DuckDuckGo’s browser now protects you from fake crypto exchanges and scareware

DuckDuckGo, the privacy-focused web browser and search engine, has expanded the scope of its Scam Blocker tool. In addition to being able to protect you from standard phishing and malware attempts, Scam Blocker now also covers fake e-commerce storefronts, survey sites and cyptocurrency exchanges, as well as “scareware” pages falsely claiming that your device is infected and want you to click a button or a link to clean it.

If the tool determines that you’ve clicked on a link leading to one of those websites, it blocks the page from loading altogether. Instead, it shows you a warning message telling you that the website may be a security risk and that it has been flagged for “trying to manipulate people into transferring money, buying counterfeit goods, or installing malware.” The warning also lets you safely navigate away from the scam website without loading it.

DuckDuckGo built Scam Blocker itself, and it doesn’t rely on any Google technology like other browsers do. The company said it means it doesn’t send data to any third parties and it doesn’t track your activities. It constantly refreshes its list of malicious URLs from independent internet services provider Netcraft and passes the updates to its browser every 20 minutes. That list of dangerous sites lives locally on your device, and the tool checks URLs you’re visiting against it to determine whether to show you a warning message.

Scam Blocker is completely free on desktop and the web, and it’s switched on by default. If you’re paying for DuckDuckGo’s $10-a-month Privacy Pro subscription service, Scam Blocker will even protect you while using other browsers.