duckduckgo?

[iceman]

Somehow my search preferences got switched to duckduckgo. Seems harmless, maybe even beneficial, should I just leave it alone? Any idea how would it have gotten switched?

[Kenny Satch]

I use it with the adblocker app because watching youtube I get no ads.
If their claim is true that they don't track activity might explain why most sites don't like it.
That's just my limited experience
I say keep it and fuck Google because I'm sick of checking something out then getting bombarded with ads. The Duck doesn't do that so far.

[Supermoon]

DDG definitely doesn’t track individual user behavior. They only make money on search ads which you can run effectively without tracking people.

I don’t know that their search algorithm is as good as google but most of the time it won’t really matter.

One thing they have are shortcuts called Bangs where you can use their search at to search places like Amazon.

I’d say keep it as well Ice. They are legit.

[prsboogie]

Don't do it!

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using TGR Forums mobile app

[::: :::]

Am I the only one who hadn’t even heard of it until this thread?

[riser4]

DDG is good. FuckFuckYes.

[iceman]

Am I the only one who hadn’t even heard of it until this thread?

I hadn't heard of it until yesterday when suddenly it was on my computer and all my searches were going through it. I tried to get directions somewhere and it wanted me to use Apple maps and I was all wtf mate? so i started looking into it.

[MontuckyFried]

I need to start using it more. I'm tired of the feedback loops I start getting across the internet thanks to my searches being analyzed and monetized.

[FLS]

Somehow my search preferences got switched to duckduckgo. Seems harmless, maybe even beneficial, should I just leave it alone? Any idea how would it have gotten switched?

Did you google it?


I've been using DDG for a long time with no issues. Like Kenny says, not getting bombarded with ads from a recent search is nice. Plus, it feels good to to a little fu to google.

It seems a bit odd that your search would just flip to DDG though. Just make sure it's legit.

[iceman]

Yeah i did google it actually. The unnanounced switch is what mainly sketched me out, I must've clicked on something without realizing it, I wonder how I would check to see if it's legit?

[GeezerSteve]

Am I the only one who hadn’t even heard of it until this thread?

Nor have I. Weird cuz you live in OR and I have a degree from U of Oregon.

[ex-powderbroker]

safari has a lot of features to prevent tracking that can be used in tandem, too bad that googles products in search and browse are still much better.

[Tor-tour]

Damn it!!!

For once and all time, it's "Duck Duck Grayduck"

[mooseknuckles]

Been running DuckDuckGo with Ghostery and a VPN for years.

make it your default browser on your phone too

[Diamond Joe]

1st I've ever heard of DuckDuckGo too.
Also, whats "Ghostery"?? and uh, at the risk of sounding like the complete computer JONG that I am, whats VPN??

[FLS]

Yeah i did google it actually. The unnanounced switch is what mainly sketched me out, I must've clicked on something without realizing it, I wonder how I would check to see if it's legit?

Just check that its "https://duckduckgo.com/"

If you are like most here, you may want to check the "other settings" (click on the 3 bars in upper righthand corner) to set "safe search" to off

[iceman]

1st I've ever heard of DuckDuckGo too.
Also, whats "Ghostery"?? and uh, at the risk of sounding like the complete computer JONG that I am, whats VPN??

https://www.ghostery.com ghostery prevents trackers and used with adblock also prevents popups. I've been using them for a couple years anyways with no issues and it's very noticeable when they're turned off (some sites won't load with one or the other turned on, and then it's easy to forget and leave them turned off until you start getting popups again). A VPN is a Virtual Private Network, not too clear on the hows and whys on them though I think basically it prevents others from seeing what you're doing online.

[mooseknuckles]

^ iceman nailed the ghostery explanation. Makes a significant difference when it comes to popups and ad blocking.

Why You Should Be Using a VPN (and How to Choose One)
"The most important thing you need to know about a VPN: It secures your computer’s internet connection to guarantee that all of the data you’re sending and receiving is encrypted and secured from prying eyes."

If you are looking to run your whole network behind the VPN of your choice vs a single device, I have had great success with https://www.flashrouters.com

[Diamond Joe]

I see. Thanks. I'm guessing the "privacy badger" add-on that I have does a similar thing

[iceman]

Badger?

[Diamond Joe]

[iceman]

We don't need no stinkin' badgers.

[Garth Bimble]

Been using DDG for awhile now. Can't even tell the difference anymore.

A VPN is some of the best $$$ one can spend these days. Doesn't guarantee security on the internet but goes a long way. Also, if you've got a streaming TV service you can use it to fool the service as to what your location is so you can watch out of area programming. This weekend mine thought I was in Vegas, Dallas and Denver all on the same day. I also use it so I can watch Avalanche games on the NHL app even though I'm in a blacked out area. $60 a year...can't beat that.

[Kenny Satch]

We don't need no stinkin' badgers.

[mooseknuckles]

Been using DDG for awhile now. Can't even tell the difference anymore.

A VPN is some of the best $$$ one can spend these days. Doesn't guarantee security on the internet but goes a long way. Also, if you've got a streaming TV service you can use it to fool the service as to what your location is so you can watch out of area programming. This weekend mine thought I was in Vegas, Dallas and Denver all on the same day. I also use it so I can watch Avalanche games on the NHL app even though I'm in a blacked out area. $60 a year...can't beat that.

Excellent points! We only stream, not letting the ISP know what/how the data is being consumed is crucial. The ability to change IP address allows you the ability set your location so that you are able to view NHL, MLB etc games that are blacked out in your "home" market. It also allows you to sign up for the service at the yurp rate which is far less then the canuckstanis or USandA prices. Current IP is showing Berlin, only 9 time zones away.