No trackers: The search engine blocks ads and third-party tracking so you won’t have to worry about being bombarded by pop-ups. Here are some ways in which the search engine (DuckDuckGo) protects you:Įncrypts your Search Data: If there are encrypted websites available, DuckDuckGo will direct you to these secure sites to help keep your personal info safe. With a VPN, your entire device is protected, while the search engine does a fraction of this.

Main Differences Between DuckDuckGo and a VPNĪgain, the DuckDuckGo search engine is not a VPN. It’s a great asset, though, that DuckDuckGo is more secure than other search engines, like Google. (Google does, in fact, track your search history.)Įncryption: This search engine uses an encrypted connection when possible to secure your online privacy and safeguard your data.īlocking Ads: DDG has an ad-blocking feature that will prevent trackers from accessing your data.Įven though you can use both DuckDuckGo and a reputable VPN to help surf the web more securely, they are not interchangeable.

Private Searches: The DuckDuckGo app and browser extension will not log your search history. Online Privacy Transparency: This DDG feature will reveal how safe a site is to help you avoid unsecured websites.

Here are some of the features that DuckDuckGo has that are similar to that of a VPN: While some might think this search engine is interchangeable with a VPN, it is not a VPN.Įven though DuckDuckGo and a VPN both serve the function of protecting your online privacy and anonymity, a VPN helps send your online traffic through a secure, encrypted tunnel while DuckDuckGo is, in fact, a search engine.

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