Onion over VPN means the additional layers of encryption that protect your online identity before your traffic reaches the Tor browser. Basically, Onion over VPN is also called Tor (the onion router) over VPN. Tor and VPN are a combination that adds extra layers of protection to your IP address.

As the name suggests, Onion adds privacy layers to your network and amplifies the anonymity and security of your browsing traffic. Sounds incredible, right?

This process works both ways. For example, if we connect to a VPN server before connecting to the Tor, it is called Tor over VPN, and vice versa. Both methods offer different privacy and security layers.

How does Onion over VPN work?

Before digging deep, let me explain the differences between the Tor browser and VPN software. The first and fundamental difference is that Tor focuses on offering complete anonymity, while VPN software offers online privacy.

Combining these tools can enhance privacy and security. Therefore, it is required to connect to a VPN server before using Tor. This way, you will be able to encrypt your web traffic and hide your public IP address.

Now, let’s dive into the process of how Onion over VPN works to anonymize your traffic:

  1. Once you are connected to a VPN server, the VPN creates an encrypted channel between your device and the internet, hiding your IP address and browsing history or activity from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or other third parties.
  2. Once you use the Tor browser after connecting to a VPN, the first guard node of Tor adds a layer of privacy to your IP address.
  3. Once you leave the VPN server, your browsing traffic will be decrypted, but it will still carry your IP address.
  4. When the traffic starts coming through the Tor browser, it spreads through three nodes that divide it into three locations: the guard node, the medium node, and the exit node. These nodes are also known as additional layers of Tor encryption. At each node, a layer of decryption is added.
  5. The traffic is completely decrypted at the exit node before reaching its final destination. At this stage, the exit node can see the browsing data but cannot know the IP address.

In short, the VPN server adds an extra node to transfer data. When using Onion over VPN, traffic is protected by four layers of encryption, three of which are added through the Tor browser.

Is Onion over VPN safe?

As the process of adding additional layers of privacy and security proves, it’s completely safe.

Onion over VPN prevents ISP from accessing your IP address and stops your VPN service provider from accessing your browsing traffic.

However, using the Tor browser alone can be inconvenient in terms of speed. Therefore, we recommend using the Onion over VPN setup to acquire sensitive information and when security is vital.

Let’s discuss some of the pros and cons of Onion over VPN so you can understand before you make a decision.

Pros of using Onion over VPN

Cons of Onion over VPN

  • Slow connection speed
  • Exit nodes can be blocked by websites frequently
  • Your VPN service provider might know that you are using Tor, but they will not know your activity
  • Your VPN service can still access your IP address
  • Tor only supports TCP protocol and that may expose you to UDP data leaks. (We will explain it later in the blog.)
  • You can be at risk from malicious attacks from exit nodes.
malicious attacks

When should you use Onion over VPN?

It is necessary and recommended when transferring highly sensitive information. For instance, whistle blowers or journalists in highly censored countries use this setup to bypass restrictions and access sensitive information via the Tor network.

You can use Onion over a VPN in circumstances such as:

  • When being anonymous is most important.
  • When you cannot access the TOR network directly.
  • When you are an activist, a journalist, or a whistle blower.

You should not use Onion over VPN in the circumstances such as:

  • When you are browsing the internet casually
  • When you are accessing the most standard websites, such as social media.
  • When you have the slowest internet speed.

The above precautions will help you from exposure, malicious attacks, or correlation attacks, but being careful of malicious exit nodes is still a priority.

It is always important to be cautious when using the Tor network. Never ignore the advice of using the combination of Onion over VPN. Also, never take anonymous VPN services for this matter. Go for the best VPN services.

Caution: It’s not possible to be one hundred percent anonymous. Your access to the Tor browser might still expose you. What counts here is your trust in your VPN service.

Onion over VPN vs VPN over Onion

The two ways of combining a VPN and the Tor network to increase privacy are “Onion over VPN” and “VPN over Onion.” Onion over VPN creates a connection to a VPN before establishing a connection to the Tor network. That way, your ISP can not detect that you are using Tor, and Tor entry nodes only see the VPN’s IP address instead of your real one. It also helps to prevent ISP throttling and surveillance. But your VPN provider can still watch your traffic before that hits Tor.

VPN over Onion, however, works in the opposite direction: you connect to Tor first and then to a VPN. By using this method, your VPN provider will never know your real IP and will only see the IP of the Tor exit node. It also gives access to websites that block Tor traffic. This means, on the one hand, that since ISPs know you are using Tor, this might raise some concerns or cause restrictions in some areas.

