What is DuckDuckGo? Why should you prefer DuckDuckGo over other search engines? This guide will clear all your doubts that you might have about DuckDuckGo, providing you with all the necessary details.
Today, we have several internet search engines which we have the option to use for the purpose of searching the web, the most commonly used one being Google.
Through this article, we will help you understand the working of DuckDuckGo with several compelling reasons why you should choose DuckDuckGo over big search engines like Google.
Privacy, being the biggest concern of people using the web today, is very often overlooked by the ordinary search engines which are highly in use today. With DuckDuckGo, you become a smart netizen by ensuring full privacy if your search.
DuckDuckGo is one among the most commonly used internet search browsers keeping search activity privacy of the user in mind.
It provides you with all the services that the big search engines such as Google provide along with respecting the anonymity of your activities online, therefore, giving you an advantage over other search engines.
This article is aimed towards clearing any doubts you might have about the application as well as answer the most frequently asked questions.
Quick Guide: How to Access DuckDuckGo safely from anywhere?
- Subscribe to a VPN like ExpressVPN.
- Download and Install the VPN app for your device.
- Log into your VPN app and connect to a server in the US.
- Visit DuckDuckGo and enjoy untraceable searching safely.
What is DuckDuckGo?
If you are looking for a search engine where you can enjoy all the benefits of the internet without having to worry about breach of privacy, then DuckDuckGo could be the perfect solution to your search.
DuckDuckGo is among the more formidable competitor of Google, the most dominant of search engines today. This is because of the rising consciousness about privacy among people.
The way DuckDuckGo is different from ordinary search engines is that it doesn’t trace any of the user’s personal information. So, it offers you the option of searching the web with full anonymity.
The intentions of the search engine are clear mentioned below the homepage of the website, which says: “Our privacy policy is simple: we don’t collect or share any of your personal information“.
Some Interesting Features of DuckDuckGo
Bio of Social media
The DuckDuckGo allows you to see anybody’s profile on social media without even leaving the search engine as it provides you with all the information of any profile on the page you are using.
It works in the same way for both Google and Gravatar. In the case of Google you need to type G+ whereas in Gravatar you need to type Gravatar itself and after that the username in both the cases.
Another attractive feature of this app is that it allows you to search inside any other site as well. Incase of Google you can only search in a particular site and in that also you need to open the required links for seeing the results.
Whereas the DuckDuckGo allows you to use the own search functions of any site. For example if you want to search something in Linkedin.
You will not be required to open its site and instead will only be required to search LinkedIn and then the username, doing so will allow you to see the search results directly.
App store search and alternatives available
You can search for any app you want to and DuckDuckGo will show you a long list of all the apps of that name. When you click on any of those apps it’s price, description as well as links to access their stores will be mentioned there.
One amazing feature provided by this app is that it can also have alternatives for any app you want to. Whenever you are bored of any app, if you are not finding it comfortable to use that app.
All you need to do is search on Viki and it will provide alternative apps that can be used, for example “alternative to Google Docs”.
You will be shocked to know that it also provides you with alternatives to DuckDuckGo in case you need to search for that.
Allows shortening and expanding of links
There are some short links in which the name of the website is not mentioned which makes it tough for you to find out the exact thing. DuckDuckGo allows you to find out the name of the website in such links.
All you are required to do is type the particular link and add the word ” expand ” in front of the link and then search and it will provide you with the name of the website.
With this it also allows you to shorten any long link, for this you need to add the word “shorten” in front of the link and then search for it and you will get the desired results.
Allows generating passwords
Some people find it very tough to set strong passwords, DuckDuckGo can provide you thousands of strong passwords as per your need.
What you need to do is search for the type of password you are willing to set, for example, searching “Password10” will provide you with various examples of passwords having 10 characters.
You can also search for passwords with numbers in the same manner. It also allows you to generate XKCD-style passwords in case you find it tough to remember your passwords.
This style of passwords are made up of 4 common words which are quite simple and easy for you to remember and very tough for someone to crack. For this you need to search “Random passphrase”.
How can you use DuckDuckGo?
