Create Your Own Private Search Engine

Surfing the internet is fun, but most search engines track your behavior. They log your searches, target you with ads, and sometimes even share your data with governments or other companies. For example, searching for “Adidas football” can lead to ads everywhere online.

Even privacy-focused engines like DuckDuckGo claim to protect your data, but you never truly know what runs on their backend. The best solution? Create your own search engine.

Introducing Searx: Open-Source Privacy Search Engine ​

Searx is a Python2-based open-source search engine that respects privacy. Because it’s open-source, you can inspect the code and know exactly what it does.
You can host Searx on your localhost in Linux distributions like Kali, Ubuntu, Parrot, or any Debian-based system.

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Step-by-Step: Installing Searx on Linux ​

1. Clone the Searx Repository​

Open your terminal and run:
git clone https://github.com/asciimoo/searx

2. Navigate to the Searx Directory​

cd searx

3. Install Dependencies​

./manage.sh update_packages
This installs or updates all required packages. It may take a few minutes depending on your internet speed.

4. Set Your Secret Key​

Edit the settings file:
nano searx/settings.yml
Change the secret_key to something unique like 2gvjyGDH68gtplaHuvrty45. Save and exit (CTRL+X, Y, ENTER).

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Running Your Private Search Engine ​

Start Searx on your localhost:
python3 searx/webapp.py
Open the displayed link in your browser. Your private search engine is ready!

You can now search the internet without compromising your privacy. Results come from popular search engines like Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Yahoo, but your personal data stays secure.

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Customize Your Search Engine ​

Want it to feel like your own? You can customize Searx branding:

1. Go to /home/kali/searx/searx/static/themes/oscar/img/
2. Replace logo_searx_a.png with your own logo (keep the same file name and size).

Your search engine will now have a custom look and feel.

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Enhancing Privacy Even Further ​

Although Searx runs on your localhost, outgoing requests to other search engines reveal your IP address. To fully protect your privacy:

• Use a proxy server for all outgoing requests.
• Or use Tor or a VPN to mask your IP.

This ensures that your search history remains private and untraceable.

Conclusion ​

Creating your own private search engine with Searx is simple, secure, and highly customizable. You control your data, enjoy anonymous browsing, and can even personalize the interface.

Share this tutorial with friends who care about privacy, and check our site regularly for more tips. If you have questions, drop a comment - we always reply!