Discussion Thread DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser for Desktop (Mac / Windows)

[MuzzMelbourne]

DuckDuckGo’s Web Browser Won’t Rely on Any Chrome Technology | Digital Trends

DuckDuck Go is developing a new desktop browser, but it won’t be using Chromium. It’s the latest product by the company as it gains traction against Google.

www.digitaltrends.com

DuckDuckGo - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

DuckDuckGo browser beta for Windows bakes in a lot of privacy tools

No extensions yet, but it can fight spam, tracking, and YouTube's algorithm.

arstechnica.com

I'm sure there's more if you look for it, as a matter of fact, you can talk to the guy who developed it if you hook-up with Reddit, Twitter, yada yada.

 

[brambedkar59]

DuckDuckGo’s Web Browser Won’t Rely on Any Chrome Technology | Digital Trends

DuckDuck Go is developing a new desktop browser, but it won’t be using Chromium. It’s the latest product by the company as it gains traction against Google.

www.digitaltrends.com

That's a weird way of saying "we are using Chromium but don't wanna say we are using Chromium" (on Windows OS).

The WebView2 control uses Microsoft Edge as the rendering engine to display the web content in native apps.

Introduction to Microsoft Edge WebView2 - Microsoft Edge Development

Host web content in your Win32, .NET, UWP apps with the Microsoft Edge WebView2 control.

learn.microsoft.com

 

[MuzzMelbourne]

That's a weird way of saying "we are using Chromium but don't wanna say we are using Chromium" (on Windows OS).

How on earth did you read that in to what was said?

I'm sorry, but web page rendering is an issue for you? What possible way can that make DDG "chromium based"? If it was a Google page renderer, maybe.

Seriously, when Mac user's got the desktop DDG browser Window's users screamed "what about us". Well, now you've got it.

Can I suggest you just try it... you might be surprised.

 

[JustInTime]

What possible way can that make DDG "chromium based"?

@brambedkar59 is saying that DDG is using MS Edge Webview 2 which uses MS Edge which is based on chromium so it is like saying "I live in Florida but I don't live in USA".

The Microsoft Edge WebView2 control allows you to embed web technologies (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) in your native apps. The WebView2 control uses Microsoft Edge as the rendering engine to display the web content in native apps.

Introduction to Microsoft Edge WebView2 - Microsoft Edge Development

 

[silversurfer]

Just tried this browser, screenshots: new tab page, main browser settings.




This browser does use technology: Microsoft Edge WebView2

 

[brambedkar59]

Just tried this browser, screenshots: new tab page, main browser settings.

View attachment 276420View attachment 276421


This browser does use technology: Microsoft Edge WebView2

View attachment 276422

Reminds me of the MS Spartan browser, it looks so clean w/o any bloat

 

[MuzzMelbourne]

I concede...

But I still think DDG is a bloody good little browser.

Edit.
Let's throw this into the mix...

Chrome for iPhone isn’t the same as Chrome for desktop. There are plenty of cross-over features, but like all iOS browsers, it’s really Safari under the hood.

Four New Google Chrome Features Coming to Your iPhone

You can now create calendar events and look up addresses without leaving the browser.

lifehacker.com

 

[Trooper]

I may need to check this out. However no extension support might be a no go for me at the moment.

 

[Captain Holly]

I normally don't do Beta software but I was curious about this one so I downloaded it. The lack of extensions is definitely strange. There are also no themes to change the appearance other than the default light/dark/Windows theme. It looks really stark and plain. There is no way to set a home page and the bookmark manager really does not do very much except import bookmarks from another browser.

The built in ad blocker/tracker blocker does seem to work. It blocked ads on the sites I tested but there is no option to white list or allow ads where ad blockers might block other content. DDG browser also failed the AMTSO phishing test. I wonder if DDG will eventually allow extensions from the chrome store. Or maybe they will have their own proprietary extensions or borrow extensions from Firefox?

I see the browser having good potential if DDG fixes it up with useful tools/settings and extensions without any unwanted bloat. That would be the only way I might be interested in using it. I realize it is a Beta but still for now I say DDG browser needs a lot more work.

C.H.

 

[Captain Holly]

Something else I just noticed, when you open a new tab in DDG it shows a list of your recent browsing history and blocked trackers. That part is OK but there is no way to set a specific page to load when you open the new tab. A minor thing but still it's a feature I would like to see implemented.

C.H.

 

[Trooper]

Thanks for the info. I think I am going to wait a bit before trying this one. Cheers!

