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If You Care About Privacy, It’s Time to Try a New Web Browser

A new crop of internet browsers from Brave, DuckDuckGo and others offer stronger privacy protections than what you might be used to.

By Brian X. Chen

Most of us use web browsers out of habit.

If you surf the web with Microsoft Edge, that may be because you use Windows. If you use Safari, that’s probably because you are an Apple customer. If you are a Chrome user, that could be because you have a Google phone or laptop, or you downloaded the Google browser on your personal device after using it on computers at school or work.

In other words, we turn to the browsers that are readily available and familiar. It’s easy to fall into browser inertia because these apps are all fast, capable and serve the same purpose: visiting a website.

So if the differences are minimal, why bother looking for something else?

By the end of this column, I hope to persuade you to at least try something else: a new type of internet navigator called a private browser. This kind of browser, from less-known brands like DuckDuckGo and Brave, has emerged over the last three years. What stands out is that they minimize the data gathered about us by blocking the technologies used to track us.

That’s generally better than what most mainstream browsers, especially Chrome, do. While some browsers like Safari and Firefox also include tracking prevention, the smaller brands have been focused on even more privacy protections.

We have also reached an inflection point in digital privacy. The online advertising industry is on the brink of ceasing to use web cookies, pieces of code planted in browsers that follow us from site to site and help target us with ads. Google, whose Chrome browser is the world’s most popular, has been trying to develop a new way to target us with ads without the cookie.

Let’s not wait for that. You can decide now that you don’t want to be tracked.

“We’re at a fork in the road,” said Gennie Gebhart, a director at the digital rights nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation, who follows privacy issues. “Companies that keep the lights on by advertising to users, Google included, are scrambling to see what’s the next play. It’s also a time for users to be informed and make a choice.”

Unlike mainstream web browsers, private browsers come in many forms that serve different purposes. For about a week, I tested three of the most popular options — DuckDuckGo, Brave and Firefox Focus. Even I was surprised that I eventually switched to Brave as the default browser on my iPhone. Here’s how it happened.

What is a private browser?

It’s important to know what private browsers do, and what they don’t. So let’s look under the hood.

Private browsers generally incorporate web technologies that have been around for years:

They rely on something called private mode, also known as incognito mode, which is a browsing session that does not record a history of the websites you have visited. This is useful if you don’t want people with physical access to your device to snoop on you.

Private browsers also use tracker blockers, which can often be downloaded as an add-on for a browser. The blockers depend on a list of known trackers that grab information about your identity. Whenever you load a website, the software then detects those trackers and restricts them from following you from site to site. The big downside of this approach is that blocking them can sometimes break parts of websites, like shopping carts and videos.

Privacy-focused browsers typically turn private mode on by default, or automatically purge browsing history when you quit the browser. The browsers also have tracking prevention baked in, which lets them aggressively block trackers using approaches that minimize website breakage.

But private browsers do not prevent your internet provider from seeing what websites you visit. So if you are on vacation and using a hotel’s Wi-Fi connection, a private browser will not keep your browsing information private from the hotel’s internet provider. For that type of protection, you still need to connect to a virtual private network , a technology that creates a virtual tunnel that shields your browsing information.

Meet the private browsers

Firefox Focus, DuckDuckGo and Brave are all similar, but with some important differences.

Firefox Focus, available only for mobile devices like iPhones and Android smartphones, is bare-bones. You punch in a web address and, when done browsing, hit the trash icon to erase the session. Quitting the app automatically purges the history. When you load a website, the browser relies on a database of trackers to determine which to block.

The DuckDuckGo browser, also available only for mobile devices, is more like a traditional browser. That means you can bookmark your favorite sites and open multiple browser tabs.

When you use the search bar, the browser returns results from the DuckDuckGo search engine, which the company says is more focused on privacy because its ads do not track people’s online behavior. DuckDuckGo also prevents ad trackers from loading. When done browsing, you can hit the flame icon at the bottom to erase the session.

Brave is also more like a traditional web browser, with anti-tracking technology and features like bookmarks and tabs. It includes a private mode that must be turned on if you don’t want people scrutinizing your web history.

Brave is also so aggressive about blocking trackers that in the process, it almost always blocks ads entirely. The other private browsers blocked ads less frequently.

For most people, not seeing ads is a benefit. But for those who want to give back to a publisher whose ads are blocked, Brave hosts its own ad network that you can opt into. In exchange for viewing ads that do not track your behavior, you earn a cut of revenue in the form of a token. You can then choose to give tokens to websites that you like. (Only web publishers that have a partnership with Brave can receive tokens.)

Battle of the browsers

I tested all three browsers on my iPhone, setting each as my default browser for a few days.

All have a button to see how many trackers they blocked when loading a website. To test that, I visited nypost.com, the website of The New York Post, which loaded 83 trackers without any tracking prevention. With DuckDuckGo, 15 of the nypost.com trackers were blocked. With Brave, it was 22. And Firefox Focus blocked 47.

But numbers don’t tell the whole story. Firefox Focus sometimes broke elements of websites. On some sites, videos failed to load and ad windows could not be closed.

Selena Deckelmann, an executive at Mozilla, which makes Firefox, said that the strict privacy protections in Firefox Focus could sometimes cause websites to break and that the company worked with web publishers so their sites could load properly.

I didn’t experience major issues when using Brave or DuckDuckGo, though there was an occasional hiccup. In one case, when using DuckDuckGo to scroll through Wirecutter , our sister publication that tests and recommends products, the names of some products did not fully load. While the site was still functional, it looked odd.

In the end, though, you probably would be happy using any of the private browsers. Even if you don’t make one your default browser, it is useful for certain situations, like a sensitive web search on a health condition.

For me, Brave won by a hair. My favorite websites loaded flawlessly, and I enjoyed the clean look of ad-free sites, along with the flexibility of opting in to see ads whenever I felt like it. Brendan Eich, the chief executive of Brave, said the company’s browser blocked tracking cookies “without mercy.”

“If everybody used Brave, it would wipe out the tracking-based ad economy,” he said.

Count me in.

Brian X. Chen is the lead consumer technology writer. He reviews products and writes Tech Fix , a column about solving tech-related problems. Before joining The Times in 2011, he reported on Apple and the wireless industry for Wired. More about Brian X. Chen

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David Nield

It’s Time to Switch to a Privacy Browser

Google's admission that, yes, it does track you while you're in Chrome's Incognito mode , is just the latest in a long line of unsettling revelations about just how keenly Big Tech keeps an eye on our movements every time we connect to the internet. Billions of data records will now be deleted as part of a settlement to a class action lawsuit brought against Google.

As we've written before , Incognito mode and the equivalent modes offered by other browsers aren't as secure as you might think, particularly if you start signing into accounts like Google or Facebook. Your activities and searches as a logged-in user on large platforms can still be recorded, primarily to create advertising that's more accurately targeted toward your demographic.

Google, for its part, says it’s transparent about what data it’s storing and why—and in recent years it has made it easier for users to see and delete the information held about them. To really lock down your privacy and security, though, it’s best to switch to a browser not made by a company that earns billions of dollars selling ads.

And there are alternatives: Below we recommend several browsers built with user privacy and security as a priority. Even better, in many cases they can import data such as bookmarks and passwords from your current browser—Google Chrome, for example.

DuckDuckGo ( Android , iOS , Windows , macOS )

The DuckDuckGo browser blocks trackers at their source.

You might know DuckDuckGo as the anti-Google search engine, but the parent company has branched out to make its own browsers too. They keep you well protected online and at the same time give you plenty of information about the tracking technologies being proactively blocked.

DuckDuckGo starts by enforcing encrypted HTTPS connections when websites offer them, and gives each page you visit a grade based on how aggressively it's trying to mine your data. It'll even scan and rank site privacy policies for you.

When it comes to browsing data, this can be cleared automatically at the end of each session or after a certain period of time. Pop-ups and ads are snuffed out, and of course the DuckDuckGo search engine is built in, free of the Google trappings.

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You also get extras like throwaway email aliases you can use in place of your real email address to protect your privacy, and everything about the browser and its features is simple to use: You don't really need to do anything except install them, so you're getting maximum protection with minimal effort.

Ghostery ( Android , iOS , Windows , macOS )

Ghostery comes with a range of tools to protect your privacy.

Install Ghostery on your mobile device or your computer, and straight away it gets to work blocking adverts and tracking cookies that will attempt to keep tabs on what you're up to on the web. There are no complicated setup screens or configurations to manage.

Like DuckDuckGo, Ghostery tells you exactly which trackers and ads it's blocking and how many monitoring tools each website has installed. If you do come across certain sites that are well behaved, you can mark them as trusted with a tap.

Or, if you find a site that's packed full of tracking systems, you can block every single bit of cookie technology on it (for commenting systems, media players, and so on), even if the site ends up breaking. A simple, private search engine is built in to replace Google too.

Ghostery's tools are a little more in-depth and advanced than the ones offered by DuckDuckGo, so you might consider it if you want to take extra control over which trackers are blocked on which sites—but it's simple enough for anyone to use.

Tor Browser ( Android , Windows , macOS )

Tor connects you to the Tor network, to keep your online activities more private.

Tor Browser markets itself as a browsing option "without tracking, surveillance, or censorship." It is worth a look if you want the ultimate in anonymized, tracker-free browsing—unless you're on iOS, where it isn't available (Tor recommends the Onion Browser instead).

The browser is part of a bigger project to keep internet browsing anonymous: Use Tor and you use the Tor Project network, a complex, encrypted relay system managed by the Tor community, making it much harder for anyone else to follow your activities online.

As well as this additional layer of anonymity, Tor Browser is super-strict on the background scripts and tracking tech that sites can run. It also blocks fingerprinting, a method where advertisers attempt to recognize the unique characteristics of your device.

At the end of each browsing session, everything gets wiped, including cookies left behind by sites and the browsing history inside the Tor Browser app itself. In other words, private browsing that leaves no trace is the default—and indeed the only option.

Brave ( Android , iOS , Windows , macOS )

Brave gives you a clean, speedy browsing experience.

Brave comes with all the tracking protection features you would expect: Ads are completely blocked, there are tight restrictions on the data that sites can gather through cookies and tracking scripts, and you're always kept informed about what's happening.

The browser comes with an optional built-in VPN, though it costs extra ($10 a month). You can also, if you want, use Brave to access the Tor network we mentioned with the Tor browser and take advantage of its anonymizing relay service that hides your location and browsing data.

There's no doubt about the effectiveness of Brave's tracker-blocking technologies, and getting around the web in Brave is quick and snappy. It's a comprehensive package and one that strikes a well-judged balance between simplicity and power for the majority of users.

Brave has regularly pioneered features related to innovative web technologies, including cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and (most recently) artificial intelligence; there's actually a new AI assistant built into it. In other words, it's not exclusively focused on security and privacy.

Firefox ( Android , iOS , Windows , macOS )

Firefox is part of a suite of privacy products from Mozilla.

Firefox has long been at the forefront of online privacy—blocking tracking cookies across sites by default, for example—and it continues to be one of the best options for making sure you're giving away as little data as possible as you make your way across the web.

Firefox also gives you a ton of information on each website you visit regarding the trackers and cookies that pages have attempted to leave, and which ones Firefox has blocked. Permissions for access to your location and microphone can be easily managed as well.

Aside from looking after the interests of its users, Firefox also scores highly for user customization. You can change the look and behavior of the browser in a variety of ways, and there are useful integrations like the built-in Pocket utility that saves web stories on your device so you can read them later.

Firefox developer Mozilla offers plenty of extras, including a free data-breach monitor that tells you when your usernames and passwords may have been exposed somewhere online, a free email alias system to keep your actual email address protected, and a VPN that costs $10 per month. It all adds up to a comprehensive package for keeping you safe online.

