VeePN Blog VeePN Blog
  • What is VPN?
    • How does a VPN work?
    • Access Content
    • Unblock Websites
    • VPN for Gaming
    • Streaming Media
    • Streaming Music
    • VPN for Netflix
    • Internet Privacy
    • Anonymous IP
    • Conceal Identity
    • Prevent Tracking
    • Save Money
    • Online Security
    • VPN Encryption
    • What’s my IP
    • Hide your IP
  • Apps
    • All Apps
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • TV
    • Router
    • Chrome
    • Firefox
  • Features
    • All Features
    • VPN Servers
    • Double VPN
    • No Log VPN
    • Kill Switch
    • NetGuard
    • Extra Features
  • Pricing
  • Support
Get VeePN Now
Digital identity Safe surfing Mobile security Wireless security Big brother
More categories
Good to know Online threats Entertainment Hackerwatch Cryptocurrency
Digital identity Safe surfing
More
Mobile security Wireless security Big brother Good to know Online threats Entertainment Hackerwatch Cryptocurrency
Digital identity Safe surfing Mobile security Wireless security Big brother Good to know Online threats Entertainment Hackerwatch Cryptocurrency
Get VeePN Now
Blog Safe surfing
What Is DuckDuckGo and How Secure Is It?
Safe surfing
Conspiracy • Upd: Jul 20, 2022
Quick Navigation
1. What is DuckDuckGo?
2. Is DuckDuckGo safe?
3. How does DuckDuckGo work?
4. DuckDuckGo vs. Google
5. Pros and cons of DuckDuckGo
6. DuckDuckGo and VPN
7. Why do people use DuckDuckGo?

What Is DuckDuckGo and How Secure Is It?

If you’re unfamiliar with DuckDuckGo, you may have a lot of questions regarding its function, safety, and cost. We can answer all of that and more. In a digital world where online privacy is paramount, any tools that offer extra protection and enhanced security are worth exploring, so let’s do a deep dive on DuckDuckGo.

If you want even greater defense against snoops, spies, and malicious operators, using a high-quality VPN service is essential. VeePN boasts over 2500 secure servers in more than 70 countries, 256-bit AES encryption, and super-high bandwidth to keep you surfing at speed. The easy-to-use VPN client is a cybersecurity game changer. Simply sign up, download the app, and secure your connection with VeePN.

What is DuckDuckGo?

DuckDuckGo is an internet privacy enterprise primarily known for its search engine, which you can find at DuckDuckGo.com. The company also offers mobile apps and browser extensions that focus on preventing tracking, promoting encryption, and protecting your private data.

DuckDuckGo offers mobile apps for iOS and Android, as well as extensions for multiple browsers. If you’d prefer to use DuckDuckGo without additional software, you can set it as your default search engine within your browser of choice.

DuckDuckGo mobile app

The DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser for iOS and Android is a free download and includes a range of tools the company’s search engine alone can’t provide. The app’s standout features include:

  • Automatic tracker blocking
  • Forced HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) encryption when available
  • A-F Privacy Grades for websites
  • Global Privacy Control to opt out of data sharing and selling
  • One-tap solution to close all tabs and clear browsing data
DuckDuckGo Android welcome screen
DuckDuckGo Android search
DuckDuckGo Android clear all tabs and data

While DuckDuckGo’s search engine can stop other companies from tracking you on its platform, you lose that protection once you enter a third-party website. Therefore, you should utilize specialized browsers, extensions, and other privacy tools, such as a VPN, whenever possible.

DuckDuckGo extension

The DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials extension includes most of the features available in the mobile app, but you can install the add-on in any supported browser. The only notable tool missing from Privacy Essentials is the burn button to close all tabs and remove browsing data. If you do need to quickly clear website data, you’ll need to follow the steps appropriate to the app you use. DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials currently supports the following browsers:

  • Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Opera
  • Safari

As you can see, DuckDuckGo offers apps for Android and iOS along with extensions for most common browsers. But what about Mac and Windows? Has the company forgotten two of the most popular desktop operating systems? Perhaps not.

