Simple Steps to Protect Your Privacy Online
Many people believe that they can't do anything to protect their privacy online, but actually that's not true! If you’re tired of being tracked online, DuckDuckGo can help.
Download the DuckDuckGo Browser - an All-in-One Privacy Solution
If you’re unfamiliar with DuckDuckGo, we're the Internet privacy company for everyone who's had enough of hidden online tracking and wants to take back their privacy now.
Our goal is to bring you “privacy, simplified” in one download. Built right into the free DuckDuckGo browser, you'll find the privacy protections you need while you search and browse the internet – with no tradeoffs. Try on iPhone, Android, Windows, or macOS today.
Top Online Privacy Tips
Search Privately — DuckDuckGo Private Search comes built-in so you can search the web without being tracked.
Escape Website Tracking — DuckDuckGo Tracker Radar automatically blocks hidden third-party trackers we can find lurking on websites you visit, which stops the companies behind those trackers from collecting and selling your data.
Enforce Encryption — DuckDuckGo Smarter Encryption forces sites you visit to use an encrypted (HTTPS) connection where we know it to be available, protecting your data from prying eyes like Internet service providers and wifi hackers.
Taking control of your privacy doesn't have to mean making tradeoffs. With DuckDuckGo, privacy can be your default, seamlessly. For over a decade, we've been building our product, creating new privacy technology, and working with policymakers to make online privacy simple and accessible for all. Tens of millions of people use our free, all-in-one app to stay private online.
While privacy and security are not the same, if your accounts are not secured, your privacy is at risk. That’s why we also recommend you take these additional, simple steps to increase your security:
Update your software — Your device operating systems get out-of-date over time, and old software can contain security bugs that could leak personal data. Set your devices (and the apps on them) them to update automatically. That way you'll always have the latest, safest versions.
Use a password manager — Have you ever used the same password on more than one website? If the answer's yes, then your privacy may be compromised due to data leaks. The fix is easy: start creating unique passwords for every website you use. That may sound like a lot of work, but it’s not when you use a password manager. Password managers generate and store secure passwords for you automatically. Many browsers – including the DuckDuckGo browser! – now have them built-in. You can also use tools like Dashlane or 1Password, which work across multiple browsers.
Set up two-factor authentication — Two-factor authentication (also known as multi-step login) is where you use a code to log in to websites in addition to your password. You should set up two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible, and certainly on your major accounts (email, financial, etc.). You can check if major sites have it available here, which also links directly to the right documentation pages.
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Note: This blog post has been updated since initial publication.