Safari (iOS, macOS)

Safari has been blocking tracking cookies for some time.

Apple continues to add privacy tech to Safari with each release on iOS and macOS—like requiring user authentication (such as a Face ID scan) when returning to a browsing session—though it's obviously not a browsing option if you're on Android or Windows.

Safari has long been blocking third-party tracking cookies that try to connect the dots on your web activity across multiple sites. It also blocks device fingerprinting techniques that try to identify your devices, and it reports back on the trackers it has disabled.

The browser can now also warn you when you try to use a password that's too weak on a new website or service, and it will make a suggestion of a stronger password if needed. Recent browser updates added support for logging in with passkeys too.

Safari operates against the backdrop of Apple's commitment to collect as little information about you as possible and to keep most of that information locked away locally on your device rather than on Apple's servers.

Update: April 6, 2024, 8:30 am: This guide was updated to include new guidance for DuckDuckGo and Ghostery, as well as to bring some descriptions of browser providers' data collection policies up to date.

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We tried eight other iphone browsers so you don't have to.

Apple's Safari browser for the iPhone is fast and secure, but other browsers have more privacy features and greater customization options.

The easiest  iPhone  browser choice is Safari, which  Apple  pre-installs, but there are plenty of alternatives, and there are at least eight that deserve a closer look for anyone seeking something a little bit different. Because while Apple frequently touts its focus on privacy, some third-party browsers claim to do even more. Another common thread from other browsers is compatibility with the desktop app and unique user interface features.

With many websites having dedicated apps, some users no longer rely upon a web browser for daily activity. Every major social media, shopping and most financial companies use apps to enhance security while making it quicker and easier to log in with a glance (Face ID) or a press of the finger (Touch ID). Google and Bing searches are even possible via apps, eliminating opening a browser when looking up information online. Something that most apps lack, however, is the ability to open tabs and that convenience and control are hard to beat.

Related: Can You Move The Search Bar On iPhone?

The iPhone's Safari app is perfectly okay to use as a web browser without looking elsewhere. It's fast, secure, and well-integrated with the rest of Apple's ecosystem, making it an excellent default choice for the iPhone. There are, however, good reasons to shop around, with the most obvious being desktop browser compatibility. For iPhone owners that also use a Mac or MacBook, website passwords and bookmarks, tab groups and shipping addresses carry over from one device to the next via Apple's Continuity features . It's a different story for Windows PC owners since Apple doesn't make Safari for Windows. For that matter, Safari won't work with a Chromebook or Linux computer either. However, if the mobile app matches the installed desktop browser, synchronization data between the two is still possible. For those using Google Chrome on a computer, it might make the most sense to use it on the iPhone as well. The same is true of Mozilla's Firefox and Firefox Focus, Microsoft's Edge, DuckDuckGo, Opera and Opera GX, as well as the Brave browser.

Google Chrome For iPhone

Google Chrome is the world's most popular web browser on the desktop and smartphones. Its share of users on the iPhone is small compared to Safari usage, but  plenty of people use and prefer Chrome . Moreover, it's pretty convenient when also using a device that runs Android. Copy a link and bookmark it in Chrome on the iPhone, and it will be there on the Android phone as well, and vice versa. Chrome also works on Windows, a Mac and a Chromebook, bridging the divide between platforms.

Mozilla Firefox & Firefox Focus For iPhone

Mozilla's browser has been around for longer than almost any other browser, preceding Safari and Chrome. As a veteran of the early internet, Firefox has a loyal following of web developers that came to rely upon its advanced JavaScript debugging controls on the desktop. Unfortunately, the mobile browser is required to use Apple's WebKit rendering, meaning some of what makes Firefox unique is lost on the iPhone. The same is true of Google Chrome and every other iPhone browser. Apple considers it a security risk to allow another backend solution. That said, Firefox is an excellent browser with a big following.

Mozilla also makes another web browser for the iPhone called Firefox Focus, and it's designed to keep things simple. A somewhat debatable 'feature' is a total lack of tabs. Users can open only one web page at a time. After  Firefox Focus  is installed, a Safari extension with content blocking controls becomes available, providing an extra incentive to get this app. A trash can icon at the bottom of the screen can quickly dump browsing history and close the open page.

Microsoft Edge For iPhone

Microsoft Edge is the default browser for Windows PCs, making this a good choice for iPhone owners that work or play on Windows computers. Edge is quite different from the old Internet Explorer browser that crumbled under the combined force of Chrome, Firefox and Safari, which adopted modern web standards much sooner. By comparison, Edge feels quick and light, allowing users to earn Microsoft Rewards while browsing. Edge also provides unique tools to help with comparison shopping, such as collections and coupons.

DuckDuckGo For iPhone

As silly as the name sounds, DuckDuckGo is a real web browser made by the same company behind the increasingly popular search engine by the same name. Naturally, every search made in this iPhone browser gives the results from the DuckDuckGo search engine, so fans of this alternative to Google and Bing will want to check out this web browser. DuckDuckGo also includes a special Fire button at the bottom, which allows quickly 'burning' all tabs and browsing data , so no evidence remains on the iPhone.

Opera & Opera GX For iPhone

Opera is another web browser that has been around for decades but always seems to be innovating to add value . Opera Flow is an excellent example of this. It connects an iPhone or Android phone to a Mac or Windows computer to allow more than just syncing bookmarks. Flow provides a short-term shared online space for encrypted file transfers between devices. With a quick QR code scan on the computer screen, the setup is complete, and users can move files back and forth with ease. Opera also can be told to dismiss those annoying cookie permission popups automatically.

A variation on Opera called Opera GX has a smooth gaming flavor with custom theming to showcase favorite games or screenshots and a gaming news feed called GX Corner that appears on each new tab. In addition, the Fast Action Button allows super-fast, one-handed browsing with the swipe of a thumb. It's one of the most distinctive browsers available and worth a look.

Brave For iPhone

Brave is another privacy-focused browser. A key feature that distinguishes it from others is the ability to lock the browser, so Face ID or Touch ID is required to use it even if the iPhone is already unlocked. This protects browser information if the device is snatched out of the user's hand while in use, which sadly has been known to happen. DuckDuckGo and Firefox Focus are the only other browsers with this degree of protection.

With so many excellent browsers available on the iPhone, it might be challenging to choose which to use. Safari is an easy and obvious pick and works well. There is absolutely nothing wrong with staying right there . For more advanced privacy controls that lock down the browser and quickly zap away browsing data, Brave and DuckDuckGo are excellent choices. For compatibly with Android and Windows, it's hard to beat Chrome or Firefox and Edge, although Opera is a multi-platform browser as well with some unique capabilities. The  iPhone  can handle multiple web browsers. The default browser can be changed easily, so it might be best to install any of these interesting free apps and explore the possibilities.

Next: How To Replace Safari With Different Browser App On iPhone

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DuckDuckGo: What to Know About Google Search's Privacy-Focused Rival

Here's everything you should know about the privacy-minded search engine.

• Adam has been covering streaming services since 2013 and wants to help people navigate the subscription creep in their lives.

DuckDuckGo wants to put your digital privacy front and center.

Online trackers can be annoying. You search for a product or click an advertisement once, and then ads seem to follow you to the ends of the internet, even across devices. Sometimes, you just want a little privacy in your browsing. Enter DuckDuckGo, a browser and search engine that pledges to keep your search activity anonymous and not track you online. 

There are other private browsers, such as Brave  and the Mullvad Browser , that block other people from monitoring your online activity. But DuckDuckGo sees itself as a direct competitor to Google Search, complete with a mobile app and extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari and other browsers, as well as for  Windows and Mac browsers in public beta . 

After major incidents like the Cambridge Analytica scandal , people have become more aware of how much personal information is available to tech companies and advertisers -- and are opting out of being tracked when they can. While it doesn't track users, DuckDuckGo's app was downloaded more than 50 million times between July 2020 and June 2021 -- more than all other years combined since its 2008 launch. 

Here's what you need to know about DuckDuckGo and how it tries to keep your searches more secure.

What is DuckDuckGo? 

DuckDuckGo is a search engine that's available as both a mobile browser app and a desktop extension, each aimed at allowing you to browse the internet without companies gobbling up your personal data. It promises to keep your searches private, anonymous and offers built-in tracker blocking, so the sites you visit have a harder time collecting information about you. 

Read more: Best VPNs of 2023

How does DuckDuckGo work?

For starters, DuckDuckGo does not track searches made through its browser extension or mobile app. Other browsers, including Chrome, allow you to use private or incognito windows that don't track your search history, but their default windows do. (That's the basis of every " embarrassing search history " joke.) Instead of making you navigate to a different version of its app, DuckDuckGo never tracks your search history.

Searches made through DuckDuckGo also automatically connect you to the encrypted versions of websites wherever possible, making it harder for anyone else to see what you're looking at online. This is another scenario where both options (encrypted and unencrypted) exist on other search engines, but the default isn't always the privacy-friendly option. DuckDuckGo saves you the extra steps of manually navigating to encrypted connections.

DuckDuckGo was criticized in May 2022 when researchers discovered some Microsoft tracking scripts while using DuckDuckGo's browsers. The presence of Microsoft trackers seemed to fly in the face of the search engine's privacy promise, and DuckDuckGo's founder and CEO clarified on Reddit that the company was "currently contractually restricted by Microsoft" from stopping Microsoft scripts from completely loading. This is because the company uses Microsoft's Bing to power its search results. The company followed up in August, however, by announcing that it would further restrict Microsoft trackers in its browsers .

However, DuckDuckGo remains ahead of other popular privacy options when it comes to blocking tracking data, and the company has clarified its app store descriptions to better clarify limitations in its privacy protections. DuckDuckGo had also previously  disclosed its partnership with Microsoft , and its CEO said in the Reddit post that the company is working to get that restriction changed.

DuckDuckGo also actively blocks external trackers from following you around online. For a more detailed explanation of DuckDuckGo's privacy features, check out DuckDuckGo's blog . 

The DuckDuckGo search engine emphasizes privacy.

How is DuckDuckGo different from Google Search? What about Incognito mode and private browsing?

DuckDuckGo essentially takes the opposite approach compared to other big tech companies like Google and Facebook, which have traditionally made money by targeting ads based on your browsing history and personal data. While Google has said it's going to stop this practice , the platform still collects a ton of data about you, including your location and search activity -- yes, even in incognito mode. 

Incognito mode simply deletes information related to your browsing session from your computer: your history, cookies and any info you've entered into fields. Notably, it only does that after you end your session by closing out all your tabs. So if you leave your incognito tabs open for hours or days at a time, that information will still build up. And no matter what, Google can save your searches -- and companies, internet service providers and governments can still track you across the internet, even when you're using incognito mode.

DuckDuckGo is different because it doesn't store your browsing data at all, and it blocks trackers while you're browsing. 

When you first use the DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser, the app will walk you through the different ways it protects your privacy.

If it isn't targeting ads, how does DuckDuckGo make money?

DuckDuckGo still makes money from advertising -- it just doesn't use targeted ads. The search engine shows you ads based on the keywords you search for, which aren't connected to your personal data like your browsing or purchase history. Essentially, you'll only see ads for whatever you're currently searching for, not the weird product your friend sent you a link to last week that you now can't get away from. 

How can I use DuckDuckGo?

On mobile devices, simply open your app store and search for "DuckDuckGo." You'll be able to download the DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser app and use it the same way you'd use Chrome or Safari. At the bottom center of your app, you'll see a fire icon, which you can press at any time to close all your tabs and clear all personal data.

On desktop, go to duckduckgo.com , where you'll see a button to add DuckDuckGo to your browser. On Chrome, you'll be directed to the Chrome webstore page to download the extension for free. On Safari, you'll be instructed on how to set DuckDuckGo as your default search engine or to manually activate a search using DuckDuckGo. 

