In fact, What is a Double VPN? When and Why Should You Employ It?

A double VPN function consists of a VPN connection routed through two consecutive VPN servers instead of one. It’s also known as “multi-hop.” The function adds an extra layer of encryption to the end-user’s traffic, thus increasing security, secrecy, and anonymity.

In this articleandwe will solution those questions , many as it turns out more. Which aredothe ones that ? Unfortunately, most VPN networks do not support multi-hop connections. Why don’t they?

How to configureVPN a double as it turns out – Quick steps

or is a Multi-hop What Double VPN?

name the As suggests, the feature enables It’s worth noting that users to route their traffic through two VPN servers instead of one. In this way, traffic encryption happens twice (once on each server), thus providing an extra layer of security for your online activities. Indeed, However, one significant difference from the regular connections is that even in the VPNs that help such a option, not every server within the network is suitable, so your choices are limited to those nodes that can be paired together.

It’s worth noting that Multi-hop connections are not the standard industry by any means.Most VPNs do not support it. Interestingly, The reason behind that is that the demand for this option tends to be low because the additionalsomethinglayer of encryption and routing times cost in connection speeds. are other words, its connections as a matter of fact In significantly slower than regular single ones. Also, double VPN connections demand more resources from the provider, which also plays a role.

Double VPNs come at a cost to the network and the consumer; that much is clear. ActuallymultiNevertheless, the , -hop capability is a valuable service for a particular user who must ensure their privacy and security are guaranteedActually, allatcosts.

For illustration, suppose you are a political activist, especially of the dissident kind, working in a repressive country; you could also beona journalist writing sensitive topics that could awaken a giant’s anger, or you are a whistleblower passing as it turns out on sensitive information to third parties. Those three cases are the most obvious scenarios in which double VPNs are critical in keeping a user trusted from enemies potential, but they’re not the only ones.

So, are multi-hop connections an option for you? Answering that as a matter of fact inquiry requires you to know the pros and cons first. Let’s see them.

As you may know, Multi-hop VPN connections: The advantages and disadvantages

Most VPNs offer features that enhance a end-user’s security, such as kill switches, leak protection, andaddedmalware blockers. So, multi hop is not a compulsory feature a network to be a regular (even a premium) VPNforservice.

A good VPN always performs two services welcome you: traffic encryption and IP masking; any additional advantage is for but not vital. In fact, Thus, its connections are more than ever not on any list’s “must-have” provider. , We’ll see why in this section, but let’s begin with the positive sideIndeedof the coin.

Double VPNs: The advantages

Actually, Multi-hop connections enhance security, secrecy, and anonymity. How they achieve that aim is an advantage in themselves.

• Double encryption. Each server in a multi-hop connection encrypts the traffic in full. A single AES-128 encryption stage is impossible to crack with the current technology. Two stages of AES-256 encryption make the traffic utterly impossible to decipher.
• Extra IP.  The server hides your IP address from the world in a single VPN connection and assigns you a new one. This happens twice in a multi hop, so your IP address is twice removed from the world.
• Keeping your ISP in the dark. If your ISP is interested in your online activities (which it shouldn’t be), he won’t be able to know anything about what you’re doing. The internet service provider will know that all your traffic is directed to a single node on the Internet (your VPN server). But it won’t understand what your traffic is about, what sites you are visiting, or anything else.
• Hidden whereabouts. Any mildly competent hacker can figure out your location from your IP address. In a double VPN connection, any third party will think you are at the second server’s location, which is typically very far away.
• Protocol combinations. If double encryption still seems insufficient, you can set up your double connection so that one server uses TCP within the OpenVPN protocol and the other uses UDP.
• Bypass censorship. Even the most liberal countries in the world impose some restrictions on their domestic internet access, not to mention China, North Korea, or other jurisdictions where the lack of online freedom is notorious and world-famous. Single VPN connections allow you to circumvent those restrictions. It ensures that it can’t be traced back to you.

