this post was submitted on 15 Feb 2024

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DuckDuckGo Introduces E2EE Backup and Sync Feature on Browser (restoreprivacy.com)

submitted 9 months ago by Ninjazzon@infosec.pub to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

36 comments fedilink hide all child comments

The project announced today the introduction of a new feature called “Sync & Backup,” which allows users to import bookmarks, passwords, and personal settings from other browsers to DuckDuckGo. Moreover, it enables users to move that data from one device to another or restore it on a new device in case they lose their original device.

DuckDuckGo’s announcement declares that the new feature can do the following:

Privately sync and access the bookmarks and passwords saved in your DuckDuckGo browsers – including any you’ve imported from other browsers – across multiple devices.

Back up passwords, bookmarks, and favorites in case your device is lost or damaged.

Migrate your bookmarks and passwords to a new device.

Sync your Email Protection account between devices.

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[–] bushparty@sh.itjust.works 11 points 9 months ago (5 children)

I had switched to DDG search and, like you, was getting more and more frustrated with their results. I then switched to SwissCows (https://swisscows.com/) and have never considered another search engine since. The results I want are always top 5. Every time. I sopped testing alternatives long ago and am extremely content using SwissCows! I would recommend checking it out!

[–] merde@sh.itjust.works 11 points 9 months ago

Business model

Swisscows is financed by advertising revenues and other services. Because Swisscows does not monitor users and thus does not save or pass on user data either for themselves or for others, Swisscows has developed its own advertising concept. The concept is a software technology called AdAnounce that works similar to Google AdWords technology, with the important exception that user data is not passed on to the advertiser.

In addition to advertising revenues, Swisscows also makes turnover with software projects, technology licensing and plans to provide additional software and hardware services. All these services guarantee privacy.

[–] gapbetweenus@feddit.de 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Will check it out. Would love to use Google search less but nothing really worked for me.

[–] bushparty@sh.itjust.works 6 points 9 months ago

Please do! Again, the results I've gotten (personally) have been far superior to Google or any other reasonable alternative.

[–] Kajika@lemmy.ml 3 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Interesting, it's sad that for me the search is quiet garbage and feed me with result based on my IP/location and I couldn't find a option to change that like DDG does.

[–] bushparty@sh.itjust.works 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Garbage results compared to google results? Lol. You sure you're using SwissCows? Lol. DDG was my default before switching to SwissCows and I find SwissCows much better, personally.

[–] WetBeardHairs@lemmy.ml 1 points 9 months ago

Uhg it drives me nuts when I search for some obscure programming topic and then I get links to local restaurants. That's not what I was searching for!

[–] RmDebArc_5@lemmy.ml 1 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

I tried to use it, but when I searched for stuff like "kdenlive reddit" it blocks the search because it may contain violence and pornography

[–] scytale@lemm.ee -1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

It says they use Bing behind the scenes and deliver search ads from Bing as well.

[–] bushparty@sh.itjust.works 5 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

This is not true. A 2-min look shows they are a Swiss-based, private search engine that does not serve ads (on mobile only apparently) and has its own web index, but also uses Bing’s web index.

Apparently, they do serve adds on desktop but they're based on anonymous search results and I presume having UBlock installed would resolve this.

Medium has a whole write-up here: https://medium.com/secure-words/try-swisscows-privacy-search-for-mobile-what-are-you-waiting-for-e616dd828328

[–] scytale@lemm.ee 3 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

I just got that from the website itself, unless I’m misreading it:

[–] bushparty@sh.itjust.works 4 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

I believe you are correct. However, only on desktop. The Medium article specifically states they do not use ads on mobile so I believe ads are only on desktop. I typically use on mobile and have not seen any ads, nor on my non-mobile Firefox config when using SwissCows. Again, the ads are based on anonymous search results and in terms of relevant search results, at least in my testing, SwissCows far surpassed competitors.

[–] merde@sh.itjust.works 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

are you working for swisscows?

[–] bushparty@sh.itjust.works 1 points 9 months ago

lol. Nope, it was just the best search alternative to Google and DDG that I found worked for me. Thought I’d throw in my 2 cents. Isn’t that the point of this place?!