For more about online privacy, check out the five reasons to ditch Google for DuckDuckGo , what to know about DuckDuckGo's free AI feature DuckAssist and how DuckDuckGo's app tracking protection beta  is available to Android users.

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Why You Need DuckDuckGo’s Privacy Browser

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• Privacy-first search service DuckDuckGo is about to launch a Mac web browser. 
• DuckDuckGo’s browser runs on Safari’s WebKit engine.
• It downloads 60 percent less data than Chrome.

The privacy-first DuckDuckGo browser is now (nearly) available for the Mac. 

DuckDuckGo’s browser has been around on mobile for quite a while. iPhone and iPad users, for instance, can use it to browse privately, blocking trackers and other annoyances, and even set it to annihilate all collected cookies and history when you quit. Mac users can already get much of this with DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials , which works through a browser extension, but soon they’ll be able to browse privately with zero setup. 

"Search engines like Google capture your IP address, cookies, and basically any form of persistent identifiers that are unique to users. The risk here is to privacy. These attributes allow for user identification based on their search history, [IP address], etc., and are used to target advertising," Apporwa Verma , senior "appsec" engineer at cybersecurity company Cobalt, told Lifewire via email.

Privacy First

Extensions can help with privacy, and Safari also provides a "content blocker" framework that lets third-party blockers integrate with the browser to block trackers, ads, adult sites, and more, all without ever having access to your browser activity.

But the advantage of a fully integrated privacy-first browser is that you don’t have to do anything other than use it. No setup, no wondering whether you really trust those extensions. All you need is to switch your default browser to DuckDuckGo.

"A browser like DuckDuckGo, Brave, or Tor, is better because they were built from the ground up with privacy put first. They force HTTPS encryption to be used as much as possible and block websites from keeping any trackers on you to retain your information for advertising purposes," Tech blogger and smart home expert, Patrick Sinclair , told Lifewire via email. 

The obvious catch is you have to trust DuckDuckGo. Mac users who use the built-in Safari browser should do some research before switching, but anyone already using a third-party browser like Google Chrome is almost certainly better off with DuckDuckGo. 

Because DuckDuckGo’s browser blocks so much intrusive junk, there’s an added side benefit—it’s faster. Unlike most other major browsers, DuckDuckGo blocks trackers before they load, not after, speeding up page load times. In fact, DuckDuckGo says that it uses "about 60% less data than Chrome."

Regardless of the browser you use, you always need to be careful with how you use it.

And that’s not all. DuckDuckGo’s browser can block and answer those annoying cookie/permission requests for you and also let you know which websites are the worst offenders, privacy-wise. 

"DuckDuckGo even has an especially useful feature where it ranks websites based on how much information they try to keep on you, so you can get a good idea which ones are more invasive than others," says Sinclair.

But Don’t I Already Have Incognito Mode?

Chrome has Incognito mode, Safari has Private Browsing, so why do you need another browser? Because those features do nothing to protect you from trackers or anything else on the internet. All they do is remove your browsing history and delete related data like cookies from your machine. That makes them great for browsing adult sites on a shared computer or keeping other sites out of your browser history, but that’s it.

"As for the misconceptions over incognito mode," says Sinclair, "browsers usually mention on the landing page for incognito mode that this won't prevent websites and their ISP from tracking their activity. Users are strongly advised to take note of that."

"Your activity isn’t hidden from websites you visit, your employer or school, or your internet service provider," says Google’s help page for Incognito mode. 

Still, despite this, it seems a lot of people I meet still think Incognito mode offers some protection from tracking or other privacy violations, and that misconception certainly doesn’t do Google’s ad-tech business any harm. 

When it comes out of its invite-only test phase, DuckDuckGo will be a great option for many people. Once you’ve installed it, you can forget about it. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be 100% safe out there. Even with all that protection, you should still be careful about which sites you visit. 

"Regardless of the browser you use, you always need to be careful with how you use it. No browser or extension is entirely un-hackable or un-trackable," Kristen Bolig of SecurityNerd told Lifewire via email.

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How and why Apple users should switch to DuckDuckGo for search

Apple users who care about privacy are moving to duckduckgo for search. these tips will get you started with it..

Like liberty for all, privacy demands vigilance, and that’s why Apple users who care about those things are moving to DuckDuckGo for search.

Why use DuckDuckGo?

Privacy is under attack.

It doesn’t take much effort to prove this truth. At time of writing, recent news is full of creeping privacy erosion:

• We’ve seen video conferencing solutions that surreptitiously install software on your Macs .
• A face-changing photography app perhaps implicated in the assembly of a vast database of faces .
• A household name in smart speakers has  shared private conversations with people you don’t know, including chatter you didn’t know was recorded in the first place.

And then there’s Duck Duck Go.

With Duck Duck Go, you are the searcher, not the searched

I think most Apple users know about DuckDuckGo. It is an independent search engine designed from the ground up to maintain your privacy .

It means the search service doesn’t collect information about you, doesn’t gather your search queries, and doesn’t install cookies or tracking code on your systems.

It now also provides highly accurate maps thanks to a deal with Apple that lets it use the also private-by-design Apple Maps service. To do this, the search engine is using Apple’s MapKit JS framework, which Apple created so website owners could embed maps in their sites.

Maps on DuckDuckGo are quite satisfying and will only improve as Apple introduces more detailed maps, better local business listings, and additional feature. You should see this service in action here .

How Apple Maps works on DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo added Apple Maps support at the beginning of 2019.

Since then, it has introduced a set of compelling improvements to how it works, thanks to Apple’s framework. You now get better implementation of Maps in your search, including the benefit of local search results. Additional enhancements include:

• Map re-querying : You can now refine search queries within the expanded maps view. You can also zoom in and out or move around the map to find other results that match your search.
• Local autocomplete : You will be provided with search suggestions as you type based on the local region visible on your map. Type fuel in a map of the Arizona desert, and you can see how many miles you’ll need to walk if your fuel runs out.
• Dedicated Maps tag : Look at the top of a search result, and you’ll find a Maps tab, which joins the images, videos, news, and meanings tabs.

There’s even a Dark Mode that is enabled when you switch to DuckDuckGo’s dark theme – when you switch, you’ll see the embedded Apple Maps also do so.

(Switch to dark theme in the search engine’s Settings, which you’ll find here . You can also discover much more information on how the search engine protects your privacy, primarily by not collecting it in the first place.)

How do they ensure your privacy when running map and address-related searches?  DuckDuck Go explains :

“With Apple, as with all other third parties we work with, we do not share any personally identifiable information such as IP address. And for local searches in particular, where your approximate location information is sent by your browser to us, we discard it immediately after use.”

How to set DuckDuckGo as default search on Apple devices

There are two ways to use DuckDuckGo rather than Google for search:

1. You can visit the DuckDuckGo.com website and use search in your browser there.

2. You can also change your Mac, iPhone or iPad’s default search service in order to use the far more private alternative. I think most readers know about this, but just in case:

• On a Mac:  Safari Preferences>choose the Search tab and choose DuckDuckGo in the drop down list of search engine choices.
• On iOS/iPad OS:  Settings>Safari and select DuckDuckGo from the options provided in the Search Engine section. You need to do this for all your devices individually.

Once you change your default search engine, all the searches you make in the future will be made using the more private service. You may even want to switch to using MeWe as a social network to replace Facebook while you’re at it.

Up next…

“We believe there should be no trade-off for people wanting to protect their personal data while searching,” the search engine explains. “Working with Apple Maps to enhance DuckDuckGo Search is an example of how we do this and pushes us further in our vision of setting a new standard of trust online.”

This is all well and good, but how do they see this experience extending itself in future?

I am not currently in possession of a working crystal ball, but here are two realistic and possible ways the service could be extended:

• Imagine how cool this would be with the addition of Apple’s delightfully lag-free Look Around Street View-killer.
• Imagine how embedded AR experiences could also become part of what’s on offer through the search service.

Why not? We know Apple takes this stuff seriously . It is surely only a matter of time until it declines Google for search .

Like liberty for all, privacy demands vigilance. Be vigilant.

Please follow me on   Twitter , or join me in the  AppleHolic’s bar & grill  and  Apple Discussions  groups on MeWe.

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Hello, and thanks for dropping in. I'm pleased to meet you. I'm Jonny Evans, and I've been writing (mainly about Apple) since 1999. These days I write my daily  AppleHolic blog at Computerworld.com, where I explore Apple's growing identity in the enterprise. You can also keep up with my work at AppleMust , and follow me on Mastodon , LinkedIn and (maybe) Twitter .

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'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

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When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form .

The best secure browsers to protect your privacy online in 2024

Web browsers have become flooded with ad-sponsored content, making browsers a key battleground for end-user privacy. While Chrome is the most widely used browser in the world, there are alternative browsers and ways to improve your security available to help you stay anonymous online.

Data is one of today's key ingredients for generating revenue. Online advertising companies can use web browsing histories to fingerprint individual browsers over time, creating shadow user profiles to reveal information including a user's interests, product searches, and more -- which can lead to targeted advertising. When you look for a privacy-focused browser, you will want to investigate how advertising trackers and cookies are managed, whether or not search histories are stored or shared, and whether or not the browser developer has a transparent privacy policy in place. 

Also:   The best VPN services (and why you need one to protect your privacy)

What is the best secure browser for privacy in 2024?

ZDNET experts have kept a finger on the pulse of the secure browser market for decades and many of us have tried and tested different options throughout the years. Brave is our top pick for the best browser for privacy based on its approach to user privacy, ad tracking prevention, privacy settings, usability, and speed. 

Below, you will find other recommendations for secure browsers that can protect your privacy -- not only from cyberattacks, but also from businesses that scrape, store, and sell your data. 

Best secure browsers for privacy in 2024

Best browser for privacy overall.

• Not in the traditional online ad business
• Privacy-focused by default
• Chromium challenger
• Some users report compute resource issues

Brave f eatures: Chromium-based | Blocks third-party ad trackers | Blocks cookies | Incognito windows | Onion routing | VPN | Off the record browsing

Brave is a Chromium-based browser that blocks ads, fingerprinting, and ad trackers by default.

Brave supports millions of users worldwide. The organization's business model relies on privacy-protecting ads that pay publishers and users when users pay attention to ads. The company is transparent about this revenue stream, and it is optional -- with users rewarded in crypto tokens if they opt in to ad viewing.

Brave has several privacy-enhancing settings, including options to block third-party ad trackers, upgrade unsecured connections to HTTPS, as well as block cookies and fingerprinting. Invasive ads and trackers are disabled, which the company says then improves loading times on desktop and mobile.

Also: The best web hosting services for building your dream website

Brave  removed Google code  from its Chromium to improve user privacy, including some account integration, background sync, and inline extensions. There is also a "Tor mode" available for use, which provides anonymized onion network routing. 

The browser developer also offers a VPN and firewall service which protects sessions even outside of the browser. Many users say the browser exceeds expectations, although others find some functionality, such as VPN connectivity, could use improvement. 

Brave also offers a feature called " Off the Record " (OTR) for users who may be victims of intimate partner violence. The browser developer says the feature "aims to help people who need to hide their browsing behavior from others who have access to their computer or phone."

Mozilla Firefox

Most secure browser for tracking protection.

• Enhanced tracking prevention
• Focus on accessibility
• Trusted by millions of users
• Strict tracking protection may break websites
• May require heavy PC resources

Mozilla Firefox f eatures: Enhanced tracking protection | Firefox Focus for mobile | Strict privacy standards |   DNS queries sent to a secure resolver service | Focus on accessibility | Encrypted Client Hello

Firefox is a must-have for individual browser privacy across multiple devices. 

