Is DuckDuckGo safe?

What is DuckDuckGo?

DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused search engine. Unlike Google, it offers no personalized search results, making it harder to get caught in an information echo chamber. It doesn't profile its users according to their search patterns, and everyone gets the same search results.

While it functions primarily as a web search engine like Google or Bing, DuckDuckGo also has its own apps and extensions for all major operating systems and browsers. DuckDuckGo is a stripped-down search engine, which doesn't offer you many additional features, but instead focuses on its main function — providing a quality and private search experience.

DuckDuckGo also doesn't split its search results across multiple pages. Instead, you've got a single endless scroll. This is way more convenient, as in Google's case, most internet users don't bother looking further than the first page.

Is DuckDuckGo a VPN?

DuckDuckGo is not a VPN, it simply doesn't track you in the same way that Google does. To stay secure and private online, use a VPN.

Is DuckDuckGo safe to use and private?

DuckDuckGo is fairly safe and offers much more privacy than mainstream browsers. First of all, DuckDuckGo's main selling point is your search privacy. This means that DuckDuckGo doesn't collect user data and track you when you search. Unlike Google, it doesn't associate what you look for online with your IP address. That means you won’t be bombarded with personalized ads.

Also, it doesn't collect your search history, so every time you use the engine it’s a fresh start. Of course, the drawback of this is the lack of an auto-suggest function, but that’s a small price to pay for more private browsing. You can also share your personal data with DuckDuckGo search engine, but only if you wish to.

Can you get a virus from DuckDuckGo?

DuckDuckGo is a relatively safe search engine and you can use it without compromising your security. As any other browser, DuckDuckGo is susceptible to viruses, malware, and online threats. Whether or not you’ll get infected very much depends on your common sense and on what you choose to do online.

If you want to browse the internet safely, combine DuckDuckGo with a VPN which will wrap your traffic in encryption.

Protect your data with NordVPN and secure up to six devices.

How does DuckDuckGo make money?

Of course, DuckDuckGo still has to monetize its operations somehow, so it still uses ads based on keywords you type in. If you search for “cat food”, the ads on DuckDuckGo’s search page may reflect that. However, the service won’t remember that you looked up cat food once you navigate to a new page.

It also uses affiliate codes and earns commissions when a user buys a product after searching through DuckDuckGo, or through one of their adverts.

Pros and cons of DuckDuckGo

Pros

• Improved privacy

Privacy is the search engine’s main selling point. DuckDuckGo doesn't store your data or track your habits and search history. It can't pass your information to third parties, leak it, or use it for marketing purposes.

• Additional features

The service offers many handy additional benefits such as readily available weather data, extra features for developers, visible social media bios, loan calculators, and more. Thanks to the privacy policy, you won’t have to deal with targeted ads.

• No targeting or profiling of search results

wherever you are in the world, whatever demographic you belong to, you’ll get the same results.

• It is simple and easy-to-use

Cons

• Less services

DuckDuckGo doesn't offer as many services as Google and other search engines.

• Not as convenient as other search engines

It doesn't have the same market share as Google, so you cannot sync lots of your accounts and services with it.

• No personalization or autosuggestions

This may also be a pro as these features are only possible for Google due to their tracking practices.

Is DuckDuckGo better than Google?

In the DuckDuckGo vs. Google debate, everything depends on your priorities. You’ll be sacrificing some of the convenience Google Search offers, but you’ll have a safer, more private experience. If you value your privacy, DuckDuckGo is better.

Of course, it is hard to avoid Google, and it’s likely that most of your accounts are already synced with this giant. DuckDuckGo offers an excellent opportunity to minimize its use, however, and it’s great to support a service that offers a more transparent search experience.

Since DuckDuckGo doesn’t track its users, nobody knows how many people actually use this browser.

Every time you search for something online, you get the same search results as other users. Google does the opposite: it profiles users and provides search results depending on your search history. Not to mention dozens of irrelevant ads that will follow you after every search query.

Why do you need a VPN too?

• Avoiding online threats. While DuckDuckGo gives you privacy on the search engine level, it doesn't protect you from other online threats. Individual websites or social media platforms can still track you and collect your data, while cybercriminals can target you with social engineering attacks.
• Protecting your internet traffic. Also, your traffic remains unencrypted on DuckDuckGo, so someone can intercept it, see your IP, spy on your traffic, and intercept your private information. Whatever default search engine you’re using, your internet service provider (ISP) can still see what you’re doing and can share this data with third parties. Even worse, if you’re using unsecured Wi-Fi, a cybercriminal could watch your activity from afar and steal your personal information.
• Enhancing your security. We strongly advise you to use a good VPN service. With NordVPN, all your online traffic is encrypted when it leaves your device. The service will also hide your IP, so no one can use it to find your location. Combining DuckDuckGo with NordVPN provides a genuinely secure and private browsing experience.