DuckDuckGo Can Now Protect You While Browsing
With a browser extension and app that blocks trackers, forces encryption and reviews the terms of service.
![DuckDuckGo-Privacy.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmdJXQCFK8ZbaBCDJTryGUomRmGKKTQCbQfaV9K8V44fia/DuckDuckGo-Privacy.jpg)
image source
I'm a geek for cyber-security and all tools and hacks you can apply to protect yourself online. Naturally I am long time fan of DuckDuckGo - my privacy-conscious search engine. For many years, DuckDuckGo has served as a secure alternative to the ever present Google engine, providing anonymous searches to it's expanding user base.
This week the company took their efforts to the next level and launched a browser extension and a mobile app.
The Internet landscape
Do you know the feeling, when you are working on something and that nosey aunt Kathy leans over you shoulder and starts observing your every move? That's what browsing the internet feels like today. Unfortunately, it's not good ol' aunt Kathy being nosey, but Mark Zuckerberg & Friends, Google, Amazon and the rest of the internet mafia lot. The amount of work they've put into designing the most sophisticated tracking algorithms is terrifying. The lack of user consent and transparency, often deliberate concealment is disgusting. The way the collected information is then sold to third-party marketing companies is beyond repulsive.
DuckDuckDo to the rescue
This week the super-awesome team released a new product that will make online-privacy easy. The Browser extension is available for the prominent browsers Firefox, Safari and Chrome. It comes packed with features likes tracker network blocking, smarter encryption and, obviously: private search. For the mobile platforms the app is available for iOS and Android.
![duckduckgo-app_rsz.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmVpT9refyxUQGQTHiLdpP1vQebbMoWKPE4hwqWWX3Wd8P/duckduckgo-app_rsz.jpg)
Error 404: Zuckerberg Not Found
image source
More awesomeness: The extension will provide a Privacy Grade (A-F) for each website you visit. (About time they get schooled, isn't it?). This rating system is designed by DuckDuckGo and takes many factors in account like the amount and type of trackers found on the site and other website privacy measures. Of course, you can dig further into the details by clicking through the extension interface.
The interface reminds me of Ghostery, similar anti-tracker extension, and I dare say the DuckDuckGo one looks neater and is easier to install and configure.
Features
Here is a summary of the features you will find in the app/extension:
Block Trackers
Find out which major advertising networks are lurking on the site and block them.
Increase Encryption Protection
Automatically switch to encrypted browsing, if the website offers this capability.
Decode a Website’s Privacy Policy
DuckDuckGo has integrated the policy scores of the Terms of Service Didn't Read team. They review terms & conditions and provide you with quick insights about the way your data is handled.
Search Privately
Lat but not least, the original feature that let's you search the web anonymously, without sacrificing your privacy.
Here is a peek of me test-driving
![independent.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmXbLpZ7u6j5ixm28HQ5JdjrgQXgnpMeXeUW26tNGKrV1Q/independent.png)
DuckDuckGo is not just a search engine anymore - It's a cyber-spacesuit.
Get yours here: https://duckduckgo.com/app
Information source:
https://spreadprivacy.com/privacy-simplified
More Articles like this:
Do you want learn how to build ultre secure passwords? (Read article)
Do you want to learn about zero-day exploits? (Read article)
- Nick ( @cryptonik ) -
![Cryptonik-Logo](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmb3SanLafJiMwHKXQKY6dJJ8mrGPYLXYXm2hwK5GYc77R/CRYPTONIK.jpg)
Ich hab mich Schrittweise entgooglet:
Willkommen im Club! Jetzt muss man auch noch das Handy entgoogeln ;) ;) psssst, LineageOS + MicroG
hab einen passenden Artikel zu prism-break, da findest du haufenweise Anregungen. von einfachen bis zu systemnahen Zeug. GN
Kenn ich, sehr nice :)
Wow, that ToSDR feature looks amazing! Definitely something more people can benefit from learning about. If DuckDuckGo could add in popup/advertisement blocking, I'd be sold.
That would be great!
List of features looks really good. The amount of trackers websites have these days, even news sites have over 6- 10 trackers.
Much needed addon, thanks for the heads up!
Glad to help, enjoy!
Haha, yeah I was listening to local radio and they were talking about the data mining and stuff. Most people are so clueless. I even called in and mentioned how much tracking is going on and compared it to living in a glass house. People that called after were like I'm not worried I have ad blocker plus. I was just thinking face palm, that doesn't stop the tracking just most of the ads....
Great share! As the scammers become more prevalent and sneakier, the cyber security must get stronger...
I am checking this out!
Thanks!
#SteemitBloggers
Thank you for your feedback :)
Really great work again Nick. I'll definitely be looking into it.
If you don't mind me asking, what do you do for a living? You really seem to be staying on top of this stuff.
Hey, Matt! I'm a Web Developer. I design and build websites and web applications for clients. I come from a software background with some focus on Info Security. Naturally, I hang around software dev forums and get to know what's new on the block ;)
Yeah, I figured it must be something like that because you are so on top of this stuff. Thanks for sharing!