DuckDuckGo Browser Blocks Dangerous Crypto Scams and Device ‘Infection’ Traps

DuckDuckGo just dropped a new feature that blocks crypto scams. The privacy-focused browser now comes with Scam Blocker, a tool that detects and blocks fake crypto sites, fraudulent stores, and those annoying scareware pop-ups that claim your device is infected.

The feature tackles the usual suspects: scam investment platforms promising ridiculous returns, fake cryptocurrency exchanges that vanish with your money, and phishing sites pretending to be legitimate crypto services. It also blocks those sketchy surveys offering crypto rewards in exchange for your mother’s maiden name and social security number. Nice try, scammers.

Here’s how it works. DuckDuckGo partnered with Netcraft, a cybersecurity company, to get a regularly updated feed of malicious URLs. The browser combines this external data with its own detection capabilities to spot both established and emerging scam patterns. When you click a suspicious link, the browser stops the page from loading and shows a warning instead. The system refreshes its list of dangerous sites every 20 minutes to catch the latest threats. Simple.

DuckDuckGo taps Netcraft’s threat feed to block scams before they load, no setup needed.

The timing couldn’t be better. Financial fraud hit $12.5 billion in 2024, up 25% from the previous year. Crypto scams are everywhere, and people keep falling for them. This feature gives users another layer of protection without charging a premium subscription fee. It’s free for all DuckDuckGo browser users on Mac and iOS.

True to DuckDuckGo’s style, Scam Blocker doesn’t collect or store your browsing data. Unlike Safari’s approach with Google’s Safe Browsing Service, DuckDuckGo’s system remains completely anonymized without sharing site data with third parties. It just works quietly in the background, no setup required. You don’t need to sign up for anything extra or jump through hoops to activate it.

But let’s be real. This isn’t a magic shield against all scams. The feature depends on timely threat intelligence updates, and clever scammers are always cooking up new schemes. With AI enhancing hacking capabilities and deepfake technology making scams more convincing, users might still see scam links or pop-ups before the warnings kick in. The browser can only do so much.

Still, it’s a solid addition to DuckDuckGo’s security arsenal. As more browsers build in robust protection features, maybe we’ll see fewer people losing their life savings to fake crypto exchanges. One can hope.