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The DuckDuckGo web browser has expanded its built-in Scam Blocker tool to protect against a broader range of online scams, including fake e-commerce, cryptocurrency exchanges, and "scareware" sites.<br/>
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DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused web browser and search engine that doesn't track users' searchers or browsing history.<br/>
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The browser, which became available as a public beta for <a href="https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/duckduckgo-for-mac-enters-public-beta-now-available-to-everyone/" target="_blank">macOS</a> and <a href="https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/duckduckgo-browser-for-windows-available-for-everyone-as-public-beta/" target="_blank">Windows </a>in October 2022 and June 2023, respectively, blocks all trackers by default, does not engage in personalized search profiling, and offers powerful anonymity tools.<br/>
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Scam Blocker has been a component of the browser's privacy toolkit since its launch in 2018, protecting users attempting to visit known malware distribution and phishing URLs.<br/>
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As part of the <a href="https://spreadprivacy.com/p/b00d6763-b789-4e21-a0d6-fb35eed7acaf/" target="_blank">latest update</a>, in addition to blocking phishing sites and malware, Scam Blocker now also detect and block the following:<ul><li>Fake e-commerce stores</li>
</ul><ul><li><a href="https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/cryptocurrency/us-seized-82-million-in-crypto-linked-to-romance-baiting-scams/" target="_blank">Scam investment</a> and crypto trading sites</li>
</ul><ul><li>Survey scams with false cash rewards</li>
</ul><ul><li>Scareware (fake virus alerts prompting <a href="https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ftc-will-send-255-million-to-victims-of-tech-support-scams/" target="_blank">bogus tech support</a>)</li>
</ul><ul><li><a href="https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/microsoft-says-malvertising-campaign-impacted-1-million-pcs/" target="_blank">Malvertising </a>(malicious tracker-powered ads)</li>
</ul>When the user attempts to load a webpage, the tool scans the URLs locally against a continually updated (every 20 minutes) threat list supplied by cybersecurity firm Netcraft.<br/>
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Rare or unknown threats are checked against DuckDuckGo servers using an <a href="https://duckduckgo.com/duckduckgo-help-pages/threat-protection/scam-blocker#:~:text=How%20does%20Scam%20Blocker%20work %20anonymously%20in%20DuckDuckGo%20browsers%3F" target="_blank">anonymous cryptographic process,</a> ensuring that this process doesn't compromise user privacy.<br/>
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When a scam site is detected, users are served a prominent warning message giving them the option to leave or ignore it and proceed to the risky site.<br/>
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<img alt="" border="0" class="bbCodeImage" src="https://www.bleepstatic.com/images/news/u/1220909/2025/June/warning(1).jpg"/><br/>
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DuckDuckGo's Scam Blocker warning on the desktop (left) and on mobile (right)

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</div>DuckDuckGo notes that, unlike Chrome, Safari, or Firefox, which rely on Google Safe Browsing and hence share data with Google, Scam Blocker offers privacy-first protection with no external data sharing.<br/>
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Scam Blocker is activated in the browser by default and requires no account to work effectively.<br/>
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Privacy Pro subscribers get a significant perk, as Scam Blocker will work across any internet apps on their devices when the <a href="https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/duckduckgo-launches-a-premium-privacy-pro-vpn-service/" target="_blank">DuckDuckGo VPN</a> is active, covering other browsers as well.<br/>
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<a href="https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/duckduckgo-beefs-up-scam-defense-to-block-fake-stores-crypto-sites/" target="_blank">@ BleepingComputer </a>
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