The disadvantages of Double VPNs

Double VPNs are an extreme security measure. As such, they’rebenot meant to the default mode of any visitor. Also, the decision-makers in the world consider more than ever thatVPNsingle VPN connections are good enough for any task in terms of security. That’s why so many industry players do not offer it –and have no intention to modify their minds.

It’s worth noting that Furthermore, they are versatile enough to serve activities such as torrenting or unblocking streaming websites. Thus, in their minds, a multi hop is utility, an enhancement of a overkill that perfectly meets its purpose.

While we also consider those multi-hop connections are for paranoids for thethatmost part (though we have mentioned three cases in which the paranoia is justified), if you decide that doubling down on security is your cup of tea, go right aheadActually, . Just keep in mind that there’s a price to pay.

• Loss of speed. The most evident cost you’ll have to pay for a multi hop comes in lower speeds when connected to a VPN. Even a single connection reduces connection speeds because encryption and traffic routing take time and computing power. If you add another VPN stage, things slow down so much more. In addition, if you want to transfer large files, use your BitTorrent client, or see streaming videos, the chances are that the multi-hop will not be optimal for your user experience.
• No Tor over VPN. If you have ever used Tor to protect your security, you already know that navigation speeds in the Tor network are low. You can double down on security by launching your Tor browser over a single VPN connection. Adding a further VPN layer will make snail races look exciting.
• Resource intensive. Double VPN connections mean more work for your device, not just your VPN provider. Your battery will drain quickly, and the other tasks on your device will slow down. If you can be plugged in, that’s not a problem, but if you’re on the go (which is the point in mobile devices), you won’t be able to be online for long.
• Server choice. As far as we’ve seen in most VPN networks, the server list for multi-hop users is much smaller than the regular list. Also, you can’t choose each server separately. Instead, you must choose from a list of already paired servers.

So, the primary drawbacks of double VPNs are inefficient speeds and battery use as a matter of fact . Indeed, Your dual connection may be manageable if you have an astonishingly swift internet platform provider. On the lack of variety of server choices, most of the available pairs are located in the countries where the servers are most useful for almost every task (the US, UK, Netherlands, etc.), so lack of choice does not translate into a lack of flexibility.

Double VPN: How does it work?

Indeed, If the notion of any VPN is to encrypt your traffic and hide your IP addresswhat, you want for your multi-hop solution is to do that twice. In fact, You could do three this, four, or more times.

However, doubling a VPN connection is already so redundant, decreasing functionality so much that going triple or quadruple is pointless. Furthermore, securing a connection against God’s angels’ best computer won’t help if the speeds are so slowIndeed, that you can’t even check your email.

Let’s improve our understanding of multi-hop connections by knowing what happens in a single scenario. It’s as a matter of fact worth noting that It goes like this:

• Your local VPN app (or Chrome extension or router if it’s VPN-enabled) encrypts your outgoing traffic and sends it to your VPN server.
• The server decrypts your traffic.
• The server then sends your unencrypted traffic to the designated target. This target sees your IP address as the servers’.
• The exact process occurs backward as you get your answer from the target.

Sofar , so good? Ok, so here’s how it goes when you double down on your VPN connections:

• Your local VPN app (or Chrome extension or router if it’s VPN-enabled) encrypts your outgoing traffic and sends it to your VPN first server.
• The first Server encrypts your traffic again (instead of decrypting it) and hides your IP.
• The first server sends this traffic to the second VPN server.
• The second server sends your traffic to the wanted target after decryption.
• Then, the process repeats itself in the opposite direction, bringing you the target’s answer.

So, if everything is done correctly, your traffic is encrypted twice, and your target never sees your IP address or the first server’s. Instead, it will think all traffic originates in the second server.

But beware of some VPN providers claiming to give you multi-hop connections that do not encrypt your traffic twiceInterestingly, . Instead, those services will decrypt your information twice. In this scenario, your confidentiality is not enhanced but emperiled because a successful attack against only one of the servers is enough to intercept all your traffic. fact In, But your IP address will remain hidden after the first VPN server if that’s any consolation to you.