 

[HarborFront]

Does it pass the privacy tests here? If not then extensions are needed.

Browserleaks - Check your browser for privacy leaks

BrowserLeaks is a suite of tools that offers a range of tests to evaluate the security and privacy of your web browser. These tests focus on identifying ways in which websites may leak your real IP address, collect information about your device, and perform a browser fingerprinting.

browserleaks.com

 

[rhythm]

I tested out the DDG browser. The DDG browser has the potential to rival Chrome once it reaches full functionality and stability. The beta is operating smoothly. I would appreciate the release of the EXE version.

 

[Ink]

I'm excited to try it!
Edit - Just installed it and it installs through Microsoft store/app installer which I'm not keen on It's very fast and snappy though which is nice. UI and interface is nice and minimalistic. Hopefully there will be support for 3rd party extensions in the future

The current desktop version for Mac, allows integration with Bitwarden. Does the Windows edition not have this yet?

Bitwarden and DuckDuckGo have partnered to offer Bitwarden functionality inside the DuckDuckGo macOS browser! The integration allows for seamless auto-filling, creating, and updating of credentials in your Bitwarden vault while using login forms in DuckDuckGo. The integration requires the Bitwarden desktop app to be installed on your machine and unlocked in order to access vault items from DuckDuckGo.

IMO — I do not believe it’s their intention to make their Privacy Browser less secure, by allowing anyone to install any third-party extensions.

Feedback can be submitted directly to them from the Settings page > About.

 

[PlayerFromTheITtic]

Hello there, fellow malwaretipsians!

Ranting is not something I usually do (although I'm French ha ha), so if you're not exactly in the mood for that feel free to skip it.


Gonna sound harsh, but this browser is more of a sad joke really. The philosophy of using OS rendering APIs for web page rendering is not the worst, but when it comes to Windows it backfires, as it relies on Blink -the rendering engine used by Chromium-based browsers- and likes being chatty with Microsoft. But given the previous controversy between DuckDuckGo and Microsoft, one shouldn't be surprised they're hand to hand in such twisted, trust-uninspiring way.

Yet another browser with subpar features (I get it it's a beta and not feature-complete, but I don't have high hopes for the final product), yet another browser going to use Chromium tech at its core (although here, it's "indirectly" but still), and a second hypocrite move from DuckDuckGo ("We do stuff to protect your privacy, ask our friend from Redmond").

Gonna happily stick to the Firefox/LibreWolf/Vivaldi trio for now, beduckduckgone!

 

[MuzzMelbourne]

I have read with great interest the comments in this thread. It is clear that, since the recent introduction of the Windows version, there are issues with DDG I, as a lonley Mac user, weren't across that present concerns for me. Thanks for the heads-up folks.

Interestingly I had recently returned to Safari as my primary browser because of DDG's lack of innovation and development over the past couple of year's. It seemed to be going nowhere.

So, can you guy's give me a quick summary of your thought's on Opera as an option to Safari?

My primary interest in Opera is it's Crypto Browser because it provides Web3 functionality not offered by Safari. I know Brave offers similar options but I tried Brave and we just didn't get on.

I'm more than happy to stick with Safari if it get's the thumbs up though.

Cheers.

 

[oldschool]

@MuzzMelbourne Haven't used DDG and haven't used Opera on Mac but I hated it on Windows. I'd suggest sticking with Safari if you're not happy with Brave. It keeps you in the Apple ecosystem and the security it affords.

 

[oldschool]

I see the browser having good potential if DDG fixes it up with useful tools/settings and extensions without any unwanted bloat. That would be the only way I might be interested in using it. I realize it is a Beta but still for now I say DDG browser needs a lot more work.

Just tried this browser, screenshots: new tab page, main browser settings.

View attachment 276420View attachment 276421


This browser does use technology: Microsoft Edge WebView2

View attachment 276422

This stripped-down browser is for noobs or airheads. The only marginally significant feature I see is the ability to "Fireproof this site" which BTW offers no explanation as to what it does, something the brainless may need.

Edit: It's one saving grace may be that it's a Windows Store App, so I presume it has appcontainer security.

 

[MuzzMelbourne]

This stripped-down browser is for noobs or airheads.

Geez thanks... I love you too.

 

[oldschool]

Privacy-minded browser DuckDuckGo lands in Windows

Available as a public beta, the new Windows version aims to block hidden trackers, remove recent browsing data, and hide your actual email address.

www.zdnet.com