Domain Due Diligence
Report for Duckdns.org
Why we think so
DuckDNS.org is a legitimate, free dynamic DNS service established in 2013 and operated via the gandi.net registrar. It ranks around #8,578 globally with about 4.4 million monthly visits, mostly from the U.S. The platform uses popular technologies like nginx and Apache servers, HTML5 standards, and Google APIs. DuckDNS offers free subdomains mainly for personal and home lab use, but it relies on minimal DNS features and script-based updates rather than a traditional user dashboard. While this service itself is not fraudulent, many DuckDNS subdomains are frequently exploited by scammers and phishers, triggering warnings or blocks from security tools and browsers. Users commonly report the platform as stable and reliable for personal use but note the often technical setup and limited features. For sensitive or business applications, experts advise caution due to the potential for abuse and reputation issues.
Risk Insights
Legitimate Service with Abuse Issues
Security Concerns Impact Trust
Contradictory Signals
The service is not fraudulent itself but suffers from the free-subdomain abuse problem.
Signal A: DuckDNS is a stable, legitimate DNS provider with long domain history.
Signal B: Its subdomains are frequently abused for phishing, leading to security warnings and blocks.
Category Scores
Red Flags & Warnings
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DuckDNS subdomains are frequently used by scammers and phishers, leading to security warnings and blocks on many browsers and security tools.
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Many users and ISPs report blocking or flagging of DuckDNS domains due to abuse reports and blacklist listings of subdomains.
🔎 Detailed Checks & Analysis
Domain legitimacy and registration
Domain legitimacy and registration
"Consistent WHOIS data with long domain age and stable DNS servers support legitimacy."
Reason: DuckDNS.org is a well-established domain since 2013 with a reputable registrar (Gandi SAS).
Traffic and usage patterns
Traffic and usage patterns
"Traffic is predominantly from the US and related to technology categories, matching expected use for DuckDNS."
Reason: Stable monthly visits (~4.4 million) with mostly direct and search traffic indicate legitimate usage.
Security and blacklist status
Security and blacklist status
"No listing of the main domain on Google Safe Browsing blacklist, but subdomains suffer from reputation issues."
Reason: Multiple subdomains of duckdns.org are associated with phishing and flagged by security vendors and browsers.
Business validity and trust signals
Business validity and trust signals
"While feature limited, it is used widely with positive user reports for personal and home lab setups."
Reason: DuckDNS operates a free DNS service relying on scripting, with limited features but steady technical foundation.
Legal or trademark issues
Legal or trademark issues
"Reported ISP blocks and abuse complaints do not equate to legal actions."
Reason: No known lawsuits or trademark disputes against DuckDNS.org were found.
Contact and owner information
Contact and owner information
"Multiple social media links including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn exist for DuckDNS."
Reason: A variety of contact emails and phone numbers are publicly listed on DuckDNS subdomains, supporting transparency.
Your Next Steps
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1If using DuckDNS for personal or home lab purposes, ensure HTTPS, strong authentication, and regular software updates.
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2Avoid using DuckDNS subdomains for sensitive or business-related services due to reputation and security risks.
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3Treat any unknown DuckDNS subdomain URLs as untrusted by default unless you control or have verified them.
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4Scan suspicious DuckDNS URLs with security tools before inputting credentials or data.
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5Report phishing or abuse incidents involving DuckDNS subdomains to DuckDNS via their official contact emails.
Evidence & Citations
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DuckDNS Abuse and Scam Reports Analysis
Malwarebytes flags DuckDNS subdomains for phishing and documents abuses.
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DuckDNS Reviews and Usage Discussions
User community feedback on DuckDNS usage and cautions.
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SimilarTech Analysis of DuckDNS.org
Website traffic and technical stack details.
🕵🏻 Keep investigating
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