Are Multi-hop connections as a matter of fact safer than regular single VPN connections?

Yes, double VPN connections are always safer than regular ones. This remains true even if your VPN does not encrypt your facts twice. , , Even in that scenarioIndeedyour IP is masked twiceMoreover, the encryption process makes a brute-force attack useless even when not stacked. .

Double split is yet another reason why multi- connections are muchhopsafer. By “double split,” we mean this: the VPN server knows your IP address and destination in a single connectionAs more than ever you may know, So, even a successful attack against either server can’t get all the information necessary to youlocateor determine your actions. . The other one knows the destination but not your IP address. Indeed, However, in the double connection, neither server knows everything. as it turns out One knows your IP address but not your destination.

For instance, In fact, However, in the final analysis, your double VPN connection is only as safe as your VPN.a no-logs policy is more critical to protect your confidentiality than a double connection if a government forces your provider to give up its logs. If your provider doesn’tthestick to no-logs practice, there’s no reason to employ a double connection.

And this is precisely why one of the most significant things to do regarding your digital security istheto select correct VPN vendor — in this regard; policies are as significant as innovation. So it would be, leading to always look for a VPN service that’s been audited independently and whose regulation has been held up in court. The first requisite narrows down the provider choice in modern times because only OpenVPN has been audited extensively from all the VPN protocols open in the industry.

Another thing to look for in a VPN provider is RAM-only servers. These machines are inherently incapable of logging traffic because all their data is volatile, evaporating into oblivion as soon as the active session goes offline.

Other factors to keep in mind include safety against IP leaks, a good kill switch, and the parent enterprise is in a confidentiality-friendly jurisdiction — this is a rare case which banana-republic-based corporations areinpreferable to those based in the most advanced countries of the world.

Whenhopdo you need a Multi- from another perspective VPN?

Indeed, Your grandparents probably never looked go back at their lives, wondering why they didn’t employ a multi hop with regret. Actually, But let’s not forget that their world was different and that digital as it turns out security is paramount today. Maybe you more than ever won’t, either.

If you come to a point where you must regret it, it’s already too late, and the consequences can be exceedingly grievous. So here are a few scenarios in which using a double VPN is a good idea:

Public WiFi hotspots

Do you love to go to your nearest public WiFi hotspot and do your day’s workbeveragewhile you enjoy your favorite meal or hot ? The hackerslove it, too.

Unfortunately, public WiFi hotspots are notoriously unsafe as a matter of fact Indeed, . As you may know, Here is where you broadcast all your information to the world. It doesn’t mean there is no encryption. But the encryption is trivial to crack, so hackers can collect your traffic and save it for later analysis.

If you’re not on a VPN, they can from another perspective follow all your online steps, and if you log into any critical profile through the WiFi hotspot, they’ll explore your passwords and usernames. In everyday situations, few are as dangerous for your safety public WiFiasspots.

Fortunately, a VPN connectionInterestingly, will keep you protected even against skilled most the hackers. Is a double VPN twice as as it turns out good in this situation? No. better’s exponentially It.

Steeringclear of surveillance

Double VPNs will thwart any effort by a third party to surveil you and know if you’re visiting blocked websites, downloading illegal content, or more than ever going against the status quo in any way. Yes, it happens everywhere to some degree. Interestingly, Governments keep antheireye on citizens. So why allow your government (or a foreign one) to discover everything you do online from another perspective ?

Activismor in modern times journalism

If you are writing about sensitive topics or taking economic or political action against the powers that be, you can rest assured that thereyouare people worldwide who would like in modern times to see fail. Indeed, Why give them that pleasure? Suppose you protect yourself, your collaborators, your family, or your sources with a double VPN. In that case, you will have users security and access to web resources unavailable to regular extra in your country.