DuckDuckGo app for Mac and Windows

Several sources, including The Verge, report that DuckDuckGo is working on privacy-oriented browsers for the macOS and Windows operating systems. Early information suggests that the application will come with all security features enabled by default, so you won’t need to go digging through the settings to ensure complete protection.

The browser isn’t available yet and doesn’t currently have a release date, but the product is a logical addition to DuckDuckGo’s already extensive presence across multiple platforms.

Is DuckDuckGo safe?

DuckDuckGo is safe to use. The company never stores personal information, search history, or other data it could potentially share with advertisers or other entities. DuckDuckGo’s strict stance on privacy means zero tracking on its platform and no targeted ads, so you can browse in relative safety and privacy.

Is DuckDuckGo a virus?

DuckDuckGo isn’t a virus. The company provides a privacy-focused search engine, mobile apps, and browser extensions to help users avoid tracking and targeted advertising. Viruses exist for malicious purposes, while DuckDuckGo’s intent falls on the other side of the spectrum, promoting good security practices.

Is DuckDuckGo legit?

DuckDuckGo is a legitimate and valuable tool for anyone concerned about online privacy. Anything that diminishes the impact of less-scrupulous businesses that aim to track you and sell your private data is worth considering, and the company has thus far stayed true to its mission of privacy protection.

How does DuckDuckGo work?

DuckDuckGo protects your privacy by refusing to collect any private information, including browsing habits, search history, and IP address. On top of that, the mobile app and extension provide additional protection by blocking trackers and forcing encryption when available. Because DuckDuckGo doesn’t store any private data, it can’t pass it on to other entities who may choose to misuse it.

Is DuckDuckGo free?

DuckDuckGo is free to use. The company relies on ad revenue to make money but doesn’t sell your information to advertisers or collect data in order to perform targeted advertising. Currently, every DuckDuckGo product, including the search engine, app, and extension, is free to use, and ads are relatively unintrusive.

In general, you should be wary of free services that rely on advertising for profit because they tend to harvest user data and use it for their own gain. However, DuckDuckGo’s pro-privacy stance makes it a rare exception to the rule.

Does DuckDuckGo track you?

While DuckDuckGo has a strict anti-tracking policy and doesn’t collect any private data, it can’t completely prevent someone from monitoring your connection and spying on your browsing habits. For ultimate protection, you should consider adding a VPN with tough encryption, such as VeePN’s super secure AES-256, to hide your actions from prying eyes and curious minds.

DuckDuckGo vs. Google

DuckDuckGo’s privacy features make it a standout service among others, such as those offered by Google, but that doesn’t mean it dominates the competition in all other areas. When it comes to protecting your private data, DuckDuckGo is difficult to beat, but you may be eager to know how it compares to the mighty Google. Let’s find out.

Is DuckDuckGo better than Google?

While DuckDuckGo and Google search engines share some features, they diverge in several meaningful ways. For example, Google doesn’t:

  • Offer legitimate privacy protection
  • Refuse to collect user data
  • Avoid targeted advertising
  • Avoid manipulating search results

However, both search engines offer some similar features, including:

  • Image search
  • Video search
  • Maps
  • News
  • Dictionary definitions
  • Calculations and currency conversions

As you can see, DuckDuckGo offers most of Google’s convenient functions without the blatant invasion of privacy. If you use more obscure Google features, you may notice some missing from DuckDuckGo, but you may also discover new tools not available in other search engines.

Even if online privacy doesn’t concern you, Google’s manipulation of search results means that algorithms decide what each user sees. When you type something into Google’s search engine, the results you receive are different to those of others. The manipulation tactic may not have sinister origins — the company likely means to tailor information to each user — but curated results have the potential to distort reality.

Pros and cons of DuckDuckGo

Whenever you consider switching to a new service or piece of software, you should examine the pros and cons. Once you know what a product can and can’t offer, you’re in a good position to make an informed decision. As with anything, DuckDuckGo does come with both pros and cons, so let’s take a closer look at what the service can offer.