One of Firefox's most important privacy features is enhanced tracking protection. Mozilla has borrowed Tor techniques to block browser fingerprinting, and Firefox developers are constantly seeking to improve tracking-prevention features.

Firefox is rich with choices to customize the browser for privacy. It blocks social media trackers, cross-site tracking cookies, tracking in private windows, crypto miners, and fingerprinting scripts. There is a "strict" mode, too, that might break some sites when trackers are hidden in content -- but there are ways to allow enhanced tracking protection for trusted sites. Furthermore, a recent improvement is the introduction of Encrypted Client Hello (ECH).

Users enjoy Firefox's privacy focus but note that it can be a resource hog.

The other option for Firefox fans is Firefox Focus , a privacy-focused browser for iOS and Android that blocks trackers and has a built-in ad blocker.    

Mozilla also offers a VPN , with the option to connect up to five devices to over 500 servers in 30 countries.

The Tor browser

Best for anonymous browsing.

• High levels of anonymity
• DuckDuckGo integration
• Constant updates and improvements
• Learning curve to use
• Can be slow

The Tor browser f eatures : Onion routing | DuckDuckGo integration | Access to websites outside of the clear web

Another great choice for improving your privacy on the web is the Tor browser, a non-profit project focused on anonymizing users online.

Its proprietary web browser disguises a user's IP address and activity by relaying it through a network of servers (nodes) run by volunteers. Bouncing your information around makes it exceptionally difficult to track, which is great if you don't want your ISP or anyone else spying on your online activity. 

Tor can be a crucial tool for whistleblowers, journalists, activists, and people avoiding censorship. The Tor browser is also a popular choice for accessing the deep web: A collection of websites and pages that are inaccessible through traditional means, like search engines, in what is known as the "clear" web. 

Also:  How to use Tor browser (and why you should)

The Tor browser's default search engine is DuckDuckGo, which will not log or store your search queries.

While it isn't a mainstream choice, the Tor browser is a well-regarded browser for people who don't want to be tracked across the web, and it gets updated frequently by  the Tor Project . Users applaud the network's tough approach to privacy but note slow speeds and occasional problems with Captchas.

Page loads in the Tor browser can be slower and some sites might not work well due to the architecture of the Tor network. Nonetheless, the Tor browser is a privacy-preserving browser worthy of consideration.

Best browser for private searches

• Available across different operating systems
• Solid commitment to user privacy
• Email protection settings
• Bland browser design

DuckDuckGo f eatures: Chrome and Firefox supported | Mobile and desktop private browser | Does not collect user data | AI experiments | No search engine query trackers

When it comes to DuckDuckGo, user privacy comes first. 

The privacy-focused search engine and browser is a vocal supporter of consumer privacy rights and now handles millions of user search queries daily.

There is a growing appetite for privacy-focused alternatives to tech giants like Facebook and Google. DuckDuckGo's Privacy Essentials extension for Chrome , Firefox , and Microsoft's Edge  has also proven popular. Its reputation is built on the idea that it does not collect user data but can provide the same search results as those that do. 

DuckDuckGo used to be a search engine rather than a full browser, but then released a mobile-friendly browser app and, now, a desktop version. The organization's browser provides a private search, website protection and blockers, web encryption, and more.

DuckDuckGo is experimenting with AI-assisted technologies to improve the search experience and has recently upgraded its browser . Users appreciate the firm's privacy focus, although some complain of censorship -- a concept DuckDuckGo staunchly denies . 

Mullvad Browser

Best for use with a vpn.

• Two heavyweight privacy developers
• Fingerprint, tracker blocks
• Tor-based privacy features
• New, so less thoroughly tested

Mullvad Browser f eatures : Fingerprint masking approach | Removes online identifiers | Private mode enabled by default | Blocks trackers, cookies

Mullvad is a relatively new entry to the secure browser market.

Not to be confused with the Tor browser, the Mullvad Browser is marketed as the "Tor Browser without the Tor network." The browser is built by the Tor Project team and distributed by Mullvad, a respected Swedish virtual private network provider. 

The idea behind the browser is to emulate the Tor network by creating a similar fingerprint for all users, improving anonymity. Furthermore, the browser comes with a private mode out of the box, tracking and cookies are blocked, and online functions used to extract information from visitors -- such as device identifiers -- are prevented.

You can use the browser as a standalone product, or you can combine it with Mullvad VPN . Users have given generally positive reviews, although you may find yourself signing up for the VPN for the best setup -- and it's not the cheapest on the market.

However, you should keep in mind that Mullvad was  subject to a search warrant by the National Operations Department (NOA) of the Swedish Police in 2023. Mullvad staff said that as the customer data did not exist, law enforcement was left with nothing (and no customer information). 

What is the best browser for privacy?

Brave is our top pick for the best browser for privacy based on its approach to user privacy, ad tracking prevention, the wide range of privacy settings on offer, usability, and speed. However, no browser is perfect, so you must decide which option suits you best.

Which is the right browser for privacy for you?

Not one size fits all, so be sure to reference the table below to better understand which browser suits your use case.

Factors to consider when choosing a secure browser

When you are switching to a more secure browser, there are some important factors to consider:

• Online identifiers : You should check to see if the browser tracks any of your activities, visits, or search queries. This data can be used to create profiles for targeted advertising and may be used to track you across different websites.
• Audits : The best secure browsers will conduct frequent security audits and have consistent patch releases to fix vulnerabilities and bugs that could expose users to risk. 
• Speed vs. security : Some browsers will route your traffic through a number of servers to vastly reduce the likelihood of you being tracked. However, you will need to decide how slow you're willing the connections and browsing to be.
• VPN : If you want to use a VPN, consider whether or not the browser works well with one -- or if the browser offers a built-in solution.

How did we choose these browsers for privacy?

While investigating the best browsers for privacy in 2024, we compared each of these browsers and extensions to determine what makes them different and which is best for different use cases. 

• Balance : The balance between managing user privacy and funding a business can be a tricky one for companies to manage, but as we've shown, many developers are willing to wave the security flag on behalf of users over potential opportunities to generate more revenue.
• User experience : We reviewed customer feedback to ensure that the majority of users find the browsers easy to install and use.
• Features : We like to see additional privacy-enhancing features, like onion routing. We chose providers who offer more than standard browsing experiences. 
• Platform support : We selected browsers offering a range of support for different operating systems and platforms, as well as mobile coverage. 

How does a privacy browser work?

A privacy browser works by automatically erasing your browsing and search history and cookies. It also may limit web tracking, and some even help hide your location (IP address). Privacy-focused browsers may also promote virtual private network (VPN) usage and may include features designed to bypass censorship blocks and keep users as anonymous as possible, such as access to onion routing and refusing to log site visits or web searches.

Do I need a privacy browser?

If you are concerned about your online privacy, you should install a privacy browser or at least an extension. We have to take responsibility for our own privacy online these days, and you can't rely on companies to do the job for you. 

Also:  How to delete yourself from internet search results and hide your identity online

We can recommend a few basic steps to take: Download one of the privacy-first browsers listed above that doesn't log your queries and activities, install a VPN, and use messaging apps with end-to-end encryption. 

Does using a private browsing window hide my IP address?

If you're using Chrome, an incognito window doesn't hide your IP address. It simply doesn't store your browser history, information you've entered into forms, or what permissions you've given to sites you've visited. Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Opera all use a similar form of "anonymous" web window for browsing, but they aren't truly hiding your online identity. 

Also:   The best VPN services (and whether it's worth trying free VPNs)

If you want to block your IP address from being viewed or tracked, you can download a VPN , which masks your IP address so your service provider (or anyone else, for that matter) can't see what you're doing.

What is the most common personal web security risk?

Honestly? Putting your personal or contact information on social media. If you have your full name, phone number, address, or place of work anywhere on your social media, someone can use it to wreak havoc on your personal accounts. 

To prevent this, avoid using your real name online where possible, turn off location tracking, and don't post about your place of work if you can help it. All it takes is a single piece of personal information for someone with very bad intentions to get ahold of your entire online presence -- and so if you're posting photos of you away from home and on holiday, for example, you're letting people know your home is vulnerable.

Also:  The best security keys

Those innocent-looking name generator memes are another big issue; the ones that have you type out your first pet's name and your childhood street name (or something similar) to make up a gnome (or whatever) name. These are answers to common password recovery questions, so by letting the world know that your Christmas elf name is Fluffy Elm Street, you could be handing over all of your personal accounts to internet criminals. 

Are there other browsers worth considering?

Online privacy and security are hot topics today. The amount of data quietly collected on each and every one of us is staggering -- and beyond targeted advertisements, you may not realize it. 

The browsers we've recommended above can help tighten up your defenses against tracking and online monitoring, but as no browser is a perfect solution, you may also want to consider the alternatives below:

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DuckDuckGo Review: The Privacy-Focused Search Engine

Protecting your data and privacy is becoming increasingly important. Users are now concerned about their private data collected by search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. This worry has led many people to turn to alternatives, the most popular of which is the DuckDuckGo privacy-focused search engine.

DuckDuckGo is a search engine company that promises safe and secure browsing. They also offer a privacy-focused browser for mobile devices.

But how safe and reliable is DuckDuckGo?

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about DuckDuckGo and its many privacy features.

Let’s dive in.

What Is DuckDuckGo?

DuckDuckGo is a search engine specifically designed for users who want to protect their privacy while using the internet.

Unlike other search engines , DuckDuckGo strictly limits the personal information it collects. That makes it an excellent option for users who want to keep their data private.

DuckDuckGo summarizes its services with the simple motto: “ Same Internet, more privacy. ”

While DuckDuckGo isn’t the world’s most popular search engine, it does boast an impressively large user base. In 2021, DuckDuckGo facilitates more than three billion searches monthly and helps users with over five million downloads on mobile apps and desktop computers.

DuckDuckGo’s users are also delighted with the search engine, as DuckDuckGo enjoys an average rating of 4.8 on Apple and Google Play stores.

Let’s dig into a little more about DuckDuckGo’s history.

DuckDuckGo: A Brief History

Entrepreneur Gabriel Weinberg founded DuckDuckGo in February 2008. Weinberg designed DuckDuckGo as an alternative to mainstream search engines like Google and Yahoo.

While the search engine didn’t achieve overnight success, it did grow in popularity quickly. By the end of 2008, it reached the homepage of popular platforms like Hacker News and Reddit.

Over the next few years, DuckDuckGo became famous through several vital campaigns. These included making all browsing through DuckDuckGo anonymous, the DontTrack.us website, and the famous billboard ad saying, “Google tracks you. We don’t.”

After the success of these campaigns, DuckDuckGo’s user base snowballed.

In 2012, the search engine reached one million searches per day . It would then hit two million and 10 million searches per day in 2013 and 2015, respectively. Owing to its growing popularity, Apple, Mozilla, and even Google added DuckDuckGo as a search engine option in their browsers .

After increased scrutiny of surveillance capitalism , DuckDuckGo is currently experiencing a peak in popularity. Between 2018 and 2020, the search engine doubled its volume from 25 billion to 50 billion searches.

When people first learn about DuckDuckGo, they usually raise their eyebrows at its name. The name “DuckDuckGo” isn’t related to search engines. Weinberg named his search engine after the children’s game “Duck Duck Goose.”

DuckDuckGo Privacy Features

DuckDuckGo is famous globally for its privacy features. Since the early days, DuckDuckGo has cultivated a reputation as an alternative search engine that prioritizes user privacy.

But how exactly does DuckDuckGo keep your data safe? In this section, we’ll cover DuckDuckGo’s best privacy features and how they work.

DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials Browser Extension

DuckDuckGo’s Privacy Essentials browser extension is its most notable feature. It works with all significant internet browsers. The Chrome extension alone has over five million users .

