DuckDuckGo, the web browser that prioritizes protecting its users' privacy, has just announced the arrival of new tools to protect against online threats. The browser, which is already capable of blocking phishing sites, malware, and other unwanted ads, has just added several new strings to its bow. It can now automatically detect and block scam attempts.
DuckDuckGo blocks online scams
To complete its arsenal of protection, DuckDuckGo has just launched its "Scam Blocker." This tool aims to expand the existing protection system by blocking new threats.
Thus, it detects and blocks fake e-commerce sites, fake cryptocurrency investment sites, but also "scareware." If you don't know what that is, it's the fake alert messages that appear to tell you that your PC is infected with a virus. This DuckDuckGo Scam Blocker is available for free on both mobile and desktop.
A more comprehensive protection system
Unlike the solutions offered by competitors, DuckDuckGo does not rely on Google's tools. Because that would automatically require sending certain data to the Mountain View giant. For its Scam Blocker, DuckDuckGo explains that it relied on data provided by NetCraft, an independent company operating in cybersecurity.
With this new, more comprehensive protection system, DuckDuckGo aims to counter the "ever-evolving tactics" of scammers and other cybercriminals. To do this, the browser continuously receives a stream of malicious site URLs (provided by Netcraft) and stores this updated list on its servers to push any updates to your browser every twenty minutes. No data from your computer is therefore transmitted to DuckDuckGo. Because as soon as the list is up to date on your PC, the system works locally on the device.
As soon as a web page you visit appears on this list, the browser will automatically display a warning message. You can then choose to continue browsing the site in question, at your own risk, or move on.
Source: DuckDuckGo
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