[techtalk] INTERNET - DuckDuckGo, the Browser for Privacy

Tue Apr 28 14:55:18 PDT 2026

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Webinars for You

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June 10: [EXCEL] Power BI Demystified: Do You Really Need It?. Why Attend? You want to know if this advanced Excel tool is for you.

June 24: [MEDIA] Add Audio & Video to Presentations Like a Pro. Why Attend? You want to add media (sound and moving images) to presentations.

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INTERNET - DuckDuckGo, the Browser for Privacy

Intermediate

[Illustration of a laptop displaying a shield with a keyhole, a password field, and two pop-up windows with check marks, representing cybersecurity and data protection.]

Do you ever feel like the web knows too much about you?

You search online for something and then ads follow you for days. Websites ask to track you with cookies. It can feel like the internet is watching you.

There is a browser that focuses on your privacy. DuckDuckGo helps you browse the internet with less tracking of personal information and more control.

[DuckDuckGo logo featuring a cartoon duck with a green bow tie inside an orange circle, above the text "DuckDuckGo" in gray letters.]
What is the DuckDuckGo Browser?

DuckDuckGo is a full web browser used to visit websites and search the internet. It works much like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. But privacy tools are built-in from the start. It's a free app you can download to your computer or mobile device. Visit duckduckgo.com to download it.

How does DuckDuckGo Protect Your Privacy?

You probably already have a browser you use to access the internet. Everyone has their favorite. Many companies behind those browsers make money through ads and collecting information about you.

Social media sites, shopping websites, and search engines use special programming called algorithms. They sort through huge amounts of content in seconds and decide what they show you online. Algorithms look at your past searches, clicks, views, and likes.

Then they try to guess what you may want to see next.

That is why your Facebook feed or search results may look different from someone else’s. The algorithm changes what you see based on past activity.

DuckDuckGo is different. They don’t feed the algorithm. The free version of the browser:

·    Blocks trackers
·    Searches without collecting your information
·    Reduces some cookie pop-ups
·    Hides your real email address
·    Can quickly clear browser data with a click

There are even more protection features if you subscribe to DuckDuckGo.

[A DuckDuckGo browser privacy tool showing protections are on for app.constantcontact.com, blocking trackers from Cloudflare, New Relic, Optimizely, Google, and one more. Connection is encrypted; some requests are blocked.]
DuckDuckGo Browser Extension

Maybe you like your current browser and do not want to switch. But you still want more privacy tools. The DuckDuckGo browser extension can help. A browser extension is a small add-on you install in your web browser to add new features or change how websites work.

The extension is called DuckDuckGo Search & Tracker Prevention. It can block trackers. The extension can also change settings that protect your privacy and help with a private search. This is a great way to try DuckDuckGo without switching to a new browser.

To get the desktop browser extension, in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox, open your settings. Look for Extensions. This can also be seen on the menu bar as a puzzle piece.

CAUTION: No privacy tool makes you invisible online. They help reduce tracking, but they can’t erase everything you do online. So, always be careful with any information you share on the internet.

[Circle with the number three inside.]
Actually, DuckDuckGo Has Three (3) Ways To Be Used

#1. WEBSITE/SEARCH ENGINE. Going to duckduckgo.com, you can search the web privately. It doesn’t track your searches. And it doesn’t build a personal profile about you.

What it does NOT do is protect you once you leave the search results.

Think of the DuckDuckGo website as private searching only.

#2. EXTENSION. This is an app you can use with Chrome or Edge. This blocks hidden trackers on websites. It forces encrypted (HTTPS) connections when possible. It shows a "privacy grade" for each site. However, using these browsers means that some of your data will still be collected.

Think of the DuckDuckGo extension as a privacy shield added onto your current browser.

#3. BROWSER. This is a full browser (like Chrome or Edge)… but built for privacy from the ground up. It includes everything the extension does. It blocks trackers by default. It avoids many of the data-collection practices of big browsers.

With this browser, you have more control over privacy (it's not dependent on Chrome/Edge). It's a cleaner, simpler interface. There are fewer background data leaks.

Think of this version as a private browser built from scratch.

[Duck.ai logo. Shows a white cartoon duck with a yellow beak, blue eyes, and a green bow tie inside an orange circle, with a white sparkle symbol in the top right corner.]
Does DuckDuckGo Use Artificial Intelligence?

DuckDuckGo offers an optional AI tool called Duck.ai. It is a free chat tool built with privacy in mind. It is available in their website and browser (not the extension).

Duck.ai is different because it gives you access to multiple AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and others.

DuckDuckGo didn’t create their own AI tool. Duck.ai works like a gateway to different AI tools where personal details, like IP addresses, are removed first. Then your question is sent to the AI tool to create an answer, and your chats are not used for training.

Because Duck.ai is focused on privacy, it doesn’t learn your preferences over time. That means it cannot suggest things based on your past activity or learn your style. You don’t sign in to use it and your chats are not tied to an account.

Some people enjoy AI assistance in searching. Others would rather not see AI tools at all.

Good news! You can turn Duck.ai off in search!

Disabling AI in DuckDuckGo Search

You can turn off AI tools on DuckDuckGo.com in any browser.

Here’s how:

1. From the homepage, click on Customize in the bottom right.
2. Choose Search Only.
3. Close the box.

[Search settings menu showing options for appearance (theme, URL placement, site names, site icons, font size, and compact results) and general settings (language, infinite scroll, links). "AI Features" is circled in red.]

Even if you don’t turn Duck.ai off before searching, your results will not automatically include an answer from AI. You can also change your Search Settings after you’ve started your search.

Here’s how:

1. Click the gear icon under the search bar at the top of the page.
2. Under General, select Manage next to AI Features.
3. On the new page, you can turn off Duck.ai and other AI features.

Disabling AI in DuckDuckGo Browser

The DuckDuckGo browser gives you more privacy controls, especially for AI. You can choose which AI tools to use in the Settings.

Here’s how:

1. Click the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner to open the settings.
2. Scroll down the menu on the left and click AI Features.
3. Turn off the AI features you don’t want by unchecking boxes. Or turn them all off by clicking Disable Duck.ai.

[A settings menu showing Duck.ai features. Options include disabling Duck.ai and enabling shortcuts like New Tab Page search, address bar integration, sidebar button, and automatic sidebar display. "Disable Duck.ai" is circled in red.]

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(Watch the Recording on May 7th)

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Communications: Email

Make it easy to reply

Have you ever sent an email ... and then waited and waited for the reply? Of course, you have!

One of the reasons this happens is that we make the recipient think too much.

Yes, we want answers to be considered and true. But if you end your email with an open-ended request like “Let me know what you think” it creates hesitation. The brain pauses … delays … moves on.

So the trick is to provide an easy way to respond. Make it simple for them.

Try ending your emails with structured options. For instance:

“Your preference:

A) Begin the program this week

B) Hold until next month”

This summarizes the decision to be made and increases action.

Even your subject line can help move things forward. An example:

“Fast decision needed … A or B”

When you make thinking easier … you make responding faster.

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Cheers,
Darci Hanning, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Public Library Consultant / CE Coordinator
Continuing Education Resources: https://slo.oregon.gov/conted/
State Library of Oregon | Library Support and Development Services
971-375-3491 | darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov> | www.oregon.gov/library<http://www.oregon.gov/library>

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