The Privacy Essentials extension acts as both a search engine and an ad blocker. When you use the search engine, Privacy Essentials blocks any banner ads and popups that would generally appear in your search results.

The extension also has several inbuilt privacy features. These include:

• Blocks browser-based online tracking from the websites you visit.
• Encrypts your search results to hide them from internet service providers.
• Global Privacy Control (GPC) warns sites not to share or sell data they collect about you.

Privacy Essentials also gives you the option to control your privacy settings. While it blocks most ads , it gives you the option to safelist ads from particular domains. You can also turn on SafeSearch, change the country you search from, and curate your search results.

Untracked Search

DuckDuckGo’s most well-known privacy feature is “untracked search.” Most search engines track your searches in a few ways, including data from websites you visit, what you search, your IP address, browser and device information, and more. Even if each data set is anonymized, companies can combine them to identify and track you.

To protect your privacy, DuckDuckGo doesn’t collect cookies , IP addresses , or user-agent information (like the web browser you use). Instead, DuckDuckGo saves users’ searches anonymously — meaning it has no way to connect your search for “Thai Restaurant Open Now” to you.

DuckDuckGo’s untracked search features also extend to the websites you visit.

How Does DuckDuckGo Protect Privacy If Sites Use Cookies?

Many websites collect your data through cookies. Cookies are small text files that identify you. Websites use cookies to understand your browsing habits and advertise targeted content.

DuckDuckGo stops websites from collecting cookies by blocking them from accessing your data. As DuckDuckGo doesn’t identify you, it cannot pass that information on.

Privacy Grade

Privacy Grade is another well-known DuckDuckGo feature that works through the browser extension and mobile app. In short, Privacy Grade identifies when a website is tracking your data and warns you as you browse.

DuckDuckGo automatically activates Privacy Grade whenever you visit a website. The feature then scans the website and assigns it a privacy grade from “A” to “F,” with “A” being the safest.

Privacy Grade does two things:

• It checks how many tracking requests it blocks from the website.
• It reviews the website’s terms of service agreement with ToS: DR (Terms of Service: Didn’t Read).

Once you’ve received each website’s grade, you can see the trackers that the website tried to place on you.

DuckDuckGo also shows you the impact of its privacy features. When it gives you a grade, it’ll show you a bar with “Enhanced from __ to __” (e.g., “Enhanced from D to B”). The first grade in red is the original grade, and the second grade in green is the adjusted grade from DuckDuckGo’s privacy features.

DuckDuckGo’s Burn Bar is a feature specific to its mobile app. The Burn Bar allows you to close your tabs and delete your browsing data at the end of each session. Thus, DuckDuckGo won’t store your data internally, giving you complete control over your search history.

To use the Burn Bar in the DuckDuckGo app, click the flame icon visible at the bottom of your screen.

Blocking Embedded Social Media Content

As social media is an everyday part of life for most internet users, websites are now embedding social media posts like Youtube videos into their web content.

However, this introduces a privacy problem that raises the eyebrows of many internet users.

Whenever a website embeds a social media post, that social media platform collects data about who viewed it — including your IP address.

That means two different third parties are collecting your data: the website you visited and the embedded social media platform.

DuckDuckGo is slowly working to fix this by blocking embedded social media posts . So far, DuckDuckGo only stops content from a few social media companies (like Facebook), but the company will expand its blocklist to other platforms soon.

This feature is currently available in DuckDuckGo’s browser extension and mobile apps.

Search Leakage Prevention

DuckDuckGo uses the term “search leakage” to describe how search engines like Yahoo, Bing, and Google link your data.

Whenever you click on a new link, your search engine shares tiny pieces of data with the website you clicked on. These little nuggets create a trail of data that allows the search engine and third-party websites to track your activity.

To stop this from happening, DuckDuckGo protects its users with two strategies.

First, DuckDuckGo reroutes your clicks to make it impossible for websites to determine how you got to a website. Suppose you searched for a local restaurant and clicked its website’s link in the search results, the website owner wouldn’t see that you found their website after you searched for “Thai restaurant near me.”

Second, DuckDuckGo displays an encrypted version of the websites you click. This strategy prevents the website from learning any information about you, as DuckDuckGo essentially creates a wall between you and the site.

No User Profile Collection

Search engines like Google generate a picture of who you are through a “user profile.” This user profile describes general information about you, including your:

Search engines then pair this data with your browsing history and cookies, which allows them to generate an idea of — and capitalize on — your interests.

Search engines use this user profile to filter the advertising content that you see. Many brands want to advertise to specific demographics (for example, North American male Mac users aged 22–30).

As DuckDuckGo’s privacy features prevent the search engine from collecting identifying data about you and your searches, it lets you browse the internet without a user profile. This feature is excellent for anyone who wants to dodge personalized ads.

This feature also has another benefit: it eliminates filter bubbles. When you get stuck in a “filter bubble,” your search engine prioritizes your search results by your user profile. As filter bubbles can limit your searches, browsing the internet without a user profile helps you get more complete results.

Tor Exit Enclave

While many DuckDuckGo users are happy with the encryption provided by its other features, some users prefer to fully encrypt their internet activity with Tor (i.e., “The Onion Router”).

Tor is an internet browser that allows people to browse the internet anonymously. When you use Tor, your searches route through multiple encrypted servers.

This strategy makes it impossible for anyone to track your internet use, as multiple layers of encryption protect your browsing data.

DuckDuckGo helps users browse the internet through Tor by operating a Tor exit enclave. This enclave allows users to use DuckDuckGo through Tor quickly, without sacrificing anonymity.

To use DuckDuckGo’s Tor exit enclave, you’ll need to download Tor and use DuckDuckGo’s search engine.

Content Security Policy Reports

Like many other internet companies, DuckDuckGo’s search engine protects users from malicious websites using a Content Security Policy (CSP).

CSP’s communicate with your web browser to identify and block third-party websites that may launch a cybersecurity attack on you.

DuckDuckGo’s CSP protects you from a range of attacks, including:

• Cross-Site-Scripting (XSS) attacks : A website injects unwanted and malicious code into your browser during these attacks.
• Code injection attacks : An attacker injects code into your computer or server during these attacks and then alters your or your website’s actions (for example, redirecting you or your users to another website).
• Clickjacking attacks : During these attacks, an attacker tricks you into clicking on something malicious.

DuckDuckGo’s CSP feature works through its search engine, meaning you can use it through DuckDuckGo.com, the Privacy Essentials browser extension, or the mobile app.

Why DuckDuckGo Is Better for Privacy

In the previous section, we covered plenty of DuckDuckGo’s privacy features. But why is DuckDuckGo better for privacy overall?

Each of DuckDuckGo’s features protects users from a particular threat. While some of these threats may seem small and insignificant, they can add up very quickly. Most internet users perform multiple searches every day. You’re constantly giving nuggets of data about yourself to websites unknowingly.

Ultimately, DuckDuckGo gives users some of the privacy and anonymity benefits of more intense solutions like Tor without impacting your web browsing experience.

That said, DuckDuckGo isn’t a perfect tool.

DuckDuckGo Privacy Concerns

DuckDuckGo is a beneficial technology, but users do have some concerns with it. This section will briefly outline two of those concerns.

Affiliate Links

DuckDuckGo finances itself through search engine advertisements and affiliate links . DuckDuckGo’s search engine advertisements operate just like Google or Yahoo’s (except it doesn’t rely on your data).

Furthermore, its affiliate links automatically apply when you purchase on Amazon or eBay. When DuckDuckGo uses an affiliate link, the sales platform pays the company a commission on your purchase.

While this does give DuckDuckGo access to your purchase data (like what you bought), the company cannot access any identifying data (like your shipping address).

Localized Results

While DuckDuckGo doesn’t use your IP address, the search engine uses your location data when you search for terms like “Thai restaurant near me.” Specifically, DuckDuckGo uses a GEO::IP lookup, which approximates your location.

Sometimes this data is very accurate, while other times, it isn’t.

DuckDuckGo will sometimes ask users for their location to provide more exact search results. If DuckDuckGo wants to use your location, it’ll ask you with a popup like this:

As the popup mentions, DuckDuckGo doesn’t store your location data on its servers.

How to Maximize DuckDuckGo Privacy

While DuckDuckGo already provides users with a reasonable degree of privacy, there are ways to get the most out of the technology. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Download the DuckDuckGo browser extension and turn on all privacy settings.
• Check the Privacy Grade of websites you visit frequently.
• Download the mobile app and use its “burn” button after each internet session.
• Get a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that lets you browse anonymously.
• Pair DuckDuckGo with the Brave Browser .
• Use Tor with DuckDuckGo as an exit enclave.

How DuckDuckGo Compares to Other Search Engines

If you consider trying out DuckDuckGo, you may be wondering how it compares to Google, Bing, and Yahoo.

DuckDuckGo vs Google

While DuckDuckGo is a great Google alternative , Google is a superior search engine in terms of results.

Google understands your queries in context, prioritizes up-to-date content, and personalizes your searches based on your behavior and user profile. Google Search also integrates with other Google products like Google Maps and Google Workspace .

Although DuckDuckGo’s search engine has features like Bang searches, it can’t deliver you the same level of customization as Google.

If you need comprehensive search features, you might choose Google, but if you value your data privacy, you may prefer DuckDuckGo.

DuckDuckGo vs Bing

Bing isn’t as popular as Google, but it’s still a good search engine. Bing has very advanced image search features, an explorer panel, Bing apps, and Bing Rebates as part of the Microsoft Rewards program.

DuckDuckGo’s image search features don’t stack up to Bing’s, but it does offer anonymous browsing.

DuckDuckGo vs Yahoo

Yahoo is a very customizable search engine. It allows users to adjust the interface to their tastes, and it delivers personalized advertisements. Yahoo Search also works well with other Yahoo products like Yahoo News and Yahoo Mail.

However, Yahoo isn’t as good as Bing and Google in delivering image and video content .

DuckDuckGo, Bing, and Yahoo are comparable in search engine functionality, but the best option for you will depend on your privacy tastes and online habits.

How to Install DuckDuckGo

Now that you know more about DuckDuckGo, let’s dive into the search engine itself.

There are three ways you can use DuckDuckGo:

DuckDuckGo.com

• A browser extension
• The company’s iOS and Android apps

We’ve outlined the steps for accessing each option below.

DuckDuckGo Browser Extension

DuckDuckGo doesn’t currently have its own desktop browser, but you can add DuckDuckGo to your browser as an extension. The extension is now available on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox , Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Safari.

Google Chrome

• Follow this link to the Chrome store .
• Click “Add to Chrome” on the right-hand side of your screen.
• Click “Add Extension” when prompted.
• Wait for Chrome to install DuckDuckGo.

Mozilla Firefox

• Follow this link to Mozilla Add Ons .
• Click “Download Firefox and get the extension.”
• Click “Confirm” when prompted.
• Wait for Mozilla Firefox to install DuckDuckGo.

Microsoft Edge

• Follow this link to the Microsoft store .
• Click “Get.”
• Wait for Microsoft Edge to install DuckDuckGo.
• Follow this link to the Opera Add-Ons store .
• Click “Download Now.”
• Confirm your download.
• Wait for Opera to install DuckDuckGo.
• Follow this link to the Mac App Store .
• Click “Get App.”
• Wait for Safari to install DuckDuckGo.

Internet Explorer

DuckDuckGo’s extension isn’t currently available for Internet Explorer. If you’d like to use DuckDuckGo with Internet Explorer, you can set DuckDuckGo as your default search engine by:

• Going to “DuckDuckGo.com”
• Selecting “Make this my default search provider.”
• Clicking “Add”

If you’re new to using DuckDuckGo, you might want to test the search engine out before you download it.

You can use the search engine by visiting the webpage “ duckduckgo.com .” You then use DuckDuckGo like any other search engine.