Advantages of DuckDuckGo

Here are some of DuckDuckGo’s advantages:

  • No private data, including IP address, collected and stored
  • No targeted advertising
  • No tracking
  • No manipulation of search results
  • No sharing, selling, or misuse of user data

Disadvantages of DuckDuckGo

Here are some of DuckDuckGo’s disadvantages:

  • Some tools, such as Apple Maps used by DuckDuckGo, don’t function as well as Google versions
  • Organic search results mean finding exactly what you’re looking for can take a little longer
  • DuckDuckGo doesn’t currently have a standalone browser for macOS or Windows

DuckDuckGo’s disadvantages may seem minor to many of us, but anyone accustomed to things working a certain way could find the transition jarring. With that said, as your familiarity with the platform increases, DuckDuckGo becomes a fit and functional service with superior security.

DuckDuckGo and VPN

While DuckDuckGo provides some noteworthy security features, it isn’t a VPN, and it can’t do all of the heavy lifting. If you want to completely conceal your IP address, browsing habits, and other online activities, a reliable VPN service is critical. With a VPN in place, even your internet service provider can’t monitor your connection.

VeePN’s top-tier VPN offers top-grade encryption, no-log policy, and built-in kill switch, making it a standout internet privacy tool. Combine a solid VPN with DuckDuckGo, and you’ll have a formidable online security solution.

Why do people use DuckDuckGo?

People use DuckDuckGo for several reasons, including privacy protection, a lack of targeted advertising, and unmanipulated search results. The service offers many of the same functions as more popular options, such as Google, without all of the sinister data collection and sketchy algorithms.

If you value your privacy, switching to DuckDuckGo and always browsing with a VPN is crucial.

Knowledge is power, VeePN is freedom
Get VeePN Now
30-day money-back guarantee
Written by Conspiracy
Related Posts
What ChatGPT Is: 15 Ideas How You Can Use It in Everyday Life or in Your Workflow
What ChatGPT Is: 15 Ideas How You Can Use It in Everyday Life or in Your Workflow
Good to know 13 min read

What ChatGPT Is: 15 Ideas How You Can Use It in Everyday Life or in Your Workflow

Imagine having a robot at your fingertips that can write and talk to you just like a human advisor. Well, that’s ChatGPT for you, the artificial intelligence (AI) bot that’s taken the Internet by storm. From creating personalized content to handling tedious tasks, this AI tool does it all. In this post, we’ll explore the mind-blowing capabilities of ChatGPT— trust…

VeePN Research Lab
January 31
Guide on How to Access and Use ChatGPT Properly
Guide on How to Access and Use ChatGPT Properly
Good to know 11 min read

Guide on How to Access and Use ChatGPT Properly

Whether you’re struggling with generating unique product descriptions, creating exciting social media posts, or even writing code, ChatGPT can come to the rescue. This new AI-driven chatbot interacts with users in a conventional way and provides human-like answers to your queries. Sounds revolutionary? Indeed, this mind-blowing technology is already changing the way people perceive the creation of original content. However,…

VeePN Research Lab
January 31
Better to Prevent: What Is a Browser Hijacker?
Better to Prevent: What Is a Browser Hijacker?
Online threats 7 min read

Better to Prevent: What Is a Browser Hijacker?

Browsers are our gateway to the wild, wild web. But sometimes browsers can act wild wild themselves. Seeing a strange search engine instead of your homepage? Or lots of annoying ads all over the page? Yeah, your browser might have been hijacked. Read along to find out all about browser hijackers.    What is a browser hijacker? A browser hijacker is…

VeePN Research Lab
January 26
VPN Browser Extension vs Full App: A Quick Guide
VPN Browser Extension vs Full App: A Quick Guide
Good to know 11 min read

VPN Browser Extension vs Full App: A Quick Guide

Looking for a VPN to get your online security in order? Good call! But when you see that your chosen VPN provider has both a dedicated app and a browser extension, you may be wondering — which option to go with? Is a VPN browser extension just enough or will you miss out on something? Read along to find out. …

VeePN Research Lab
January 25
© 2023 VeePN. All Rights Reserved.