When more than ever is a Double VPN not needed?

The situation becomes worse when a second encryption layer is added. A VPN will slow your rate because your traffic is rerouted to an intermediary server, and your details travels further.

layer, details-intensive activities like streaming, gaming, and torrenting may not more than ever require the additional protection Therefore.

Streaming Geo-Restricted Information

-Hop VPN isMultiunreliable when accessing regionally restricted content and Netflix, Spotify, like HBO GO. Streaming online content requires in modern times a speedy web connection. However as a matter of fact , using a double VPN will cause the stream to buffer as it directs your traffic to multiple servers before the to connecting streaming site.

Moreover, its servers are in aavailablefew locations.Server coverage is vital for streamingInterestingly, as it allows you to access material exclusively restrictedin various regions.

Torrenting from another perspective activity

Torrenting is a common way to install material online. Double VPN uses two or more hops between your home computer and the VPN server to enhance online confidentiality, which is necessary when downloading torrents.

Actually, Also, a VPN helps hidetorrentyour IP address from the swarm, cipher your P2P traffic, and conceal your torrenting activity from your ISP. As you may know, However, the extra rerouting of your details can cause slow internet pace, resulting in lags and buffering.

Gaming

Gaming online requires sufficient internet speed to maintain a connection to theserver and avoid delay. A VPN will enable you to access ingamesother regions and keep you secure, especially when playing multiplayer games. Actually, However, a multi-hop will double the number of pings as it routes the traffic to another server, which isn’t good for gaming.

Double VPN and VPN over VPN – What is the difference?

Interestingly, Double VPN connections and VPN over VPN connections are as a matter of fact very alike for the most part. In fact, In both cases, you are using two VPN servers instead of oneIndeed, . Actually, The difference isthis : double VPNs use two servers maintained by the same provider. VPN over VPN uses two servers, each from a different provider.

As you may know, So, the . seems negligible, but that slight difference can make a huge differencedifference It’s worth noting that If in modern times you utilize two servers in this network, all your information (IP address included) is there for the law to see. For example, suppose your VPN logs your dataserversand a law enforcement agency raids its , and grabs all the stored user data.

Interestingly, So, the VPN over VPN option ensures that no external party can get any incriminating information on you. Indeed, One server will know your IP address destination and, but none will know both. A VPN overthea VPN is different because none of the two servers has enough details about you to complete whole picture.

Of course, a VPN over VPN connection means that you mustBut if you value your security enough, then the additional cost is worth it because it allows you to keep your eggs in different baskets — almost literally. In different regard, choosing VPN in modern times vendors from this countries would always be leading. pay for two VPNs at the same time to be more expensive.

However, technical complications may arise when setting up a VPN over a VPN connectionMostsoftwareproviders do not design their with another VPN in mind, so launching different VPN clients simultaneously can be tricky. . More on that after the proceed section.

Interestingly, Which is safer: Double VPN or Tor over VPN?

For example, Both are reliable security features that serve different purposes.Double VPN routes your traffic through two servers, encrypting twice it. This adds an as a matter of fact extra security layer to your connection. It’s worth noting that On the other hand, Onion/Tor over VPN improves your security when accessing the Tor/Onion network.

Interestingly, Tor over VPN two mean can things. One, you can utilize a VPN and the Tor (Onion) browser to increase your safety when accessing Onion sites. Two, ‘Onion/Tor over VPN’ can be a VPN’s built-in capability that provides extra protection when using the more than ever Tor browser (Onion Network).

The combination of the VPN and the Onion Network is more secure as it encrypts your traffic twiceAs you may know, Conversely, Tor over VPN routes your traffic through multiple Tor Nodes and a VPN, encrypting your facts four times. As a result, your connection as a matter of fact becomes more anonymous and less susceptible to traffic correlation attacks. . As you may know, Many ‘hops’ and ‘nodesIn fact, ’ make it harder to identify your traffic origin.

