Have you ever worried about your online privacy and security when browsing the web or accessing sensitive info? We all have. However, there’s something you can do about it; double up your protection with a double VPN. In this blog, we’ll walk you through exactly how a double VPN works and why it can seriously boost your privacy. We’ll explain the pros and cons, how it works, and give you step-by-step instructions for setting up multi-hop connections on your devices. Whether you’re a total newbie or a tech expert, you’ll learn how to double your privacy in no time. Let’s dive in!
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What Is a Double VPN?
A double VPN, also known as a multi-hop VPN, routes your internet traffic through two VPN servers instead of one. First, it encrypts your data and sends it to the first VPN server. Then, that server decrypts the data and sends it to the second VPN server, which re-encrypts it before sending it to the internet.
Added Security
Using two VPN servers adds an extra layer of security and privacy. If one VPN has a security flaw or gets compromised, your data still has to go through the second VPN server before reaching the internet. It also hides your online activities and location even more thoroughly by obscuring your connection to either VPN server.
Slower Speeds
The downside is that multihop VPN typically reduce your internet speeds by up to 30% compared to a single VPN. The extra encryption and network hops require more processing power and can introduce latency. For many users concerned with privacy, the speed trade-off is worth the added security.
How Does a Double VPN Work?
A double VPN service gives you an extra layer of privacy by routing your connection through two separate VPN servers instead of one.
It encrypts your data and sends it to VPN server #1. Then, that server decrypts it and passes it on to VPN server #2, which encrypts it again and sends it to the internet. When the data comes back, the process happens in reverse.
This multi-hop method makes your connection extra anonymous by hiding your real IP address behind two layers of encryption. Not even the VPN services themselves will know your true identity or be able to see what websites you access. Double VPNs are ideal if you need a high level of privacy for sensitive activities like political dissent, whistleblowing, or investigative journalism.
However, there are some downsides. Double encryption can slow down your connection speed, and using two VPN servers introduces more potential points of failure. There’s also the possibility of the two services collaborating to compromise your privacy, although reputable double VPN providers take measures to prevent this.
If maximum anonymity is important to you and you’re willing to sacrifice some bandwidth, a double VPN is a great option.
What is AstrillVPN’s multihop VPN feature?
AstrillVPN’s multihop VPN feature, also known as double VPN, allows you to connect to a VPN server through another VPN server for enhanced privacy and security. When you turn on the multihop VPN feature in the AstrillVPN app, your internet traffic is encrypted and routed through two separate VPN servers in different locations before reaching the destination server.
This double layer of encryption and routing makes it much more difficult for anyone to track your online activity or determine your real IP address and location. The multihop VPN feature is ideal if you’re using public Wi-Fi, streaming geo-restricted content, or living in a country with heavy internet censorship.
With AstrillVPN’s multihop VPN, you can choose from hundreds of VPN server locations around the world to create your own custom multihop VPN chain. For the strongest privacy protection, select VPN servers in separate jurisdictions. You can configure up to 3 multi-hop servers and use them with OpenWeb. The multihop VPN feature works on all of AstrillVPN’s apps including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
To enable the multihop VPN feature, you must be Astrill’s VIP user. You can get VIP addon additionally starting from $10/month. You can select two or more locations from the list of VPN servers in the AstrillVPN app. The app will automatically create an encrypted tunnel through each server, hiding your real IP address and masking your online traffic and activity. For enhanced security, you can also enable additional features like the kill switch, IPv6 leak protection, and DNS leak test.
Double VPN Features and Benefits
A double VPN, also known as a multi-hop VPN, provides an extra layer of protection for your online activities. Here are some of the key benefits of using a double VPN:
Increased Privacy
By routing your internet traffic through two separate VPN servers in different locations, a double VPN makes it much more difficult for anyone to trace your online activity back to you. Your IP address and personal information are masked behind two layers of encryption.
Enhanced Security
A double VPN uses military-grade encryption protocols to secure your data twice, once for each VPN connection. This doubled security helps prevent cybercriminals, government agencies, and internet service providers from monitoring your internet usage or stealing your personal information.
Access Restricted Content
Some streaming services, websites and mobile apps block access to users connecting from a VPN. A double VPN can bypass these restrictions by disguising your VPN connection to appear as normal internet traffic. You’ll enjoy unrestricted access to geographically-blocked content from anywhere.
Redundancy
If one VPN server goes down for any reason, your double VPN will automatically reroute your connection through the other server so you stay protected at all times. This built-in redundancy gives you peace of mind that your privacy and security won’t be compromised.
Using a double VPN is really the best way to maximize your online privacy in today’s digital world.
What are the pros and cons of Double VPN?
A double VPN has some notable benefits for privacy and security.
- By routing your traffic through two VPN servers in different locations, it makes it much harder for anyone to track your online activity or determine your actual IP address and location.
- For many users concerned about privacy online, the enhanced security and anonymity of a double VPN is worth the trade-off in speed and cost.
However, there are some downsides to consider.
- Double VPNs typically slow down your internet connection since your data has to travel through more servers.
- The additional encryption also requires more processing power which can impact your device’s performance.
- Double VPNs are also often more expensive since they require infrastructure in multiple locations.
Top Use Cases for a Double VPN
A double VPN is ideal for users concerned about online privacy and security. By encrypting your traffic and routing it through two VPN servers in different locations, a double VPN can help mask your online identity and location.
Streaming geo-restricted content
If you want to access streaming media that is blocked in your country or region, a double VPN can help circumvent those restrictions by assigning you an IP address from another location. By connecting to VPN servers in the U.S. and then another country, you can trick streaming services into thinking you’re accessing them from a different region.
