DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials

Simple and seamless privacy protection for your browser.

DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials - Protect Your Privacy

"DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials" is a powerful Chrome extension designed to enhance your online privacy. It automatically sets DuckDuckGo as your default search engine, blocks third-party trackers and cookies, and enforces HTTPS connections to keep your browsing history and personal information secure. With features like email protection and fingerprinting escape, it empowers users to take control of their data without compromising on a seamless browsing experience. Join millions in prioritizing privacy.

Download

Extension stats

By: https://duckduckgo.com

Users: 4,000,000+

Rating: 4.25

(2,070)

Version: 2025.2.20 (Last updated: 2025-02-24)

Creation date: 2020-05-28

Permissions:

activeTab
alarms
contextMenus
declarativeNetRequest
declarativeNetRequestFeedback
scripting
storage
tabs
webRequest
webNavigation

Host permissions:

*://*/*

Size: 5.41M

Email: of*****@duckduckgo.com

URLs: Website ,Privacy policy

Full description: See detailed description

Ranking

# 110 ▲ 26

Other rankings

#4 in Privacy & Security

#4 in chrome keyword 11 ▲ 2

#9 in block explorer keyword 7 ▲ 2

#9 in privacy keyword 75 ▼ 2

#12 in data privacy keyword 75 ▼ 1

Upgrade to see more rankings

Other platforms

Not available on Android

DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials (v2025.2.20)

1,407,953+ 4.35

(2,264)

DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials (v2025.2.20)

1,367,195+ 4.40

(196)

User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.

Pros

Great privacy features
Blocks most tracking
Easy installation
Works well for basic browsing needs

Cons

Overrides default search engine settings
Limited customization options
Replaces home/startup page without permission
Increases unwanted advertisements
Issues with generating private email addresses

Most mentioned

Inability to set preferred search engine
Extension takes over new tab and home page
Problems with customization of options
Issues related to ads in search results
Difficulties in using Google services with the extension enabled

User reviews

hello help me fix error in console Denying load of chrome-extension://bkdgflcldnnnapblkhphbgpggdiikppg/public/font/ProximaNova-Reg-webfont.woff2. Resources must be listed in the web_accessible_resources manifest key in order to be loaded by pages outside the extension.?

Karan Sahani, 2025-03-01

Latest update disables possibility to choose search provider when performing search. Why? I love DuckDuckGo search, but - let's be honest! - Google and Yandex are still better. Rather than make own search better - let's block the user for alternatives. Bad policy!

Jack Gray (Fixxxer), 2025-02-23

It seems to override the search engine settings no matter what I do. Sometimes I want to switch to another default search engine without disabling the extension (because I use the email feature). Otherwise, great.

Kristina I., 2025-02-21

View all user reviews

Extension safety

Risk impact

DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials requires some sensitive permissions that could impact your browser and data security. Exercise caution before installing.

Risk impact analysis details

Critical Grants access to browser tabs, which can be used to track user browsing habits and history, presenting a privacy concern.
Critical ****** ****** ** *** ********* ****** * *********** ******** **** ** ** *** ******* *** ****** **** **** *** ******* *****
High ****** ********* ** * ****** ******** ******** ********** * ******* ******* *****
High *** ****** ****** ********** ***** ***** ******** ******** ** ********* ****** ****** ******** *****
High ******* ******* **** *** ****** ***** *** ***** ** ******* **** ********* ********* ** * *********** *****
Low ****** ***** ** ******* ****** ********** **** ** ** ******** ******* ** **** ***** *************
Low ******* ****** ** *** ********* ********

Risk likelihood

We don't have sufficient data to confidently determine the risk likelihood of DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials. Use it at your own risk.

Risk likelihood analysis details

High This extension was recently updated in the past month. New updates may not be stable or safe.
Low **** ********* *** ***** **** **** * ****** **** ***** ********** *** **** ****** ** ** ****** *** *****
Low **** ********* *** **** **** ****** ******* ********** **** ****** ** ** ****** *** *****
Good **** ********* ** * ******** ********* ** ****** *** *****
Good **** ********* *** **** **** *******