Google is not the only option for searching the web. Try switching your browser’s default search engine to DuckDuckGo for more privacy and security.
DuckDuck Go has been around since 2008 and is considered a safer, more private alternative to a machine’s default web browser search. However, changing search engines may be an unfamiliar concept to those who equate internet search with Google. The whole process of setting a new default search engine is actually easy to do on a desktop computer.
The search in DuckDuckGo is worth reviewing, although it is not as accurate as Google in terms of search results. Each search is anonymous and encrypted. It does not collect personal information and hides a user’s IP address. Trackers that typically produce search-based ads are disabled. As more and more people become wary of online privacy, DuckDuckGo is also slowly becoming the search engine of choice for tech-savvy users.
DuckDuckGo has reportedly seen an increase in search volume this year, which means more users are switching search engines. Users who prefer to use Google Chrome can set their default Google search engine to DuckDuckGo by launching the web browser and clicking ‘Following‘ (three dots icon) located in the upper right corner of the screen and pressing ‘Settings.‘ Click it ‘Menu‘ icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper left corner of the page to expand and choose ‘Search engine.‘ Beside “Search engine used in the address bar “, click on the drop-down menu and choose ‘DuckDuck Go‘ from the list. Another way to switch is to go to DuckDuckGo.com on Chrome, hover over and right click the URL in the address bar, then choose ‘Manage search engines.‘ Below ‘Default search engines,‘ find DuckDuckGo, click on the three-dot icon next to its URL and select ‘Default.‘ Additionally, Google Chrome users can also install the DuckDuckGo Chrome browser extension for added security.
Skip to search DuckDuckGo on various web browsers
Apple users more comfortable with Safari can switch to DuckDuckGo by launching the web browser and clicking ‘Safari‘ in the upper left corner of the screen. Take ‘Preferences‘ then head to the ‘To look for‘ tongue. Beside ‘Search engine,‘ click on the drop-down menu and choose ‘DuckDuck Go‘ from the list. If the user is on a Windows machine and wants to change the search engine to Microsoft Edge, open the browser, go to DuckDuckGo.com, and search. Click on the three dots icon in the upper right corner of the screen and choose ‘Settings.‘ Click on the ‘Settings‘ menu at the top left and select ‘Confidentiality, research and services. ‘ Scroll to ‘Services‘ section of the page and choose ‘Address bar and search.‘ Next tosearch engine used in the address bar “, click on the drop-down menu and choose ‘DuckDuck Go‘ from the list.
Mozilla Firefox aficionados can change their default search settings by clicking the button ‘Menu‘ icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper right corner of the page and selecting ‘Settings.‘ Choose ‘Search‘ in the left pane and under ‘Default search engine,‘ click on the drop-down menu and choose ‘DuckDuckGo’ from the list. Firefox also has a DuckDuckGo browser add-on that users can install for additional privacy features. Those who have Opera as their web browser of choice can change the search engine settings by launching the browser application and clicking the ‘Settings‘ icon in the upper right corner of the screen. Then scroll down and click on ‘Access full browser settings‘ to expand. Then under ‘Search engine, ‘ click on the drop-down menu next to “Ssearch engine used in the address bar ” and choose ‘DuckDuck Go‘ from the list.
Other web browsers should have similar settings that will allow users to easily set a default search engine. DuckDuckGo will also be launching its own desktop browser soon, so users who enjoy and are used to the company’s web search capabilities may want to double up on privacy-focused internet usage and get it. once it becomes available. In the meantime, define DuckDuck Go because the referral search engine on a user’s current web browser is a suitable and safer alternative.
Sources: HowToGeek, Google 1, 2, Apple, Microsoft, Mozilla 1, 2, Opera
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