Public Wi-Fi security
When you connect to public Wi-Fi hotspots, all of your online activity and personal data are visible to hackers. A double VPN helps prevent man-in-the-middle attacks by encrypting your data twice and routing it through two separate VPN servers. Even if a hacker intercepts your data at one location, they won’t be able to access or read it.
Anonymity and privacy
For those concerned with privacy, anonymity, and avoiding government surveillance online, a double VPN may provide an added layer of protection and security. By connecting to AstrillVPN servers in privacy-friendly locations, you can better mask your real IP address and location.
When do you need Double VPN?
Some situations call for an extra layer of protection for your online activity. If you’re concerned about privacy in an insecure network or location, a multi-hop VPN is a great solution.
- Maybe you’re connected to public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop or airport. On these networks, your internet traffic is visible to anyone else on the network. A double VPN encrypts your connection twice, hiding your online activity from prying eyes.
- Activists, journalists, and political dissidents often rely on double VPN services when communicating sensitive information. The double encryption helps ensure their anonymity and security, even on compromised networks.
- For people living under repressive regimes with heavy internet censorship, a multi-hop VPN may be the only way to access banned websites and apps. The multiple layers of encryption are more difficult for censors to detect and block.
Of course, for most casual internet users double VPN is overkill. The extra encryption does slow down your connection a bit. But for those who need maximum privacy and security online, a double VPN provides peace of mind that your digital footprint is well hidden.
Is Double VPN safer than a regular VPN connection?
Yes, double VPN can be safer than a regular single VPN connection. With double VPN, your internet traffic goes through two VPN servers instead of one. This makes it much more difficult for anyone to track your online activity or steal your personal information.
Double VPN gives you an extra layer of security and privacy. Even if one VPN connection gets compromised, your data and IP address are still hidden by the second VPN. Snoops, spies and hackers will have a much harder time pinpointing your actual IP address or physical location.
When set up properly with reputable VPN services, double VPN can be a very effective way to safeguard your digital privacy and security. For many people concerned about widespread government surveillance and corporate data mining, double VPN may well be worth the extra cost and complexity.
Double VPN is really about peace of mind. For a little more effort, you can rest assured that your online communications and personal details are obscured not just once, but twice over.
Difference between Double VPN and VPN over VPN
A double VPN is not the same as connecting to a VPN server that then connects to another VPN. With a double VPN, your internet traffic is encrypted twice and sent through two separate VPN servers in different locations. This makes it much harder for anyone to track your online activity or location.
On the other hand, a VPN over VPN simply connects you to a VPN server which then connects to another VPN on your behalf. Your data is only encrypted once, by the first VPN server you connect to. The second VPN server can still see your real IP address and web traffic. This does not provide the same level of anonymity and security as a true double VPN.
To summarize, the key differences are:
- Double VPN encrypts your data twice, hiding your information from both VPN providers. VPN over VPN only encrypts once, exposing your data to the second VPN.
- Double VPN hides your real IP address from both VPN servers. With VPN over VPN, the second VPN server can still see your actual IP address.
- Double VPN makes it very difficult to track your online activity or location. VPN over VPN still allows the second VPN to monitor what you do online and pinpoint your location.
- Double VPN offers maximum privacy and anonymity. VPN over VPN provides much less protection of your personal data and web habits.
So if online privacy and security are important to you, a double VPN is the superior option over a basic VPN over VPN service. Your information stays private, secure and anonymous with a true double VPN.
How to set up a multi hop connection on your device?
To enable multihop VPN on your device, you’ll need to take a few steps. First, sign up for AstrillVPN that allows up to 3 multihop connections. Install the AstrillVPN app on your device.
Next, connect to a server location. For the first connection, choose a location in a country that is far from your physical location. Then, connect to a second server. Pick a country that is also distant from the first VPN server location.
For example, you could connect to a server in the US, then connect to a server in Australia. This multihop connection chains together two separate VPN servers in different locations to add an extra layer of privacy and security for your internet traffic.
- To set this up manually on your device, you need to get VIP addon starting from $10.
- Now open the settings for AstrillVPN and look for MultihopVPN.
- Tap to enable this feature, then select the server locations you want to use for each hop.
- The VPN services will automatically forward your traffic through two distant servers.
- Your multihop VPN is now active.
All your internet traffic will be anonymized by passing through multiple servers in separate locations. This makes it much harder for anyone to trace the origin or destination of your data. For the strongest privacy, choose VPN servers in politically and geographically distinct countries for your multihop chain.
FAQs
Using two VPNs simultaneously can be possible but not be practical solution. The basic process involves signing up for two different VPN providers, then connecting to one VPN, then connecting to the second VPN while the first one is still running. Using two VPNs can provide some additional security and privacy benefits over a single VPN but it can also lead to complexity, compatibility and speed issues.
For most casual users, a double VPN is probably overkill and not worth the additional cost or complexity. However, for those concerned about anonymity and hiding their digital footprints, double VPN may provide enhanced security. The double encryption makes your traffic more difficult to monitor and trace. Just keep in mind, more hops also mean potentially slower speeds.
Onion over VPN, also known as Tor over VPN, routes your traffic through the Tor network after connecting to a VPN. This approach is generally considered a bit safer than double VPN. Tor is designed specifically for anonymous communication and hidden services. That said, both double VPN and Onion over VPN can improve your privacy, and which is “safer” for you depends on your specific needs and threat model.
Conclusion
Now as we have reached the end of this guide on double VPN. Hopefully you now have a solid grasp of what a multihop VPN is, why it can crank up your online privacy, and how to set one up. We covered the key things like encryption, multiple server connections and potential speed impacts. While it does take more effort than a standard VPN, a double VPN can be a smart move if you want to lock down your web traffic. Give it a try and see if it works for your needs – you may be surprised by how easy it is to get running.
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