Is DuckDuckGo Safe? Everything Parents Need to Know

Nowadays, web searching has become a threat because everything you do on the internet is at risk. Whenever you use search browsing, it tracks your IP address and your browsing history. This is valuable information for different companies. They find out target people for personalizing ads. Even Google and Facebook make a lot of money by showing targeted ads. This is the basic overview of most search engines. But what about the privacy of the users?

Part 1: What Is DuckDuckGo?

DuckDuckGo is a search engine established in 2008. Its priority is the price of the users. It doesn’t collect personal information for your related searches. DuckDuckGo is mainly an independent mobile browser, and desktop users can use it as an extension to the browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla. You can block settings automatically when you install the extension in your browser.

This platform uses a strict pledge that lets you browse the internet without logging your IP address. It allows an advanced encrypted HTTPS version so that there is no search leakage or third-party cookies from the browser. You will experience a quality and private search experience every time, whether using a mobile phone, laptop, or desktop. DuckDuckGo also ensures a single endless scroll that offers more convenient internet usage. It is the best option for those who love simplicity.

Part 2: Is DuckDuckGo Safe to Use and Private?

DuckDuckGo is the best alternative to mainstream search engines. It is gradually gaining popularity as it shows valid information and results from over 400 sources. About 80 million people have used the platform to browse the internet simultaneously. Still, it is hard to say that DuckDuckGo doesn’t collect information. But, the percentage is high if you check out the queries and revenues. Only in 2021 did it answer over 35 billion queries in this browser. We can tell that the user of DuckDuckGo is increasing and becoming a trusted search engine.

DuckDuckGo is a safe platform where you browse safely, and all the data traces disappear instantly. That is the privacy of a user. As an ongoing project, DuckDuckGo has launched the source code for their extension under an Apache 2.0 License. It is an open-sourced software and creates a safe and secure platform for the users. Having access to your data may result in a cyberattack. Almost all search engines don’t have as strong security as DuckDuckGo. This platform ensures safe and private browsing on the web. In this era of big tech, if you want to prevent data farming, then DuckDuckGo is the best solution for anyone.

Part 3: DuckDuckGo Pros & Cons

DuckDuckGo provides a safe browsing experience. Its main goal is to ensure your privacy online. It doesn’t associate you based on your search. Using the platform does have its advantages as well as disadvantages. Here they are:

What We Like about DuckDuckGo

1. Private Search: As we said earlier, most present search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo trace your IP address or searching data and provide you personalized results and link the targeted apps back to you. But DuckDuckGo doesn’t track your search, ensuring ultimate privacy. 

2. Tracker Blocking: DuckDuckGo is the ultimate tracker blocker. It not only blocks the tracker of a search engine but also blocks third-party trackers. These trackers are spread all over the internet to collect user data and sometimes misuse it. But this platform doesn’t let it happen to its users.

3. No Search Leakage: Search engines leak your search history for the same purpose of business which is the actual threat to the users. But there is no chance of search leakage whether your search terms are. Your data on websites remain private. 

4. Ad Blocking: While visiting any website, you can see a bunch of ads on your interface. Well, sometimes they are helpful, but they are annoying too. DuckDuckGo also blocks ads which is a great part of it. Many use extensions for ad blocking. This platform works in the same way. Using this search engine, you can block banner ads and popups in your search result. 

5. Do Not Track:  DuckDuckGo contains a lot of features for giving the best user experience. It has a privacy feature called Global Privacy Control (GPC) that warns the sites you visit not to collect any type of information and personal data. Google Chrome also has the feature called (DNT), but it doesn’t work fully. 

6. Burn Bar:  This feature is only available for the mobile app. Burn Bar is an exciting feature that deletes your browsing data and all cookies from the device when you are done searching. This feature is pretty similar to the Incognito Mode of a search engine. But DuckDuckGo works on a larger scale. It disappears your data from your device, search engine, and the whole internet too. 