While DuckDuckGo delivers you results like other search engines do, it also has a few unique quirks. That includes its font , how it delivers search results, and its features.

As you can see from the image below, DuckDuckGo doesn’t mark your search results with page numbers. Instead, it gives you the option to see “More Results” or turn on infinite scroll.

You can also alter your search settings at the top of the browser.

These settings let you change the country you are browsing from, the level of safe search you want to use (“Strict,” “Moderate,” or “Off”), and your personal settings — language, infinite scroll , layout, and text size.

DuckDuckGo’s search engine also has a search function known as “Bang!”. Bang searches allow you to search inside a domain quickly. These searches generally use the format “!(shortcut): (search term)”, where the “shortcut” refers to the website.

For example, you can search for content on Youtube with the bang search “!yt: (search term)”. Some of the most popular Bang searches include:

• “!gimg:” — used for Google image searches
• “!nf:” — used for Netflix searches
• “!giphy:” — used for Giphy searches
• “!hulu:” — used for Hulu searches

You can also learn how to change your default search engine to have instant access to DuckDuckGo through your browser’s address bar.

DuckDuckGo Mobile Apps

DuckDuckGo currently has two mobile apps: one for iOS devices and another for Android.

To download the iOS device, you simply need to:

• Go to the Apple app store.
• Search for “DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser.”
• Click “Get” and confirm your download with your password or touch ID.
• Wait for the app to download.

To download the Android app, you simply need to:

• Go to the Google Play store.
• Search for “DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser” (or click here ).
• Click “Install” and confirm your download.

Once you’ve downloaded either app, you can start browsing or follow our earlier instructions to set DuckDuckGo as your default search app.

DuckDuckGo is a great Google, Bing, and Yahoo alternative for anyone who wants to use the internet anonymously.

While DuckDuckGo’s search engine isn’t as robust as Google’s, it works fine for most day-to-day queries. Moreover, it offers unique privacy features that protect your data from websites, other search engines, and any malicious parties .

For us, the best DuckDuckGo features are its ad-blocking browser extension, untracked browsing, Burn Bar, Tor exit enclave, and privacy grades.

What else do you like about DuckDuckGo? Share with us in the comments section!

Salman Ravoof is a self-taught web developer, writer, creator, and a huge admirer of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). Besides tech, he's excited by science, philosophy, photography, arts, cats, and food. Learn more about him on his website , and connect with Salman on Twitter .

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Is there anyway to set Duck Duck go so that it will not search U.S. sites. I find it frustrating when I’m looking for something in Canada only to get a bunch of crap regarding similar named in

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DuckDuckGo vs Safari

DuckDuckGo is a web browser that was built mainly to respect the privacy of the users so this web browser is known for its transparency towards its users. It was built by DuckDuckGo Incorporation. The development credit for this browser goes to Gabriel Weinberg and his team. It supports various operating systems like Mac, Windows, Android etc. 

Safari is also a web browser used for surfing the internet and it was built by Apple. It was mainly used on the Mac operating system but it can also be used on Windows operating system. Initially, it was released in 2003, just like chrome it is also freeware. It is open source and is written using different programming languages like C++, Swift etc.

Following is a table of differences between DuckDuckGo and Safari:

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DuckDuckGo vs Safari – What is the Difference

When it comes to browsing the internet, there are countless options to choose from.

Two popular choices are DuckDuckGo and Safari, each with its own unique features and advantages.

In this article, we will provide an in-depth analysis of both browsers to help you decide which one is the best for your needs.

Overview of DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused browser that was launched in 2008.

One of its main features is that it doesn’t track or collect any personal information about its users.

It also has a feature called “!Bang” which allows users to search specific websites directly from the search bar.

DuckDuckGo also has a built-in ad-blocker and tracker blocker.

Pros and Cons of Using DuckDuckGo

One of the biggest advantages of using DuckDuckGo is the increased privacy and security it provides.

It doesn’t collect any personal information, and the built-in ad-blocker and tracker blocker help protect users from unwanted ads and tracking.

However, DuckDuckGo may not be the best choice for those who want to customize their browsing experience with a wide range of extensions.

DuckDuckGo differs from other browsers in that it doesn’t collect any personal information from its users.

It also has a built-in ad-blocker and tracker blocker which helps protect users from unwanted ads and tracking.

Overview of Safari

Safari is a web browser developed by Apple and is the default browser on all Apple devices.

It has a clean and simple user interface, and it is known for its speed and performance.

Safari also has a feature called “Intelligent Tracking Prevention” which helps protect users’ privacy by blocking cross-site tracking.

Pros and Cons of Using Safari

One of the main advantages of using Safari is its speed and performance.

It is also the default browser on all Apple devices, making it a convenient choice for those who use Apple products.

However, Safari may not be the best choice for those who are looking for a more customizable browsing experience, as it has fewer extensions available compared to other browsers.

Safari differs from other browsers in that it is the default browser on all Apple devices, making it a convenient choice for those who use Apple products.

It is also known for its speed and performance, which sets it apart from other browsers.

Comparison of DuckDuckGo and Safari

Comparison of privacy and security features.

Both DuckDuckGo and Safari prioritize the privacy and security of their users, but they go about it in different ways.

DuckDuckGo doesn’t collect any personal information and has a built-in ad-blocker and tracker blocker, while Safari has a feature called “Intelligent Tracking Prevention” which helps protect users’ privacy by blocking cross-site tracking.

Comparison of Performance and User Experience

Safari is known for its speed and performance, making it a great option for those who value a smooth browsing experience.

DuckDuckGo, on the other hand, is a more privacy-focused browser and may not have the same level of performance as Safari.

Comparison of Additional Features

When it comes to customization options, Safari may not be the best choice, as it has fewer extensions available compared to other browsers.

DuckDuckGo also has fewer customization options compared to other browsers, but it does offer a “!Bang” feature which allows users to search specific websites directly from the search bar.

Both browsers have the basic features such as bookmarks and history, but Safari has a feature called “Reading List” which allows users to save webpages to be read later.

In conclusion, both DuckDuckGo and Safari have their own unique advantages and disadvantages.

DuckDuckGo is a great option for those who prioritize privacy and security, while Safari is a great option for those who value speed and performance.

It ultimately comes down to personal preference and what features are most important to the individual user.

We recommend trying both browsers and deciding for yourself which one you prefer.

Remember that it’s important to consider all the factors such as security, performance, and customization options before making a final decision.

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> Resources > What Is the Most Secure & Private Web Browser

What Is the Most Secure & Private Web Browser for 2024?

M aintaining your security and protecting your anonymity on the internet is tough when you’re browsing the web. In this article, we'll take a look at the available browser options.

M aintaining your security and protecting your anonymity on the internet is arguably one of the hardest things to pull off when you’re browsing the web.

However, there are quite a few hardened browsers that offer excellent protection for your browsing sessions. In addition, there are extensions available to add protection to the popular browsers that most people use.

In this article, I’ll share information about the popular “mainstream” browsers, and also discuss some options and settings you can adjust in your favorite browser to enhance the security of said browser.

We will take a look at alternative browsers that, while based on mainstream browsers, all add additional security and privacy features designed to provide better protection for you during your browsing sessions.

Finally, I’ll share some web browser extensions that I particularly like, which offer increased security for your online travels. They’re free to use and can help prevent ad tracking, as well as increase the possibilities of avoiding the malware that’s just waiting to pounce on your browser.

• Mainstream Browsers

In this section, I’ll provide a look at the “mainstream” browsers most readers are probably most familiar with. These browsers include Microsoft’s Edge browser, Google’s Chrome, Mozilla’s Firefox, Apple’s Safari, and Opera Software’s Opera.

As we’ll see, while these browsers aren’t the most secure and private available, users continue to prefer them due to their convenience.

• Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge is the Redmond firm’s attempt to put the security-hole-ridden days of Internet Explorer behind them and offer a more secure and sleeker web browsing experience.

In addition to Windows 10, Microsoft Edge is also available for iOS and Android devices. Both versions provide background syncing of information with your Windows 10 PC to allow seamless browsing across all devices.

Microsoft designed Edge to be more secure than Internet Explorer, removing some features while adding others. The browser does not offer support for VBScript, JScript, VML, Browser Helper Objects, Toolbars or ActiveX controls.

Microsoft has removed support for legacy Internet Explorer document modes, saying that removing support for these features significantly reduces the browser’s “attack surface,” making it more secure than IE was.

In Windows 10, Microsoft added their “Windows Hello” technology, which is a system to authenticate both the user and the website they are accessing.

“Windows SmartScreen” helps to defend against phishing attempts by performing reputation checks on websites, blocking any that appear to be phishing sites. The technology also helps to defend users against being tricked into installing malicious applications via socially-engineered attacks.

Despite Microsoft’s efforts on the security-hardening front, at the March 2021 Pwn2Own hacking event , participants were able to execute remote code on the Edge browser.

The event offers cash rewards to “ethical hackers” who can attack vulnerabilities in the major browser platforms, including Edge, Chrome, Safari and Firefox. I’ll share more about each browser’s performance at Pwn2Own in their own sections.

• Google Chrome

Google Chrome is available on the Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android and iOS platforms.

The Chrome browser is based on the open-source Chromium browser project. The browser supports expanded functionality via a vast collection of extensions, available through the Chrome web store.

Participants at the  Pwn2Own 2021 event hacked Google Chrome, Safari, and Microsoft Edge, while other competitors, including Firefox, have been compromised in the past.

Google uses two blacklists: one for phishing and another for malware. (A blacklist is a list of websites or IP addresses that are sources of spam, viruses, fraud and other malicious activity and payloads.) Chrome uses the list to warn users when they attempt to visit a potentially harmful website. The browser also offers download scanning protection to protect against malware.

The browser “sandboxes” its tabs, preventing them from interacting with critical memory functions, such as operating system memory and user files. This helps prevent device infection from malicious code. The sandbox can only respond to communication requests that the user places.

Chrome does not offer a master password function to prevent access to a user’s passwords, which the browser stores, which is a major security fault.

The browser offers an “Incognito” private browsing feature , which prevents the browser from permanently storing users’ history information or cookies from any visited websites.

It should be noted that Incognito mode does not prevent a third party, such as a hacker or even a user’s own Internet Service Provider, from observing a user’s online antics. Only an encrypted connection, such as what a Virtual Private Network (VPN) offers, can protect that information. (See my “Other Methods of Securing Your Web Browsing” section for more information.)

The online search and advertising firm Google develops and maintains the Chrome browser, and as such, Google tracks Chrome users’ online activities and search history in order to serve targeted ads during a web browsing session. This is an intrusion into a user’s privacy, spurring many to explore other browser options.

• ​Mozilla Firefox

Firefox is an open-source browser that the Mozilla Foundation founded. The browser is available on most popular desktop and mobile computing platforms, including Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS and Android.

The most recent Pwn2Own event included the opportunity to attempt to hack Firefox . Participants made two hacking attempts against the browser. Only one attempt, which was able to elevate system privileges by using an integer overflow and an uninitialized buffer in the Windows operating system kernel, was successful. (Don’t worry if you didn’t understand that – what’s important is that it was hacked.)

Firefox limits scripts on one site from accessing data from another website (making it tougher to track or read data from another website), and uses SSL/TLS to protect web server communications via the HTTPS protocol . The browser is compatible with the popular HTTPS Everywhere add-on to enforce HTTPS, even if you enter a normal HTTP address.

Firefox generally has fewer security vulnerabilities than Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, making it a popular alternative for security-minded users. When Mozilla discovers bugs, many of which paid researchers searching for security holes find, Mozilla quickly patches them.

Mozilla recently released Firefox “Quantum,” which provides a number of security and speed enhancements , and which uses less memory than before.

