberg founded DuckDuckGo in February of 2008. Weinberg developed DuckDuckGo as a possible alternative to the traditional search engines such as Google as well as Yahoo.

Although the search engine did not gain instant popularity but it did gain the popularity of its users quickly. At the close in 2008, it had become the top of popular websites like Hacker News and Reddit.

In the following decades, DuckDuckGo became famous through several vital campaigns. They included making every visit through DuckDuckGo anonymous, the DontTrack.us website, and the well-known billboard advertising which reads "Google is tracking your movements. We don't."

Following the success of these campaigns, DuckDuckGo's users' base increased.

Following increased scrutiny of the surveillance capitalist system, DuckDuckGo is currently enjoying a resurgence in its popularity. Between 2018 and 2020, the search engine doubled its number of searches from 25 billion to 50 billion search results.

If people are first introduced to DuckDuckGo when they first hear about it, they typically raise their eyebrows at the name. The title "DuckDuckGo" isn't related to search engines. Weinberg created his search engine in honor of the popular game for children "Duck Duck Goose."

The DuckDuckGo Privacy Options

DuckDuckGo is famous globally for its privacy-related functions. Since the early days, DuckDuckGo has cultivated a reputation as an alternative search engine, which values user privacy.

But how exactly does DuckDuckGo protect your personal information? In this section we'll go over the top DuckDuckGo privacy tools and explain how they operate.

DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials Browser Extension

Privacy Essentials Privacy Essentials extension functions as both a search engine and an ad blocker. When you search with the machine, Privacy Essentials blocks any banner ads and popups that would generally appear in the search results.

The extension comes with several inbuilt privacy features. This includes:

• Blocks online tracking via browsers from the websites you visit.
• Your search results are encrypted to protect them from Internet service providers.
• Global Privacy Control (GPC) warns sites not to share or sell information they gather about you.

Untracked Search

One of the most widely-known features offered by DuckDuckGo is "untracked searching." Many search engines track your searches by a number of methods such as data from sites that you visit, the content you do and your IP address browser and device information as well as other. While each data set is anonymized, companies can use them in conjunction to locate your location and even track the user.

DuckDuckGo's untracked search features also are available for websites that you visit.

  How Can DuckDuckGo Guard Privacy If Sites Use Cookies?  

Numerous websites store your information through cookies. Cookies are small text files that can be used to identify you. Websites make use of cookies to learn about the habits you use to browse and display targeted contents.

DuckDuckGo prevents websites from collecting cookies , by blocking their access to your information. Since it doesn't know you, it isn't able to pass that information on.

Grade of Privacy

Privacy Grade is yet another popular DuckDuckGo feature , which works via the browser extension and mobile app. The Privacy Grade feature detects when a site tracks your information and informs you of this when you browse.

Privacy Grade does two things:

1. It determines how many requests for tracking it has blocked from its website.
2. It examines the conditions of service with the following ToS:"DR" stands for Don't Read. (Terms of Service: Didn't Read).

After you've been awarded each web site's score, you'll be able to see the trackers that they tried to place on the user.

DuckDuckGo will also show you the impact of its privacy features. If it assigns you an assessment, it will show you a bar with "Enhanced between __ and __" (e.g., "Enhanced from D to B"). The first grade in red is the original grade, and the second grade, in green, is an one that has been adjusted by the security features.

Burn Bar

To use Burn Bar to access Burn Bar in the DuckDuckGo application, simply click on the flame icon visible at the bottom of the screen.

Blocking embedded social media content

Since social media has become an integral part of daily life for the majority of internet users, many websites are now embedding the social media content such as Youtube videos into their web content.

This creates a privacy problem that raises the eyes of many internet users.

Whenever a website embeds a social media post, that social media platform will collect information about the person who viewed it -- including your IP address.

That means two different third parties are collecting your information: the website that you have visited as well as the embedding social media site.

This feature is now available in DuckDuckGo's browser extension and mobile apps.

Search Leakage Prevention

DuckDuckGo makes use of the term "search leakage" to explain how search engines like Yahoo, Bing, and Google connect your information.

Whenever you click on a new hyperlink, the search engine will share tiny bits of information with the site you clicked on. These tiny pieces of information make a record of your data which allows search engines and other websites to keep track of your activities.

