The Lifeboat News

The Lifeboat News
[ The Lifeboat News ]

O/T: DuckDuckGo browser allows Microsoft trackers due to search agreement

Posted by Tomski <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=TomskiD' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2022, 3:07 pm

I finally discovered why I keep getting Microshaft Edge interference:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/duckduckgo-browser-allows-microsoft-trackers-due-to-search-agreement/

Re: O/T: DuckDuckGo browser allows Microsoft trackers due to search agreement

Posted by Keith-264 <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=Keith-264' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2022, 5:57 pm, in reply to "O/T: DuckDuckGo browser allows Microsoft trackers due to search agreement"

The ####ing ####ers.

Clio the cat, ? July 1997 - 1 May 2016
Kira the cat, ? ? 2010 - 3 August 2018
Jasper the Ruffian cat ? ? ? - 4 November 2021

Are you using the DDG browser and not just the search engine?

Posted by sashimi <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=sashimi' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2022, 8:30 pm, in reply to "O/T: DuckDuckGo browser allows Microsoft trackers due to search agreement"

According to the article, the issue is only with their browser.

How would I know? nm

Posted by Tomski <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=TomskiD' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2022, 8:47 pm, in reply to "Are you using the DDG browser and not just the search engine?"

Browser Menu bar > Help > About. If it's Firefox/Opera/Safari etc..., then it's not DDG browser (nm)

Posted by sashimi <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=sashimi' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2022, 9:11 pm, in reply to "How would I know? nm"

It tells me it's Google Chrome. However, when I open Google Chrome it is in fact DDG

Posted by Tomski <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=TomskiD' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2022, 9:32 pm, in reply to "Browser Menu bar > Help > About. If it's Firefox/Opera/Safari etc..., then it's not DDG browser (nm)"

So, what gives?

Re: It tells me it's Google Chrome. However, when I open Google Chrome it is in fact DDG

Posted by Raskolnikov <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=Raskolnikov' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2022, 9:46 pm, in reply to "It tells me it's Google Chrome. However, when I open Google Chrome it is in fact DDG"

Sounds like your browser is Chrome and your home page/default search engine is DDG.

...no amount of cajolery, and no attempts at ethical or social seduction, can eradicate from my heart a deep burning hatred for the Tory Party...So far as I am concerned they are lower than vermin.

Thanks. Out of curiosity, why is it that when I click some external links, I get the Edge?

Posted by Tomski <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=TomskiD' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2022, 10:04 pm, in reply to "Re: It tells me it's Google Chrome. However, when I open Google Chrome it is in fact DDG"

It's only happened for the last 2 odd months and after I installed Opera and uninstalled it since it had useless VPN.

What do you mean by an "external link"? From where, the webpage you're using Chrome to view? (nm)

Posted by sashimi <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=sashimi' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2022, 10:44 pm, in reply to "Thanks. Out of curiosity, why is it that when I click some external links, I get the Edge?"

If from within your email or other programs, your OS or similar programs may be associating webpages

Posted by sashimi <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=sashimi' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2022, 10:52 pm, in reply to "What do you mean by an "external link"? From where, the webpage you're using Chrome to view? (nm)"

with the application Edge.

From a Word document for example, which in the past used to open in Chrome/DDG nm

Posted by Tomski <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=TomskiD' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2022, 11:55 pm, in reply to "If from within your email or other programs, your OS or similar programs may be associating webpages"

Sounds like it's your OS to blame. It's set the default application to open webpages as Edge

Posted by sashimi <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=sashimi' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 28, 2022, 1:07 am, in reply to "From a Word document for example, which in the past used to open in Chrome/DDG nm"

Do a search for your particular version of Windows and changing default applications.

https://www.howtogeek.com/746203/how-to-set-your-default-apps-on-windows-11/

Disclaimer: I'm not conversant with later versions of Windows as I only have a single case use for that OS, with absolutely no network access.

Here is the thing ..

Posted by Tomski <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=TomskiD' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 28, 2022, 11:44 am, in reply to "Sounds like it's your OS to blame. It's set the default application to open webpages as Edge"

When I open my browser (I have it set on incognito - don't ask) it tells me that Google is not my default browser. I normally click on it to set it to default. I click/open the new window and I get DDG. The Edge problem remains as is, when opening external links.

I tried using your link and it doesn't work for me. Just sends me down a rabbit hole (I am Windows 10, but reckon it's the same thing).

Should I upgrade to Windows 11 (not sure if my laptop is too old : /), although I hate Microshaft? (one reason, apart from habit, is that I use it in my work environment etc. etc. when I can get a job on rare occasions).

Try this for Win 10:

Posted by sashimi <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=sashimi' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 28, 2022, 12:42 pm, in reply to "Here is the thing .."

https://www.howtogeek.com/223144/how-to-set-your-default-apps-in-windows-10/

As for upgrading Windows, I can't comment as I don't know what benefits there might be (given MS' track record on bloat, privacy and security) nor do I much care as my use of that OS is limited and on a standalone machine without connectivity.

Ta ..

Posted by Tomski <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=TomskiD' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 28, 2022, 12:53 pm, in reply to "Try this for Win 10:"

I think I tried how to geek W10 in the past, and from memory, the results were similar. I absolutely agree with you about microshaft's bloatware - it gets crappier with every edition since WXR - hence my reluctance. I never liked Windows ... gimme back my first Apple and Amiga : ).

Try Edge Deflector:

Posted by sashimi <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=sashimi' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 28, 2022, 1:33 pm, in reply to "Ta .."

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/edgedeflector-for-windows-10

Re: Try Edge Deflector: ... Now you are talking!

Posted by Tomski <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=TomskiD' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 28, 2022, 2:42 pm, in reply to "Try Edge Deflector:"

Cross fingers ... I'll give it a whirl. If it works, kudos will be in the post

« Back to index

[ The Lifeboat News ]