Is Bing Safe?

If you use or plan to use Bing, you need to know: Is Bing safe? 

Below, we explain whether Bing is: 

• Safe to use. 
• Good for privacy. 

We also look at some steps you can take to improve both your safety and privacy when using this search engine. 

What Is Bing?

Bing is a search engine developed and operated by Microsoft. 

It lets users search for a wide variety of information on the internet, including web pages, images, videos, news, and maps. 

Bing was launched in 2009 as a successor to its earlier search engines, MSN Search, Windows Live Search, and Live Search. It is the default search engine for Microsoft Edge, the web browser that comes with Windows operating systems. Additionally, Bing powers search functionality in Yahoo! and AOL search. 

It integrates with other Microsoft services, such as Cortana, the digital assistant, and Microsoft Office, offering a seamless experience for users embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Bing is also the service powering ChatGPT’s web browsing capabilities.  

Is Bing Safe?

Yes, Bing is generally considered safe to use as a search engine. 

Microsoft, the company behind Bing, takes several measures to ensure the security of its users, including implementing HTTPS and end-to-end encryption. 

It also uses a dedicated API within browsers that operates using secure encryption protocols.

To protect users from malware and phishing attacks, Bing automatically flags suspicious websites and provides warnings before users visit them. 

Bing has a SafeSearch feature that filters out explicit or inappropriate content from search results. 

This can be particularly useful for parents who want to ensure their children are not exposed to harmful material while browsing the internet. SafeSearch settings can be adjusted to different levels, from strict to moderate, depending on the user’s needs.

While Bing itself is not associated with data breaches, multiple data breaches from associated Microsoft servers have exposed Bing data, including search results and employee data. 

The security company UpGuard gives Bing a score of 735 out of 950. The company notes that secure cookies aren’t used, no valid Content Security Policy is implemented, HttpOnly cookies aren’t used, and there are vulnerabilities to clickjacking and MIME confusion attacks.

Is Bing Private?

Depends on your definition of “private,” but generally speaking, it is not private.  

Like most search engines, Bing collects data to improve search results and personalize the user experience. This includes search history, location data, and other information that helps refine search outcomes. 

Microsoft provides users with tools to manage how their data is collected and used, such as viewing and deleting search history, adjusting privacy settings, and opting out of personalized ads.

In 2022, France’s data privacy watchdog fined Microsoft $63 million for Bing cookie violations. In 2023, Microsoft made news after its Bing AI chatbot threatened to expose a user’s personal information. 

Bing’s privacy policy is the same as Microsoft’s overall policy. It is fairly detailed and explains how data is collected, stored, and used. 

Terms of Service; Didn’t Read (ToS;DR), a project that rates internet services’ terms of service and privacy policies, gives Microsoft Services a Grade E.

Among the potential concerns flagged by ToS;DR are the following:

• The service can delete specific content without notice.
• It may collect, use, and share location data.
• Third-party cookies are used for advertising.
• Many different types of data are collected.
• The service can delete your account without notice or reason.

On the plus side, ToS;DR says that you can request access to and deletion of personal data and opt out of targeted advertising. 

The Common Sense Privacy Program, which evaluates internet services’ privacy policies, gives Bing a rating of 75% out of 100%. This is a “Warning,” meaning Bing “Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.”

The program highlighted issues such as sharing personal information for third-party marketing and creating and using data profiles for personalized advertisements. On a positive note, it says that personal information is not sold or rented to third parties. 

How to Improve Your Safety and Privacy On Bing

Follow the steps below for a more private and secure experience while using Bing. 

• Manage search history. To clear your search history, go to the Bing settings or your Microsoft account’s privacy dashboard. You can also turn off search history tracking to prevent Bing from storing your search queries.
• Turn off personalized ads. Visit the Microsoft privacy dashboard and turn off personalized ads to stop Bing from using your search data for targeted advertising.
• Enable “Do Not Track.” Activate the “Do Not Track” feature in your browser settings to request that websites, including Bing, do not track your online activities.
• Set SafeSearch to “Strict.” Adjust the SafeSearch settings in Bing to “Strict” to filter out explicit content and reduce the likelihood of encountering potentially harmful sites.
• Use a privacy-focused browser. Search on Bing using a privacy-focused browser for enhanced privacy protection.
• Limit permissions on your Microsoft account. Review and adjust the permissions granted to Bing and other Microsoft services to reduce data sharing.
• Regularly clear cookies and cache. Frequently delete cookies and cache from your browser to minimize tracking by Bing and other websites.
• Avoid logging into Bing. Search on Bing without signing in to your Microsoft account to prevent personalized data collection.