To prevent this from happening, DuckDuckGo protects its users with two strategies.

In addition, DuckDuckGo shows an encrypted copy of websites you click. This strategy prevents the website from acquiring any personal information regarding you. DuckDuckGo basically creates a block in between your and the website.

No User Profile Collection

Google and other search engines such as Google create a visual representation of who you are by creating a "user profile." The profile of the user describes general information about you, including your

• Age
• Gender
• IP address
• Device

Search engines pair this data with your browsing habits and cookie history that allow them to generate an idea of and capitalise on your passions.

Since the privacy options of DuckDuckGo prevent the site from collecting identifying data concerning you or your searches as well as allowing you to surf online without having a profile. This option is great for those who want to avoid personalized advertisements.

It also comes with a benefit: it eliminates filters bubbles. If you're trapped in an "filter bubble" your search engine is able to prioritize the results of your search based on the profile of your user. Since filter bubbles may limit your searches, browsing on the web without having a user profile helps you get more complete results.

Tor Exit Enclave

Tor is an online browser that lets users surf the internet in anonymity. When you utilize Tor, your searches route through various servers that are encrypted.

This makes it virtually impossible for anyone else to monitor your online activity, because numerous layers of encryption guard your browsing data.

DuckDuckGo assists users to browse the web through Tor through the operation of an Tor exit enclosure. The enclave lets users use DuckDuckGo via Tor fast, and without losing the privacy of their browsing.

To use DuckDuckGo's Tor exit enclosure, you'll need download Tor and use DuckDuckGo's search engine.

Content Security Policy Reports

Like many other internet companies DuckDuckGo's search engine safeguards users from harmful websites by using the Content Security Policy (CSP).

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CSP's interact with your browser to identify and stop third-party websites which could launch a cybersecurity attack on you.

DuckDuckGo's CSP guards you against a range of attacks, which include:

• Cross-Site-Scripting (XSS) attacks The website that is injected with malicious and unwelcome malware into the browser of your computer during these kinds of attacks.
• Clickjacking attacks during these attacks, an attacker tricks you into clicking on something malicious.

DuckDuckGo's CSP feature operates through their search engine, meaning you are able to use it via DuckDuckGo.com as well as the Privacy Essentials browser extension, as well as the mobile app.

Why DuckDuckGo Is Better to Protect Your Security

In the preceding section, we covered plenty of the privacy options offered by DuckGo. What is the reason why DuckDuckGo superior for overall privacy?

Ultimately, DuckDuckGo gives users some of the privacy and security advantages of more invasive solutions like Tor but without affecting your internet browsing performance.

That said, DuckDuckGo isn't a perfect tool.

DuckDuckGo Privacy Concerns

DuckDuckGo is a beneficial technology, however users have some concerns with it. This section will briefly outline two issues.

Affiliate Links

Furthermore, its affiliate links are automatically applied to purchases made on Amazon or eBay. When DuckDuckGo uses an affiliate link it pays the company a commission on the amount you spend.

While this does give DuckDuckGo access to your purchase data (like what you bought) however, it is not able to access any identifying data (like your shipping address).

Localized Results

Although DuckDuckGo doesn't use your IP address to search, the engine uses your location data whenever you use search keywords such as "Thai restaurant near me." Particularly, DuckDuckGo uses a GEO::IP lookup that approximates the location of your.

Sometimes , the data is highly precise, but at sometimes, it's not.

In the pop-up, it is stated that DuckDuckGo does not store information about your location within its servers.

How to maximize privacy with DuckDuckGo

While DuckDuckGo offers users a some degree of security however, there are other ways to get the most out of the technology. Here are some suggestions for you to start:

• Download The DuckDuckGo browser extension and switch on the privacy settings for all settings.
• Verify the privacy rating of websites that you frequent.
• Download the mobile app and then press its "burn" button at the end of each session on the internet.
• Use Tor with DuckDuckGo as an exit enclosure.

How DuckDuckGo compares with other Search Engines

If you are considering trying DuckDuckGo, you may be wondering how it compares to Google, Bing, and Yahoo.

DuckDuckGo Vs Google

Although DuckDuckGo's search engine has functions similar to Bang searches, it's not able to deliver you the same level of customization as Google.

