GNU IceCat, a Firefox-based browser from the GNU Project, is designed with privacy in mind, removing tracking and telemetry features. Although it doesn’t have native Tor support, you can increase your search privacy by configuring a Tor-compatible search engine like DuckDuckGo’s .onion site. This guide will show you how to set up a Tor-friendly search engine as your default in GNU IceCat for secure and private searching.
Setting a Tor-compatible search engine as the default in GNU IceCat keeps your search queries within the secure Tor network. Using a search engine like DuckDuckGo’s .onion version helps prevent tracking and enhances privacy, giving you an additional layer of anonymity in a trusted, open-source browser.
To configure a Tor-compatible search engine in GNU IceCat, you’ll need the .onion address of your preferred search engine, such as DuckDuckGo’s .onion site.
Once you’ve configured GNU IceCat to use a Tor-compatible search engine, it’s helpful to test your setup.
Using a Tor-compatible search engine in GNU IceCat improves privacy, but here are some important considerations:
By configuring GNU IceCat with a Tor-compatible search engine, you maximize search privacy, creating a more secure environment for anonymous browsing.
Feeling let down by your browser while using Tor? Check out this alternative—it might exceed your expectations. How to Configure Tor as Your Default Search Engine in Tails OS Browser.