More people and computers are linked to the internet than ever before. However, as this global connection expands, so do the cybersecurity threats we all face.
VPNs and double VPNs are two examples of security tools used to address the ever-increasing threats to online privacy and security. Two VPN servers are used rather than one in a double VPN feature.
VPN providers offer lots of features that can leave VPN users a little puzzled. In our guide, you can learn more about more than just your standard VPN. You will learn about using double VPN and how it helps you, if at all.
By the end, you’ll find out what is double VPN, if you need to take up the VPN offer, double VPN connection, or using a standard VPN against using two VPN servers will be enough to keep you safe. (Find the Best VPN for Australia)
Is a Double VPN Worth It?
To the VPN equation, double VPNs add another stable tunnel and VPN server. Your actual IP address is masked twice instead of once when you use a double VPN.
Multi-hop VPNs are a form of VPN server now known as double VPNs. A nested chain offers further security with an added layer of encryption for a compromised VPN service or server.
To escape government censorship, double VPNs provide additional security and a secondary layer of encryption to bounce traffic between servers globally.
Complex threats, such as traffic correlation attacks, are covered by a double VPN as numerous hops between VPN connections and servers help secure online identity with more layers of anonymity. Should internet traffic leak, the NSA or anyone can’t read the contents.
Connecting to a server that only allows internet traffic to connect to a domestic IP address can be the only way around censorship. A double VPN works by the first VPN server concealing your real IP address, which the second VPN server doesn’t know.
Should the second VPN be hacked, the traffic can’t be traced back, as it’s hard to de-anonymize using this second VPN, thus increasing security and privacy.
An attacker may see encrypted outgoing traffic flowing to the next VPN server. However, they won’t know if this will be an intermediate VPN server or final server or physical connection. If hops are in different countries from two VPN servers, such attacks are nearly impossible.
Can You Use a VPN on a VPN?
You can use a VPN on a VPN, and it is possible to run one VPN on your router and the other on your device. It is also possible to run one VPN on your device and the second on a virtual machine using the same device.
For optimal security, it is advisable to use two VPN providers, regardless of the setup type you have.
Here’s how you build a double VPN by using a VPN on a VPN:
Virtual Machine
Install a second OS on a virtual machine using free virtualization tools. Hyper-V and Virtual Box are two of the best free solutions.
Install VPN on both computers
Install a VPN on both your virtual machine and computer or device. Make sure you don’t go over your allowed simultaneous connections.
Create a Double VPN
Start your VPN and connect to any server in one country. Once you do this, start the virtual machine. When inside the virtual machine, start the second VPN and select another server inside another country.
Use Double VPN
All traffic flowing from the virtual machine is routed via the first VPN server. The second VPN server will create the VPN on VPN.
Onion Over VPN vs. Double VPN
Onion routing is a network communication technique allowing near anonymous communication. If you connect to a VPN first, then Tor, you’ll get all of Tor’s benefits plus further security as no Tor server can see your home IP address.
This is an essential feature, as Tor is a fully decentralized network of volunteers where anyone can become a node. Once you enter the Tor network, the government and your ISP can spot this. So, using a VPN with Tor is better. (Find the Top Free VPN)
Your traffic will be encrypted by the VPN and passed through several layers of encryption before hitting the onion network and the servers with Onion over VPN.
The traffic you send can have several layers of encrypted traffic instead of just one. Everything on your home network using Tor is encrypted traffic to your VPN server.
Traffic is routed through two VPN servers instead of one VPN server when using a double VPN. To make detection more difficult, Tor onion routes traffic across multiple nodes. TOR Onion plus one node is Onion over VPN.
If all nodes or servers do not record traffic, Onion over VPN is more reliable than other options.
How Safe Is A Double VPN?
Even if the provider does not use double encryption, a double VPN connection can be better than a regular VPN connection.
When you use Double VPN (virtual private network), one server has your IP but not your destination, while the other has both.
When using a double VPN, there is almost always a noticeable reduction in speed. Only the most robust, top-tier VPN packages usually provide double VPNs. These VPN options are also the costliest, rendering a double VPN a costly feature.
A multi-hop VPN is neither required nor worth the typical performance trade-offs for the average user. A standard, single-hop VPN with strong encryption, DNS leak protection, and other privacy tools will suffice.
The safest option is to use a VPN provider who has been independently audited or whose services are proven safe and effective. Your VPN needs a jurisdiction outside any 5-eyes alliance, values privacy, offers leak protection, and has a reliable kill switch.
Using a double VPN to encrypt data twice isn’t unnecessary. A VPN that only uses AES 128-bit encryption will take 500 billion years to crack.
You will discover many premium VPNs up this by using AES 256-bit encryption or military-grade class. A completely encrypted solution isn’t available from every VPN provider. Many simply forward traffic to another VPN server without further encryption and decryption.
It’s important to inquire about the specifics of a VPN provider’s double VPN. Although the benefits of a dual VPN outweigh any drawbacks, your anonymity for your online activity can still be in jeopardy from the same attacks.
Is Double VPN Slow?
Because they use two servers instead of one that your data moves through, double VPN connections are slower.
Besides, they use more system resources on your smartphone or computer because they need to encrypt and decrypt data twice. Any low-powered devices can experience even further performance and speed reductions when traffic is encrypted twice.
Can Police Track Double VPN?
Police can’t track live, encrypted VPN traffic, yet if they have a court order, they can ask your ISP (internet service provider) for connection or usage logs. As your ISP knows you’re using VPN services, they can direct police to the VPN provider.
What information could a VPN give to the police depend on the country they are based on and what they collect? It also depends on what they collect and can comprise:
- Usage logs: Includes websites visited.
- Connection logs: Includes times of connection, data usage, your real IP address, and the IP address assigned by the VPN.
- No logs. Some VPN providers keep no meaningful logs of your VPN online activities. Data for billing and troubleshooting the most common.
There is no question some users for security choose a VPN; double VPN solutions can appeal for added security. However, such a VPN server chaining in such a double VPN setup can take its toll on a connection.
The question is, do you need double VPN? Many premium VPN’s offer a double-hop feature and using their 30-day money-back guarantee, you can check out your internet connection speed across multiple servers to see how a different VPN compares to another.
When choosing the best VPN, it doesn’t mean you should use this feature as your basis.
A VPN with a strict no-logs policy is based in a country outside any jurisdiction and can also let you pick a second server while offering fast download speeds will offer the best online experience.
A single VPN can keep you safe and anonymous, yet you would also have the option to use a second server such as with NordVPN double VPN. (Read Our NordVPN Reviews)