If you require extensive options for searching, then you may opt for Google However, if value your data privacy, you may prefer DuckDuckGo.

DuckDuckGo Vs Bing

DuckDuckGo's image search features don't stack up to Bing's, but it does offer anonyme browsing.

DuckDuckGo Vs Yahoo

Yahoo is a highly flexible search engine. It allows users to alter the user interface according to their preferences, and provides personalized ads. Yahoo Search also works well alongside other Yahoo products , such as Yahoo News as well as Yahoo Mail.

DuckDuckGo, Bing, and Yahoo have similar search engine functionality, but the most appropriate choice for you is contingent on your personal privacy preferences and habits online.

How to Install DuckDuckGo

Now that you know more about DuckDuckGo Let's get into the search engine itself.

The three methods that you can utilize DuckDuckGo.

1. DuckDuckGo.com
2. A browser extension
3. The company's iOS and Android applications are available for both platforms.

Below are the steps to using each choice below.

DuckDuckGo Browser Extension

  Google Chrome  

1. Follow the link below to go to the Chrome store.
2. Select "Add to Chrome" on the right-hand side of your screen.
3. Select "Add Extension" when prompted.
4. Then wait for Chrome to download DuckDuckGo.

  Mozilla Firefox  

1. Follow this link to Mozilla Add-Ons.
2. Click "Download Firefox and get the extension."
3. Click "Confirm" at the prompt.
4. You must wait for Mozilla Firefox to install DuckDuckGo.

  Microsoft Edge  

1. Follow this link to access the Microsoft stores..
2. "Get" Click "Get."
3. Simply click "Add Extension" at the prompt.
4. You must wait for Microsoft Edge to install DuckDuckGo.

  Opera  

1. Follow this link to go to the store for Opera Add-Ons.
2. "Download Now "Download Now."
3. Confirm your download.
4. You must wait until Opera to install DuckDuckGo.

  Safari  

1. Use this link for the Mac App Store.
2. Click "Get the App."
3. Confirm your download.
4. You must wait until Safari to download DuckDuckGo.

  Internet Explorer  

DuckDuckGo's extension isn't currently available for Internet Explorer. If you'd like to use DuckDuckGo with Internet Explorer, you can configure DuckDuckGo as your preferred search engine via:

1. You can visit "DuckDuckGo.com"
2. Clicking "Make this my default search service."
3. "Add" by clicking "Add"

DuckDuckGo.com

If you're brand new to DuckDuckGo, then you may want try the search engine prior to downloading it.

You can use the search engine on the website " duckduckgo.com." After that, use DuckDuckGo just like every other search engine.

As you can see from the below image, DuckDuckGo doesn't mark your results in search with numbers. Instead, it offers the option to see "More Search Results" or turn on infinite scrolling.

It is also possible to change your search preferences in the top right corner of your page.

DuckDuckGo's search engine also has a search function known as "Bang!". Bang searches allow you to search inside a domain quickly. These searches generally employ the form "! (shortcut): (search term)", where the "shortcut" refers to the web site.

• "!gimg:" -- is used to perform Google image searches
• "!nf:" -- used for Netflix search results.
• "!giphy:" -- used for Giphy search results.
• "!hulu:" -- used for Hulu Searches

DuckDuckGo Mobile Apps

DuckDuckGo currently has two mobile applications that are available for iOS devices and another that is available for Android.

For downloading the iOS device, all you need to:

1. Go to the Apple app store.
2. Find "DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser."
3. The app will take a while to download.

For downloading the Android app, you just need to:

1. Go to Google Play to access Google Play store.
2. Look up "DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser" (or click here).
3. Click "Install" and then confirm the download.
4. Wait for the app to download.

After you've downloaded the app then you're able to start browsing or follow our earlier instructions to enable DuckDuckGo as your primary search engine.

Summary

The DuckDuckGo app is an excellent Google, Bing, and Yahoo alternative for anybody looking to surf the internet in a secure manner.

The best DuckDuckGo features are its ad-blocking browser extension, untracked browsing, Burn Bar, Tor exit enclave, and privacy grade.

What else do you like in DuckDuckGo? Tell us about it in the comments!

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