The browser offers a Private Browsing feature , which blocks online trackers while browsing and doesn’t keep a record of the user’s browsing history while it is enabled. The new browser also offers protection against hidden ad tracking.

Unlike Google, Firefox creator Mozilla is a non-profit organization and doesn’t make use of a Firefox user’s browsing and search history to serve up ads . Instead, the company is a champion of internet privacy and safety.

• ​Safari Web Browser

Released in 2003, Apple’s Safari web browser is available only on the Mac OS X, macOS, iOS and iPadOS computing platforms. Apple announced a Windows version of the WebKit-based browser in June 2007, but Apple discontinued the Windows version in May 2012 and no longer supports it.

Safari didn’t really fare well at Pwn2Own in 2021 , as a hacker was able to score a cool $100 grand by pulling off a Kernel code execution through Safari.

Safari is a reasonably secure browser, although there have been numerous exploits discovered against the platform.

Some of Safari’s and the macOS operating system’s excellent security reputation has, in the past, been due to the relatively small user base for the OS. But as the Mac has become more popular with users, the platform and its built-in browser have become more attractive targets.

The current version of Safari offers “Intelligent Tracking Prevention,” designed to identify advertisers and other parties that attempt to track your online activities and remove the cross-site tracking data left behind. The browser also warns users if they attempt to visit suspicious websites.

A Private Browsing feature prevents Safari from remembering a user’s search history, which websites the user visited, or a user’s auto-fill information. In addition, a tab sandboxing feature offers protection from malicious code and malware by confining each page to a single browser tab, preventing it from crashing a browser or accessing other websites’ data.

• Opera Web Browser

Currently, the Opera web browser is available for the Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS operating systems. The browser is based on the open-source Chromium browser platform, the same one Google’s Chrome is based on.

Opera is the only browser listed in this “mainstream browser” section that did not participate in the 2017 Pwn2Own competition. However, the browser does have several security-minded features that help protect users while they traverse the net.

Perhaps the most helpful security feature of the latest version of Opera is its free, built-in Virtual Private Network (VPN) feature . The feature protects a user’s browsing session by encrypting the browser’s internet connection, shielding the user’s online antics from prying eyes.

Please note that the VPN protection is not quite as comprehensive as what pay-for-play services offer, offering only protection for any activities in the browser itself – the rest of your computer’s online activities, such as that connected to email, torrenting and other apps, are still laid bare to possible monitoring by outside parties.

Opera VPN’s connection options are also more limited than that of paid VPNs, with location options limited to only “Europe,” “Americas” and “Asia.” While this might limit your blocked-content-unlocking options, it should prove to be enough protection for those simply looking for a free and easy-to-use service to protect their browsing activities.

Opera’s fraud and malware protection has the ability to warn users of suspicious web pages, which is a feature that is turned on by default.

The browser checks any web page a user requests against a “blacklist” database of phishing and malware websites. If the requested site is on the blacklist, a warning page will display before Opera shows the page. The user must then decide, on their own, whether or not to go ahead and open the page.

The browser also includes a built-in ad blocker , which Opera claims makes “content-rich” web pages open as much as 90% faster.

• Alternative Browsers

In addition to the mainstream browsers listed in the previous section, there are a number of alternative browsers, which are designed to offer additional security and privacy protections.

These browsers are usually based on popular browser engines, such as the Chromium engine used in Google’s Chrome browser, but are modified to provide safer browsing.

In this section, we’ll take a look at 3 browsers, each of which takes a slightly different approach to securing and privatizing your web browsing sessions. All 3 browsers, while offering excellent protection, also have their own drawbacks.

• Epic Privacy Browser

The Epic Privacy Browser was designed from the ground up to provide comprehensive private browsing, with “always-on” privacy that doesn’t require toggling on a “private mode,” like some other browsers require. The browser is based on the Chromium browser engine, which is the basis for the Google Chrome browser.

Epic blocks trackers and third-party cookies, and claims to be the only browser that actively blocks thousands of trackers.

The browser also protects your web searches from being saved and tracked by automatically loading search engines via its built-in proxy, preventing the search engines from tracking users by their IP address. If available, the browser will use an HTTPS version of the websites you visit.

In addition to its other privacy protections, the Epic browser also offers a built-in encrypted proxy , similar to a VPN, which both hides your IP address and encrypts all of your data.

The browser offers 9 locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and the United Kingdom, allowing users to appear as if they are located in the selected country. You can enable the proxy from the browser’s toolbar.

Please note that during testing, many websites, especially those that are vigilant for proxy servers and VPNs, such as Netflix and Hulu, did not work properly with the encrypted proxy engaged . Epic warns that some websites, such as Facebook and Gmail, may require additional authentication steps with the proxy turned on.

Any time you open a new browsing tab, you’ll see a screen similar to that of other browsers, with a set of buttons you can click to go directly to a website. However, since Epic doesn’t track or remember any of your web travels, you’ll need to manually set up the buttons with links to your favorite websites.

The home page also offers a running count of how many trackers have been blocked during your current browsing session.

While Epic allows the use of browser extensions, the selection is limited, with just 7 extensions available at the time of this article. Extensions are available from Evernote, Clearly, Pocket, IE Tab (Windows Only), Xmarks, LastPass and RoboForm.

• Tor Browser

The Tor Browser provides one of the most secure ways available to browse the web. The browser makes use of the Tor (“The Onion Router”) network, using the network’s series of relays, which are run by volunteers and are used to encrypt and anonymize a user’s connection.

Tor’s “onion routing” is called that due to its implementation of encryption in the communication protocol stack’s application layer, which is constructed similarly to the layers of an onion. The network encrypts the data several times, never revealing the original IP address.

The browser has the ability to effectively prevent anyone from tracking your internet connection to learn your location or to monitor which websites you visit . This makes the Tor Browser a popular choice among journalists and activists who are located in countries where internet activity is closely monitored.

By bouncing a user’s connection around the Tor network, the browser makes it appear that the user is located somewhere else. As seen below, despite my actually being located in the southeastern part of the United States, whatismyip.com indicates that I am located in France.

This IP address “spoofing” feature prevents websites from learning your actual IP address and physical location. It also provides access to many websites and services that might normally be blocked to your area, due to geographical content blocking.

While the Tor Browser does a great job of anonymizing your web browsing, it only anonymizes your browser activity , and the traffic for other internet-connected apps on your computer or mobile device is routed in the usual, unprotected manner.

In addition to IP address spoofing, the Tor Browser also protects your privacy by routing your internet searches through the anonymous DuckDuckGo search site, which doesn’t track you – unlike the Bing and Google search sites.

Tor is lightweight and self-contained, which makes it an excellent candidate for including on a USB stick so you can use it on other computers, no installation needed.

Tor Browser isn’t a valid candidate for use as your daily driver browser, as the relay method used by the network to anonymize your internet usage can noticeably slow down your online experience . So, you’ll likely still want to have Chrome or another browser handy for activities that aren’t security-critical.

I advise you that the Tor Browser allows users to access some of the more dangerous, and let’s say “seedier,” parts of the web, which could lead you to encounters with viruses and malware more often than you normally might. So be careful to practice safe browsing, even with the extra access to these more “unusual” areas of the net.

• Brave Web Browser

Brave is an open-source browser based on the Chromium browser engine, which is the same engine that the Google Chrome browser uses. The lightweight browser claims improved loading speeds and reduced data usage , mostly due to its advanced ad tracking and blocking abilities.

Brave is available for the Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS platforms. It includes HTTPS Everywhere integration, blocks cookies, and boasts a growing community of developers working to improve the browser.

While Brave blocks all ads and trackers by default, you can allow selected ads and trackers via the browser’s preferences panel.

Since ads are the main source of income for many websites, the company also offers a “Brave Payments” system , which allows users to anonymously donate to content producers they like. Brave then automatically distributes microdonations to the desired content producers.

Brave does allow the use of browser extensions. However, those extensions are limited to a small number of approved extensions. Brave-approved extensions include those from 1Password, bitwarden, Dashlane, Honey, LastPass, MetaMask, PDF Viewer, Pocket and Torrent Viewer.

The browser also offers a number of innovative tab-based features, such as tab previews, which offer a full-screen preview of a tab when you hover your mouse pointer over it.

In addition, the browser includes the ability to create new private tabs on the fly and set the number of tabs to be shown per session.

• Other Methods of Securing Your Web Browsing

In addition to trying to use the most secure browser, you can also help protect your security and privacy while surfing the web by using plug-ins or adjusting the settings on your browser of choice. You can also help protect yourself by simply practicing safe computing.

In this section, I’ll share the various methods that you can use to secure your browsing by using plug-ins like HTTPS Everywhere, apps like those available from VPN providers, and the settings you can change in your browser to harden your security settings. (But never harden your heart, as Quarterflash did .)

I’ll also look at common-sense steps to take to protect yourself and your precious personal information.

HTTPS Everywhere

HTTPS Everywhere is a free extension for the Firefox, Chrome and Opera browsers on most desktop computing platforms, and on Android mobile devices. This free extension encrypts your communication with a large number of websites , making your browsing sessions more secure.

HTTPS Everywhere is the result of collaboration between The Tor Project and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Although many websites offer support for encryption over HTTPS, not all do. Or, some of the websites may use HTTPS for logins, but leave much of the rest of the site open to unencrypted HTTP communication.

HTTPS Everywhere sits in the background, quietly rewriting HTTP requests to use the more secure HTTPS on websites that support it.

The extension was inspired by Google’s increased usage of HTTPS and is designed to force the use of the secure transport layer where possible.

​Zscaler Tools (Internet Explorer 6 to 10)

While the HTTPS Everywhere extension is not officially available for Internet Explorer, there is an extension based on the HTTPS Everywhere project available for Internet Explorer 6 to 10.

Zscaler Tools – HTTPS Everywhere for Internet Explorer – is still in its early days, development-wise, as the version number of 0.0.0.3 indicates. The extension translates URLs from HTTP to HTTPS according to EFF rules and also secures cookies.

It does not support HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security) at this time, and also doesn’t provide support for custom rules. HSTS is a web server directive that tells user agents and web browsers how to handle its connection through a response header sent at the very beginning and back to the browser. 

The extension is available on the Zscaler website, and the download includes an installer. You’ll need to restart Internet Explorer to enable the extension.

​Disconnect

Disconnect is a browser extension that works on the major browser platforms (Chrome/IE/Firefox/Safari). The extension works to block web tracking, malware and “malvertising” while you roam the web. Disconnect also offers apps for Android and iOS devices.

The Disconnect button sits in your browser’s toolbar and displays the total number of tracking requests from every page you visit. If the icon is green, it means the extension has blocked all of the requests on a page. If the icon is gray, it means the extension was only able to block some of the requests.

Clicking the toolbar icon shows the type of requests that Disconnect has blocked, including advertising, analytics, social and content requests.

Google, Facebook and Twitter are shown separately, allowing you to block or unblock a site with a click of the mouse. You can also add websites to a blacklist or a whitelist to block or unblock all requests from a website.

The Disconnect service is available in three levels of service:

• Basic offers protection for a single browser, allowing you to block trackers and search privately.
• Pro blocks malware and trackers across all of your devices.
• Premium also secures your Wi-Fi connection and masks your location via the Disconnect VPN service.

I have found the Disconnect browser extension’s basic plan is perfect for my needs, as I already have a favorite VPN I use to protect my internet connection.

​DuckDuckGo

The DuckDuckGo website has long been an excellent way to prevent your search activity from the monitoring it is subject to when you use one of the big boys like Google or Bing.

The private search engine recently made an extension available for Firefox, Safari and Chrome, which offers private search, tracker network blocking and smart encryption .

The DuckDuckGo browser extension also shows you a Privacy Grade of A to F when you visit a website. This lets you view, at a glance, how well your privacy is protected on any given site.

