Main Differences Between DuckDuckGo and a VPN
Again, the DuckDuckGo search engine is not a VPN. With a VPN, your entire device is protected, while the search engine does a fraction of this.
Here are some ways in which the search engine (DuckDuckGo) protects you:
Encrypts your Search Data: If there are encrypted websites available, DuckDuckGo will direct you to these secure sites to help keep your personal info safe.
No trackers: The search engine blocks ads and third-party tracking so you won’t have to worry about being bombarded by pop-ups.
No Logging your Info: The search engine will not store your search history or information, so no one will be able to access your previous searches from the DuckDuckGo servers.
If you are really worried about securing your personal information online, you can opt to use DuckDuckGo along with a secure VPN, like ExpressVPN, which will make it even more likely that no threats will slip through the cracks.
A VPN, for instance, has some trouble blocking trackers/cookies at times, but DuckDuckGo does not have trouble with this. A VPN with DuckDuckGo will also ensure that your entire device is protected, which DuckDuckGo will not do on its own.