Given below are details for setting up your privacy-focused internet search engines, that is, DuckDuckGo. You can use DuckDuckGo on both your computer as well as your phone.
On android phones
- Search DuckDuckGo on Goggle Play Store
- Tap Install
- Tap Open
- You will be asked if you want to set DuckDuckGo as your default browser app. Choose and click on Set As Default
On iPhones
- Search DuckDuckGo on the app store
- Tap Get
- Confirm download after entering your Apple ID password.
- Tap Open
- You will be asked if you want to set DuckDuckGo as your default browser app. Choose and click on Set As Default
On Chrome extensions
- Open DuckDuckGo on your Google Chrome
- Click on Add DuckDuckGo to Chrome. You will then be taken to Chrome Web Store.
- Tap on Add to Chrome.
- Click on Add Extension when DuckDuckGo asks for permissions.
- The extension will be successfully installed.
- Lastly, click on Start Searching to be taken to the search bar of DuckDuckGo.
How can you access DuckDuckGo safely?
In order to get easy access to this site, you will be required to have VPNs. It is recommended that you make use of a VPN while you visit DuckDuckGo.
- Get a VPN like ExpressVPN.
- Download and install VPN app for your device with which you would like to access DuckDuckGo.
- Log into your VPN App and Connect it to the server in the US.
- Now Visit DuckDuckGo website.
- You can then enjoy uninterrupted web searching safely.
Profoundly used VPNs for DuckDuckGo
1. ExpressVPN – Best security and high speed streaming
Get 49% off now | Try ExpressVPN |
ExpressVPN is the best option to be used if you require a VPN which provides high security as well as high encryption.
The VPN is based on the British Virgin Islands where there are no laws for data retention. Hence, your data will not be kept with the company and no other party could request to access your data which makes it completely private and secure.
OpenVPN, L2Tp-IPSec and IKev2 protocols are used by ExpressVPN which are popular for being the most reliable and safe security protocols.
It has more than 3000 servers in around 94 countries which offer upto 100Mb/s speed of internet. It allows you to stream Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ and many more in the best streaming quality.
They also provide you with the 30 days money back program through which you could easily get your full refund in case you want to withdraw from this VPN.
With this, there is also a feature of live chat available 24/7 to help you deal with all your problems. In case you need, there is also an option which provides you access to a hidden page meant for subscriptions of low price.
2. NordVPN – Affordable prices for unblocking streaming platforms
Get 69% off now | Try NordVPN |
It provides you with a high security level and surety of zero IPv6/ DNS leaks which makes it one of the best and most used VPNs among the long list of VPNs available. It could also provide you with Onion over VPN in case you require more security.
What makes it more attractive is that six connections at the same time are provided on each of the subscriptions in addition with the Netflix streaming. This VPN is known to be the all rounder VPN with the availability of high-speed internet and reasonable price.
It has a simple UI which makes it very easy to use even for beginners. It is popularly used to unblock the contents which are geographically blocked in platforms like Hulu, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney, etc.
One of it’s best qualities is the guarantee of 30 days for returning back the money which makes it riskless. Incase you do not like the app after trying it, you could easily get the 100℅ refund.
Benefits which you with the use of VPNs
1. It helps you keep your streaming activity hidden
To make sure that you are safeguarded from any potential breach of privacy or any other external agent which might be keeping an eye on your activities, get hold of a VPN.
The VPN would be an additional safety layer protecting you from any intrusion. A VPN would hide your home network since it assigns a different IP address.
2. It helps in unblocking geologically-blocked content
Unlocking geographically-restricted content is a compelling reason to use a VPN. You can make use of a VPN to circumvent all geographical restrictions on content.
Some content and media are very often blocked because of censorship or copyright laws. Some countries may also have unique content collections in the libraries. In order to get access to blocked content, you will be required to use a VPN.
3. It is helpful in resolving ISP throttling
All ISPs would restrict your connection speed for the purpose of lowering the usage, thus slowing down your internet speed. The issue of connection and throttling can be overcome by using a VPN.
Get yourself a good VPN, preferably NordVPN, so as to be able to stream your series and movies without facing any connection issues.