The score is based on the presence of hidden tracker networks, the website’s privacy practices and its available encryption. (Take it from me, they’re strict. I haven’t seen a website that’s earned an “A” grade yet.)

The search company has partnered with Terms of Service Didn’t Read (TOSDR) to include their scores of the service and privacy policies of websites, when it’s available. The extension also includes DuckDuckGo’s private web search , making private searches more convenient than ever.

In addition to the browser extension, DuckDuckGo has also released a new version of their mobile private search app for iOS and Android devices.

The DuckDuckGo browser extension is available for Firefox, Safari and Chrome.

​Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) protects your internet connection by encasing it in a layer of encryption.

This prevents anyone who’s looking to monitor your connection, such as hackers, government agencies or even your own Internet Service Provider, from seeing your online travels, as well as the important personal information related to those travels.

I have tested and reviewed a large number of VPN providers on this very website, and they are a valuable tool for protecting your internet connection – especially when traveling and when you’re forced to use your computer or mobile device on an open Wi-Fi hotspot, such as those found in coffee shops, hotels and other public locations.

In addition to protecting your internet connection from prying eyes, a VPN also allows you to appear as if you’re connected in another global location. This makes it easier to access international web content , such as video and audio streaming content, that might normally be blocked from your actual location.

I strongly recommend that you check out NordVPN to protect your web browsing, no matter which browser you use. NordVPN provides top-notch online security and privacy for most popular device platforms. Its impressive global server network delivers fast connections that are protected with the latest in security and privacy measures.

In addition to comprehensive online protection, NordVPN also delivers reliable access to numerous video streaming sites around the globe. The provider protects users’ accounts with two-factor authentication and offers blocking of malware and other online-related threats.

For more information, check out my articles about the best VPNs for Chrome , Firefox , Edge , Safari and Tor .

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​Use Your Browser’s Security and Privacy Tools

You may or may not be aware that whichever browser you use, it has privacy and security settings that you can adjust to your liking . Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge browsers all have options that allow you to protect yourself while browsing.

I’ve already covered how to do this in a quite informative article, How to Browser the Web as Anonymously as Possible , which is (in my humble opinion) highly recommended reading for those interested in securing their favorite web browser.

• Action Steps

We’ve covered a lot in this article, but nothing too arcane. By taking the time to investigate your options, you can easily decide on the most secure browser for your needs, and even find ways to better strengthen your browser of choice’s own security protections with the use of extensions or a VPN.

I have personally found that Google’s Chrome, with a few well-chosen extensions such as HTTPS Everywhere and Disconnect, as well as a high-performance VPN like NordVPN , to be one of the best ways to protect online travels from prying eyes. All those individual pieces stack up to a security wall that keeps your screen from becoming cluttered with ads and adware and protects you from malware.

For privacy protection from a base browser configuration, try Brave browser. macOS Monterey 12 users can take advantage of the privacy and security improvements Apple has brought to Safari. With the proper combination of VPNs, browser extensions, and antivirus/anti-malware protection, you can be reasonably safe on the web. Just stay out of the dark corners of the web.

When I’m researching subjects like the dark web , or when I want to protect myself from detection by my ISP or friendly neighborhood government agent, I always use the Tor Browser due to its use of connection relays to obfuscate my actual location and the activities that I am conducting.

You may find that, much like your other online activities, there isn’t any single app that will cover all of your security and privacy needs. That’s why I always suggest keeping various tools in your online arsenal to protect yourself and your activities. That’s why you should also check out the other guides on my site for more information on how to protect yourself while online.

Enjoy your travels, and stay safe!

• Secure & Private Web Browser FAQs
• What Is the Most Private Browser?

Thanks to its use of multiple relays to anonymize your IP address and identity, I consider the Tor Browser to be one of the most private browsers available. However, it is also one of the slowest browsers around, thanks to using multiple relays.

• Is Mozilla's Firefox a "Safe" Browser?

Firefox is an open-source browser, meaning anyone can examine the code, and this helps keep things on the up-and-up. Firefox also offers a variety of security features, including phishing and malware protection, blocking attack websites, and warning users when a website attempts to install add-ons.

• What browser should you use when Tor is not an option?

Use a browser like Brave or Firefox. Make sure the browser settings are set to their most private, deleting your browsing history as well as your caches each time the browser is shut down. Also, use a VPN, like NordVPN , this will encrypt your internet connection, preventing your ISP and other nosy types from tracking your online travels.

• What is the least secure web browser?

Yandex, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Waterfox, are all less than secure. Yandex is owned by a Russian company that is much like Google, and like Google, it collects information about your online activities for sale to advertisers and other nosy types. Microsoft Edge is owned by a less than private company, and Waterfox is owned by an advertising firm.

• Will installing addons and toolbars slow down my browser's performance?

Depending on the addon or toolbar, it could potentially slow down your browser's performance. For example, if you install a lot of toolbars, they may take up valuable resources that could impact your browser's overall speed.

Additionally, some addons and toolbars are designed to run in the background and can use up CPU and memory resources, which can also slow down your browser. However, not all addons and toolbars will have a negative impact on your browser's performance. Some are actually designed to improve speed and efficiency. So it really depends on the particular addon or toolbar you're using.

• Do I Need to Use a Privacy Browser?

That depends, do you care if you're being tracked, putting your online privacy at risk? If the answer is yes, you need to use a privacy browser. A privacy browser automatically erases your browsing and search history, limits web tracking, and in some cases, it even helps to hide your real IP address.

• What is the Most Common Personal Web Privacy Vulnerability?

One of the most common web privacy vulnerabilities is self-inflicted. It occurs when you post your personal or business information on social media. By posting your name, address, phone number, job information, and other sensitive information you provide enough information to allow bad guys to find out more information, while also giving them enough info to possibly open new credit accounts without your knowledge.

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Google vs. DuckDuckGo vs. Bing—is it time to switch your search engine?

Comparing the top search engines for privacy.

By David Nield | Published Sep 2, 2021 8:00 PM EDT

This post has been updated. It was originally posted on February 15, 2019.

Is your search engine of choice pulling its weight? It’s perhaps a choice you’ve stopped thinking about, settling for whatever default option appears in your browser or on your phone—but as with most tech choices, you’ve got options.

[Related: 9 Google alternatives to test out ]

Google has come to dominate search to the extent that it’s become a verb in itself, but here we’re going to check how Google search stacks up against two of its biggest rivals including Microsoft’s Bing and the privacy-focused site known as DuckDuckGo.

Search results

We don’t know what you’re searching for, and without running thousands of searches across several months we can’t really present you with a comprehensive comparison of how well these search engines scour the web. What we can do is tell you how these services performed on a few sample searches.

First we tried “Abraham Lincoln”: All three search engines returned the Wikipedia page first, the History Channel site second, and Britannica third. DuckDuckGo listed Abraham Lincoln news above the search results, even though the 16th President of the United States hasn’t really been in the news lately.

As we wrote this article a few days after the 2019 Super Bowl, we tried “Super Bowl score” next, and all three search engines produced the right result in a box out above the search results. DuckDuckGo followed this with the official NFL site then some sports news sites, while Bing had a sports news site first and the NFL second. Google listed the score, then Super Bowl news, then some relevant tweets, and then other results.

Next we tried a question, specifically “how many days until Christmas?”, to see how our search engines fared. Only Google presented the right answer front and center as part of its own interface, with DuckDuckGo and Bing returning links to Christmas countdown sites instead (though Bing did put “Wednesday December 25” right at the top).

For something a little more obscure we tried “Empire of the Sun” (both a 1987 Steven Spielberg movie and a music duo). Google returned the Wikipedia sites for the film then the band at the top, Bing returned the Wikipedia page for the movie then the band’s official site, and DuckDuckGo returned the IMDB page for the Empire of the Sun film then the band’s official site.

These are slight differences really, and the “best” one really depends on your personal preference (do you want to see Twitter results, or not?). All three sites are obviously very competent with basic searches, but Google obviously has the edge when it comes to finding content besides web pages, as well as answering questions directly (no doubt thanks to all that Google Assistant technology behind the scenes).

Search features

Speaking of Google Assistant, one of the advantages of Google is of course the way it ties into all the other Google apps and services: You can search for places on Google Maps, or bring up images in Google Photos, or query your Google Calendar, right from the Google homepage (as long as you’re signed in). Try Googling “my trips” for example to see bookings stored in your Gmail account.

All three of these search engines feature filters for images, videos, news, and products; Bing and Google include a Maps option as well. You can dig in further on all three sites as well—filtering images by size or by color, for example. Google and Bing let you save searches to come back to later, whereas DuckDuckGo doesn’t (see the separate section on privacy below).

Besides from basic searches, Google and DuckDuckGo do very well on extras: Unlike Bing, they can toss a coin, roll a die, or start a timer right there on the results screen, no more clicking required. Meanwhile, both Google and Bing can display details of a flight in a pop-up box outside the search results, whereas DuckDuckGo directs you to flight-tracking websites instead.

All three of our search engines can limit results to pages that have been published recently, but Google and Bing have a “custom date” search option (say 1980-1990, for example) that isn’t available on DuckDuckGo. Google and Bing let you search by region too, whereas DuckDuckGo doesn’t.

Appearance may not be number one in your list of priorities, but Bing presents its search box on top of an appealing full-screen wallpaper image, with links to news stories and other interesting articles underneath. It’s more appealing visually than Google or DuckDuckGo, though Google has its doodles and DuckDuckGo has a few different color schemes to pick from.

As you can see, Google can do just about everything—it has been in the search engine game for a long time, after all. Bing and DuckDuckGo are able to match Google on some features, but not all, which makes it hard to switch from unless you have a specific reason to… and that brings us neatly on to the issue of user privacy.

User privacy

This is the big feature that DuckDuckGo sells itself on: As we’ve noted above, it doesn’t log what you’re searching for, and only puts up occasional advertising, which isn’t personalized and can be disabled. If you’re tired of the big tech firms hoovering up data on you, DuckDuckGo will appeal.

What’s more, the sites you visit don’t know the search terms you used to find them—something they can otherwise do by piecing together different clues from your browsing behavior and the data that your computer broadcasts publicly. DuckDuckGo also attaches to encrypted versions of site by default.

Cookies aren’t saved by DuckDuckGo either, those little files that sit locally on your computer and tell websites when you’ve visited before. Data like your IP address (your router’s address on the web) and the browser you’re using gets wiped by default too. You’re effectively searching anonymously.

There’s no doubt that both Google and Microsoft promise to protect your privacy and use the data they have on you responsibly—you can read their respective privacy policies here and here . However, it’s also true that they collect much more data on you and what you’re doing, so it’s up to you whether you trust Google and Microsoft to use it wisely.

Google knowing a lot about you does have its advantages—it’ll know when you search for “dolphins” whether you want the NFL team or the aquatic mammals, for example—so it’s up to you where you draw the line and accept the privacy trade-off. Bing and Microsoft are more or less the same in terms of data collection, though Microsoft doesn’t have the sheer range of apps and services that Google does.

The Google service is also the most likely to save you an extra click through to another website. If you want to know the lyrics to a song, for instance, they will appear above Google’s search results in most cases, where as Bing and DuckDuckGo will make you click through.

Maybe you’re happy enough to have this data collected and to see a few adverts related to what you’ve just been searching for in return for all the extra bells and whistles that Google offers, or maybe you’re much more interested in locking down how much other firms know about you as you travel the web. Whatever your requirements though, there’s a search engine to match.

David Nield is a freelance contributor at Popular Science, producing how to guides and explainers for the DIY section on everything from improving your smartphone photos to boosting the security of your laptop. He doesn't get much spare time, but when he does he spends it watching obscure movies and taking long walks in the countryside.

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