DuckDuckGo, known for its privacy-first browser and search engine, has rolled out an upgraded version of its Scam Blocker tool. The enhanced feature now goes beyond traditional phishing and malware protection to also block access to deceptive e-commerce sites, fake surveys, suspicious cryptocurrency platforms, and misleading “scareware” pages that trick users into thinking their devices are infected.
If a user clicks on a potentially harmful link, the Scam Blocker immediately stops the website from loading. Instead, a warning screen appears, alerting the user that the site may pose a security risk. The message also explains that the site has been flagged for potentially trying to deceive users into making payments, purchasing counterfeit products, or installing malware. Users can then exit the page safely without interacting with it.
Unlike many browsers that rely on third-party data, DuckDuckGo has developed this feature in-house, ensuring that user information is not shared or tracked. The tool uses regularly updated threat data from Netcraft, an independent internet services firm. These updates are pushed to the browser every 20 minutes, with the entire list stored locally on users’ devices, ensuring both speed and privacy when verifying websites.
Scam Blocker is available free of charge for desktop and web users and comes enabled by default. For users subscribed to DuckDuckGo’s ₹830-per-month (approx.) Privacy Pro plan, the tool also works across other browsers, extending its protection beyond just DuckDuckGo’s own platforms.