It depends on your needs to choose between these two. Onion over VPN is the better choice if you want to keep your ISP from knowing you use Tor. VPN over Onion is more suitable if you need to access blocked websites through Tor at the same time keeping your anonymity.

What are the serious concerns of using Onion over VPN?

Onion over VPN provides an extra layer of privacy but with great risks. This setup is good for preventing your IP address from leaking out on the Tor network and preventing your ISP from detecting you using it, but it is not a perfect solution. However, users should be aware of several concerns before they use this method of anonymity and security.

  • Slow internet speeds: Just like with the speed reduction mentioned for the VPN, your traffic is routed through two networks, Tor and VPN, which causes a significant slowdown when browsing, streaming, or downloading.
  • Attacker-controlled malicious exit nodes: Tor’s exit nodes have an attacker-controlled version, which intercepts or changes unencrypted traffic, placing sensitive data at risk.
  • Limited VPN protection: A VPN hides your IP before entering the Tor network, but once your traffic leaves the exit node, the VPN has no control over data security.
  • VPN logs: Your VPN provider still knows your real IP address, so you know it may have the potential to be logged. The problem is that if it keeps logs, authorities or attackers could potentially access your data.
  • Tor network surveillance: Governments and ISPs monitor Tor users, even if they cannot see what is being done on it. This can attract unwanted attention.
  • Website restrictions: Some websites block Tor traffic, limiting access to certain platforms and services.
  • VPN compatibility issues: While not all VPN services support Tor, and some of them actively block Tor traffic, it’s difficult to set up a connection.

Onion over VPN increases privacy in some circumstances, but these risks show the need for using a trusted VPN with a no log policy as well as extra security precautions when accessing the Tor network.

onion over vpn

Onion over VPN vs. double VPN

Double VPN and Onion over VPN both provide enhanced privacy, but they are used for different reasons. With Onion over VPN, your traffic is routed through a VPN before entering the Tor network, and your ISP won’t be able to trace your traffic through Tor, and your real IP address will be hidden from Tor entry nodes. Still, it greatly slows down your connection while exposing you to risks from malicious Tor exit nodes that can intercept unencrypted data.

However, Double VPN provides your traffic double encryption by doubling the VPN servers it passes the traffic through, providing an extra layer of security other than Tor. Despite not providing the same level of anonymity as Tor, it provides better speed than Onion over VPN and avoids the risks it involves.

Onion over VPN is preferable if privacy and anonymity are the main concerns, but Double VPN is preferred as it offers better encryption with higher speeds.

Conclusion

Finally, Onion over VPN is a means of adding an extra layer of encryption on top of what is already occurring online, giving you much more personal privacy. This way, your ISP would not be able to know your Tor usage and your IP would be protected from being revealed to the Tor entry nodes. However, this setup comes with certain issues, such as slower internet speeds, exposure to malicious exit nodes, and limited VPN protection once traffic leaves the Tor network. It is a good option for those who desire anonymity, but users should think about the risks it comes with and select a reliable no-log VPN provider to minimize its vulnerabilities. Ultimately, the choice of Onion over VPN comes down to individual privacy needs and the degree of the required security.

FAQs

Is Onion over VPN better than VPN?

A VPN is the best option for fast speeds and stronger online security. If you prefer utmost anonymity, an onion over VPN is the better solution.

Is it safe to use Onion over VPN?

Onion over VPN offers maximum anonymity and extra layers of VPN encryption. It comes with multiple layers of protection, but no system is entirely foolproof. Hence, you should be cautious about your general online security.

Why shouldn’t you use a VPN with Tor?

It may come with complexities and potential drawbacks. Specifically:

  • It may create a false sense of improved security while exposing you to new channels of vulnerabilities if the VPN service is compromised.
  • It may slow down your connection and significantly may expose you to 3rd parties or malicious attacks.

Why is Onion over VPN so slow?

Multiple encryption layers enabled through multiple Tor nodes may take significant time to process. The Tor’s multi-hop routing creates latency in the direct connection.

What is the onion symbol on a VPN?

The Onion consists of multiple layers, as evident from its appearance. Here, Onion over VPN means multiple layers of encryption and maximizing anonymity in Internet traffic.

Is the Onion browser untraceable?

While the Tor browser is known for maximizing anonymity, it’s still not entirely untraceable. Exposures or user errors may compromise your privacy. If you are not careful, the exit nodes can scan unencrypted traffic.

Which onion browser is the most secure?

The Tor browser is considered the most secure due to its multi-layer encryption and routing.