DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo search is a reliable search engine with several cons

DuckDuckGo is considered to be a reputable search engine and it is NOT a virus! We want to put this forward not to give you the wrong impression about the software which receives average traffic of 15.5 million per month. Having in mind its popularity, it might be that you already came across Duck Duck Go at some point, especially if you have been looking for a new search tool that does not spy on your online activities. As you might already know, browser hijackers which modify search engines often collect various details about the user’s browsing or even about the user himself. Gladly, this beforementioned search engine is concerned about keeping the user’s privacy under required protection.

As we all know, privacy is a very rare feature found in search engines^[1] and there is a wide belief that this search engine can be used to avoid tracking ^[2]. However, you should keep in mind that DuckDuckGo has been employing active promotion strategies. So, it may happen that the search engine may show up on your browser without your direct permission. 

Such tendencies of software distribution are not new and are considered to be legitimate. However, they have been actively used by both, reliable developers and shady search providers. If you have just found DuckDuckGo on your Mac, iPhone, Android or computer, the only person who is to blame for letting this search provider into the system is you. Why is that, you ask?

That’s because you are the one who allows the installation of bundled programs by skipping important installation steps of the freeware. If you want to know what steps do you need to perform to avoid DuckDuckGo search engine, check further paragraphs. Ensure that you have read all the below-provided information carefully in order to reach the best option.

What is more, right after you enter the official website of the software, you can immediately notice how much stress does this web page put on your browsing habits. This might interfere with your browsing sessions as it tends to direct its users to other domains occasionally. This phenomenon might become far from annoying as it tries to promote sponsored websites and help them increase their visitors’ traffic. 

If you don’t want to deal with these redirects, we recommend you to remove DuckDuckGo search engine. For time-saving purposes, install Reimage Reimage Cleaner to help you. Note that, even if this program is not malicious and can be used as a reliable browser tool, there is no need of keeping it on your computer system if you are not likely to have it.

The latest versions of this search tool are compatible with Android and iOS. If you are dealing with any of these versions on your smartphone or tablet you should uninstall them without hesitation. Apart from the previously-mentioned redirect tendency, the hijacker may add related plug-ins to your browser^[3]. If you are not OK with that, DuckDuckGo removal should be your current priority.

DuckDuckGo – a reliable search engine which has been misleadingly spread via the unfair freeware and shareware as an optional component. As a result, people think that they are infected.

DuckDuckGo – a reliable search engine which has been misleadingly spread via the unfair freeware and shareware as an optional component. As a result, people think that they are infected.

Right after you open the Privacy Policy or End User’s License Agreement of this search tool, you can see that the privacy is the main concern of its developers. They claim that they do not compile any personal information of their users and do not share it with third parties. Nevertheless, if you read further, you might see the following provisions which contradict each other:

“When you search at DuckDuckGo, we don’t know who you are and there is no way to tie your searches together. 

We also save searches, but again, not in a personally identifiable way (…) Similarly, we may add an affiliate code to some eCommerce sites (e.g. Amazon & eBay) that results in small commissions being paid back to DuckDuckGo when you make purchases at those sites.”

In short, every website collects more or less technical information about the users. It does so not only for marketing purposes but for maintaining the security of their websites. While using this search engine, you might encounter DuckDuckGo redirect from time to time. It means that the web page might guide you to the domains of its partners.

Likewise, these third-parties might employ various tracking technologies^[4] to collect the information which defines your personal browsing preferences. After acquiring such data, online advertising companies might cram your browser with frustrating personalized commercial offers. 

Reasons for obtaining unwanted search services

According to tech experts,^[5] usually, possibly unwanted programs infiltrate computers by disguising under the freeware^[6]. Users also contribute to such distribution peculiarities as they quickly rush through the installation wizard without even realizing that “bonus” programs come along legitimate applications as well.

In order to escape DuckDuckGo hijack in the future, change the usual sequence of installation order:

1. Run the software installation wizard and select “Advanced” mode.
2. Then, you should notice several check boxes that ask you do agree to download additional add-ons. Unmark them all.

If you accidentally enabled them and they got installed eventually, rest assured as the PUP can be easily removed. Keep in mind that downloading and installing a reliable antimalware program will also prevent installations of questionable-looking programs and for the content that you did not apply any requests to download on your machine.

DuckDuckGo is a browser tool which is compatible with operating systems such as Windows, Mac, and Android

DuckDuckGo is a browser tool which is compatible with operating systems such as Windows, Mac, and Android

Easy way to remove DuckDuckGo

If you want to initiate DuckDuckGo removal on your computer, check the manual removal steps that are given below. You need to uninstall this search engine and also reset your browsers to get rid of it. This process overtakes different types of web browser apps such as Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, Edge, Safari, etc.

Once you finish this procedure and DuckDuckGo is no longer on your PC, you should also think about a full system scan with anti-spyware software to make sure that your computer is totally safe and free of serious computer pests. For that, you need to use one of the security programs that are given below, update it to its latest version and run a full system scan.

Usually, it takes only a couple of minutes to remove DuckDuckGo virus properly from the device. Lastly, do not forget that personal cautiousness significantly reduces the chances of encountering a cyber threat.

FAQ:

Question. DuckDuckGo website has replaced my homepage. Although it really looks cool, it makes my computer lag and displays some annoying ads. I decided that I do not need this search engine nor do I want to use it… Can you tell me what should I do?

Answer. If DuckDuckGo has appeared as your default homepage and also as a primary search engine, you might have been inattentive while installing another app on your computer. However, it is NOT a virus, so you can use it for your searches. If the previously-used search engine looks better for you, we recommend you to remove DuckDuckGo search from your PC. You can find the removal guidelines below.

You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner . SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.