Onion/Tor over VPN gives you more options when choosing a VPN, as almost all VPNs can work with the Tor BrowserThis differs from the double choices function, as only a few VPNs offer it, limiting your VPN. .

It’s worth noting that Leading services with multi-hop today

Thus, the the used to be a instrument for VPNs nerdiest among us. However, as the public interest in online privacy and security has exploded over the last few years, many more users started getting a VPN platform.market is overcrowded now, and picking the leading VPN for needs isyourdifficult. It takes time, attention, and a bit of in modern times expertise.

We want as a matter of fact to save you the hard work, which is why, in this section, we will tell you about the three most effective VPNs that weoptiontested and known to be excellent for having a double VPN for the clients who want it.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is our favorite VPNPeriod. Enabling the capability requires only a select. vendoratfor any task all. It does everything a great should do forVPNyou, including much more. Its system is fantastic, versatile, and cost-effective. The VPN offers multi-hop in macOS (the OpenVPN version), Windows, and Android apps.

Another perk of NordVPN is the native support for Tor over VPN, one of the security methods we mentioned earlier. . is great for users who want to utilize the Tor network but are not too expertThis

2. Proton VPN

Proton VPN includes the “Secure to” feature that allows you Core establish multiple VPN connections.

Then your traffic goes one another country, a more problematic to regarding cyberspace regulations, surveillance, and restrictions. When you activate the option, you’ll link to a server in a confidentiality-friendly jurisdiction.

Secure Core is available in ProtonVPN’s Android and Windows apps. more than ever You can set it upalsoby hand if you’re on Linux, iOS, Android, or macOS.

3. more than ever Windscribe

Windscribe offers a “double hop” function, which is but nothing a double VPN function.

Interestingly, Only desktop users can apply the option but without specialized servers. Instead, Windscribe suggests that users establish VPN connections simultaneously using its browser extension with the customer software.

The limitation of that arrangement lies in that the double capability protects only the browser’s traffic. The rest either goes through regular trafficsingleor a VPN connection.

Creating your own double VPN setup

Actually, There is a very slight chance that all you will need to do to have a VPN over VPN connection working correctly will be to launch the first oneit ( will know your IP address), then the second one (it will know your traffic’s target). You will have to tinkeroftenaround a bit to get things going. While this is possible, it’s not very likely.

Actually, If nothingbetweenworks after launching both VPNs, it could be because of a conflict security protocols. You can resolve a problem as a matter of fact by ensuring each solution uses this different protocol. For instance, if you have OpenVPN on one server, pick IKEv2 for the other.

If you already configured each VPN to use a different tunneling protocol and your connection remains useless, you can install each platform on a different device. network will work fine if the issue arises from each VPN’s virtual This cards.

That’a not s problem. You canstill try two different strategies. So you don’t have many devices to play with, we hear you say?

Many good VPN services can be installed directly into your home router. This guarantees that the VPN will protect all the traffic in and out of your home or office through the router.Once that bit is ready, you launch the other VPN on your device, and everything should be peachy.

virtual other option is to set up a The machine. As you may know, So, in this scenario, you launch one VPN in your regular environment and the other inside the virtual operating system. In this case, everything should go smoothly, too.

Actually, Lastly, there is another option but with a limited scope. In network, Many VPNs make their fact available through a browser extension. However, it only protects your web ; thetrafficrest will go through a single VPN connection. So you could set up a VPN for the from another perspective employ, then launch regular extension within your browser.

Actually, Maximizing your protection withadditional VPN features

We already explained why a double VPN connection itself guarantees nothing.If other variables do not line up, you remain exposed (albeit in a fancier manner). most critical additional capability isThethat your provider must not keep any logs or have an affiliation with governmental agencies. Also, the VPN network itself must be guarded.

Then, there are other desirable VPN features that you should require. A good kill switch is one. The kill switch shuts down all your traffic when your connection to the VPN server is lost, preventing any IP leakages.

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