DuckDuckGo expands its scam blocker to tackle fake shops, crypto sites, and scareware

DuckDuckGo has expanded its web browser's scam blocker, now providing broader protection against an increased range of online scams. Building on its existing safeguards against phishing, malware, and common scams, this update enables the tool to recognize and block fraudulent e-commerce stores, fake cryptocurrency exchanges, and scareware that pretends a user's device is infected. The coverage also includes sites that advertise fake products or services, increasing security for privacy-conscious internet users.

While many browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, and Safari use Google's Safe Browsing service and send certain browsing data to Google for phishing protection, DuckDuckGo's scam blocker operates without collecting or sharing users’ browsing data with any third parties. This privacy-focused approach differentiates DuckDuckGo from its competitors and appeals to those concerned about internet tracking.

The enhanced scam blocker is available for free as part of the DuckDuckGo browser on both desktop and mobile devices, with no sign-up required for core protection. For those seeking more advanced security, DuckDuckGo offers its Privacy Pro plan, which includes full-device scam protection via the DuckDuckGo VPN, extending safeguards even when users access the web through other web browsers.