How to use proxy with DuckDuckGo? 2025 guide

DuckDuckGo is great for private search. No tracking, no creepy ads, no saved history. But here’s the thing—it only hides your activity from the search engine.

If you want to hide your IP, avoid geo-restrictions, or run scraping scripts without getting blocked, you’ll need more than just DuckDuckGo. You’ll need a proxy.

This quick guide breaks down why proxies matter—even on a “private” search engine—and how to set them up step by step.

Why use a proxy with DuckDuckGo?

DuckDuckGo does a decent job of keeping your searches private. But if you’re after real anonymity—or doing anything beyond casual browsing—you’ll need a proxy.

Here’s why:

Your IP still leaks
DuckDuckGo doesn’t log your searches, but websites you visit still see your real IP. So does your ISP. A proxy fixes that by masking your real location.
Bypass geo-blocks
Want results from other countries? Or access content blocked in your region? Proxies let you search from anywhere—US, EU, Asia—you name it.
Essential for scraping
Collecting data from DuckDuckGo? Without proxies, you’ll get rate-limited or blocked fast. With rotating IPs, you can scrape at scale without getting flagged.
Extra security layer
Some proxies offer encryption or filter malicious traffic. It’s not bulletproof, but it’s one more shield between you and the open web.

Is DuckDuckGo private?

Short answer: yes, but not fully.

DuckDuckGo doesn’t log your searches or track you like Google does. It blocks third-party trackers and shows non-personalized ads. But here’s the catch: it can’t hide your IP address, device info, or browser fingerprint from the websites you visit.

In other words, DuckDuckGo protects you from the search engine, but not from the rest of the internet.

If you’re scraping DuckDuckGo, doing competitor research, or just don’t want your activity tied to your real identity, you’ll still need:

A reliable proxy
A good anti-detect setup (if you use browsers or bots)
And basic opsec (not logging in to personal accounts from the same setup)

Verdict: DuckDuckGo is better than Google for privacy, but not a full shield. If you’re serious about anonymity or automation, you’ll need extra tools.

How to set up a proxy for DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo runs in your browser—so setting up a proxy is all about configuring your browser or operating system. Once it’s on, all traffic (including DuckDuckGo) will route through your proxy IP.

Here’s a general setup guide:

1. Get your proxy details

You’ll need the proxy server’s IP address and port number. If you’re using a paid service like NodeMaven, you’ll find these details in your account dashboard. You might also need a username and password.

2. Configure System-Wide Proxy Settings (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Setting a system-wide proxy routes all internet traffic from your device through a specified proxy server. This is useful if you’re running tools that don’t have built-in proxy support.

Windows

Open Proxy Settings

Go to Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.

Enable Manual Proxy

Scroll down to Manual proxy setup and toggle “Use a proxy server” to ON.

Enter Proxy Details

Fill in the IP address and port number of your proxy.

Save and Exit

Click Save. The proxy will now apply to most Windows applications.

macOS

Open Network Preferences

Go to System Settings > Network (or System Preferences on older versions).

Choose Your Network

Select your active connection (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and click Details or Advanced.

Go to Proxies Tab

Navigate to the Proxies tab.

Select Proxy Type

Check the relevant proxy protocol (e.g., SOCKS Proxy, HTTP, or HTTPS).

Enter Proxy Info

Input the proxy server address and port. If authentication is required, enter your username and password.

Apply Changes

Click OK and then Apply to activate the proxy system-wide.

Linux (Ubuntu / Debian-based)

GUI (Ubuntu)

Open Settings

Go to Settings > Network > Network Proxy.

Select Manual

Choose Manual proxy configuration.

Enter Proxy Info

Fill in HTTP, HTTPS, FTP proxy addresses and ports. You can also set a Socks Host if needed.

Apply

Click Apply system wide if available, or restart the session.

⚠️ Notes for Other Devices:

Android: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi > [Your Network] > Proxy, then choose Manual and enter the proxy IP and port.
iOS: Open Settings > Wi-Fi > [Your Network] > Configure Proxy > Manual, then input the proxy server details.
Chrome OS: Use Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Proxy.

3. Use a browser extension

Browser extensions offer flexibility, letting you quickly enable or disable the proxy, or even use different proxies for different sites.

Find an Extension: Search your browser’s extension store (e.g., Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons) for a reliable proxy management extension.
Install and Configure: Install the extension and add your proxy server details (IP, port, username, password).
Activate Proxy: Once set up, you can usually activate the proxy with a single click from your browser toolbar.

4. Check your proxy connection

After setup, confirm the proxy is working. Search “What is my IP address?” on DuckDuckGo. If the displayed IP is different from your actual IP and matches your proxy’s, your connection is routed correctly.

Best Choice for DuckDuckGo Proxies

NodeMaven is built for clean, captcha-free access to DuckDuckGo—fast, reliable, and made for scale.

Key Features:

Clean residential & datacenter IPs – no bans, no blocks
Fast, low-latency connections – ideal for scraping & automation
Geo-targeting – get results from any location
Rotating & sticky sessions – full control for any workflow
Easy integration – works with scripts, bots, and tools out of the box