7. Cybersecurity:  Cybersecurity is essential when you browse the web. DuckDuckGo has its developed cybersecurity, called Content Security Policy, that prevents certain cyber attacks from malicious sites. It prevents accessing your browser and being safe online. 

8. HTTPS Everywhere: DuckDuckGo forces those sites to bring in front of you that use an encrypted HTTPS connection. This is the ultimate shield that works further from peeping spying on the connection. 

9. Infinite Scroll: DuckDuckGo brings the search result to one page rather than multiple pages. So you can do endless scrolling to find your destination. There are more facilities that we like instant weather data, calculators, etc.  

What We Don’t Like about DuckDuckGo

1. No Search History: Sometimes, the positives of things become the bigger drawback. As DuckDuckGo offers private search, it doesn’t have any search history. So you don’t have personalized suggestions, or if you want to visit the website again, there is no choice until you remember the specific site domain name or start scrolling again to visit the site.  

2. Short of Services:Google offers a wide range of services; unfortunately, DuckDuckGo doesn’t have them. You don’t have the same resources as Google maps, Play store, or Gmail access. Here are the biggest drawbacks that we don’t like about DuckDuckGo.

Part 4: Is DuckDuckGo Safer than Google?

DuckDuckGo is the best alternative to many search engines, especially Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Have a comparative view of DuckDuckGo vs. Google to understand which one is better.

Verdict: DuckDuckGo VS Google

After this comparison, you can see Google offers better search results, services, and personalized data that helps shorten your queries on the web. You may choose or give priority to Google for its comprehensive search features.

But on a big note, if you want to protect your data and privacy, DuckDuckGo is the best option. Though you can’t get the same level of customization as Google, you have all the security terms on the web. There are no personalized ads, search results, or filters.

Part 5: How to Keep Your Kids Safe on DuckDuckGo?

Kids are also users of the web. But the wide range of information is not always appropriate for kids and teens. DuckDuckGo can be a safe place for browsing. It has many privacy settings that help you to filter suitable content for kids.

However, you can monitor your kid’s browsing by accessing the best parental control app, AirDroid Parental Control. It is the best app for monitoring the kids. The bunch of features of this app ensures safe browsing online. It includes screen mirroring, screen time control, app or game blocking, location tracking or viewing the environment in real life, browsing app details, and so on. Using the app, you can customize the filters of DuckDuckGo so that your kids can not access inappropriate content.

How to use:

Step 1. Downloaded the AirDroid Parental Control app from the Google Play Store or App Store.

Step 2. Open it and complete the signup processing.

Step 3. Then, download the AirDroid Kids app on your kid's phone. Pair up with the device with a secret code. Now, you are ready to monitor the activity.

Part 6: Hottest Questions Related to DuckDuckGo Safety

1. Can You Be Tracked on DuckDuckGo?

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DuckDuckGo doesn’t track your information. So you can not be tracked by the search engine. Moreover, it also creates a shield to protect your search from third parties. Still, it is hard to claim it fully.

2. Can You Get a Virus from DuckDuckGo?

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DuckDuckGo uses a content security policy that ensures you don’t get any viruses from this platform.

3. What Are DuckDuckGo Search Safety Precautions？

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DuckDuckGo includes various types of search privacy settings. You can negotiate with them to set the security for you.

4. How Anonymous Is DuckDuckGo?

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DuckDuckGo offers you higher anonymity in this highly monitored internet environment. Actually, the anonymous level is superior in this field.

5. Is DuckDuckGo Owned by Google?

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No, Google doesn’t own DuckDuckGo. Gabriel Weinberg is the founder of DuckDuckGo. He is a Philadelphia-based entrepreneur who is working to make privacy-friendly search engines.

6. What Is the Downside to DuckDuckGo?

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There are a few downsides like DuckDuckGo is not as convenient as Google, it has limited search results as Google, and no personalized results that lengthen your search queries.