What is a Double VPN and How does it Work?
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A double VPN routes online traffic through two VPN servers and encrypts data twice to provide higher anonymity to the user. Your internet traffic travels through two separate servers instead of just one. Each server adds its own layer of encryption and IP address masking. Due to this data hopping across VPN servers, double VPN is also called multi-hop VPN. A double VPN is an advanced VPN security feature and not every VPN service provides it.
Any regular VPN protects your internet connection through one secure server. It encrypts your data and hides your real location. But sometimes you need extra privacy protection. That’s where a double VPN becomes useful.
Double VPN setup is best for handling sensitive information or accessing the internet from high-risk locations. It is not needed for everyday web browsing. However, if you are a journalist, activist, or security professional, then double VPN provides you with valuable extra protection.
What is a double VPN and how does it work?
A double VPN routes your internet traffic through two VPN servers instead of just one and adds two separate layers of encryption for stronger privacy and anonymity. Instead of routing your traffic through a single server, it passes through two servers in sequence. This creates an encryption chain for your data to keep your identity and your online activity anonymous.
The process happens in several steps. Here’s how a double VPN work.
- Your device to the first server: Your device connects to the first VPN server. The server encrypts all your internet traffic and replaces your real IP address with the server’s IP address. The first server can see your original IP and knows where you want to go online.
- First server to second server: The first VPN server forwards your encrypted traffic to a second VPN server. Your data gets encrypted again (double encryption). The second server only sees traffic coming from the first server’s IP address, not your real IP.
- Second server to Internet: The second VPN server decrypts one layer of encryption and sends your traffic to the final destination website. It assigns its own IP address to your traffic. The second server knows where you are browsing but does not know your original IP address.
- Website response: The destination website only sees the second server’s IP address as your location. When the website responds, your traffic follows the same path in reverse - second server to first server to your device.
In short, the first VPN server sees your original IP address and knows your outgoing traffic destination. The second VPN server receives encrypted traffic from the first server and sees the final destination, but it only knows the first server’s IP address, not your real IP. Your internet traffic finally reaches its destination website. The website only sees the IP address from the second VPN server. It has no way to know your real location or identity.
The location of the second server will determine what IP address the destination websites will see when you visit them. Let’s say, if your second server is in Brazil, websites will think you are browsing from Brazil. This will affect which content and platforms you can access because you will get access to content for Brazil.
Why use double VPN?
Double VPN provides several security advantages over regular VPN connections. Although not everyone uses double VPN but those who do, have solid reasons. Here are the main reasons why people use double VPN connections.
Double encryption
Your data gets encrypted twice through two separate servers. This protects you from hackers from decrypting your information even if they intercept it.
Double masking of IP address
Each server assigns a different IP address to your connection. Your real IP address gets hidden behind two layers of protection instead of just one.
Server compromise protection
If hackers manage to breach one VPN server, the second server still protects your identity. This redundancy makes the system more resistant to attacks.
Enhanced anonymity
Double IP masking provides you with better anonymity online when no one, even your ISP, knows your real IP address.
Bypassing censorship
In many countries, where the information is censored, it is security services like double VPN that benefit journalists and activists to share information to the world by keeping their IP addresses and locations anonymous. Double VPN makes it hard for the authorities to track or block them.
Why not use double VPN?
Double VPN connections have significant disadvantages that make them unsuitable for everyday use. Understanding them lets you decide when it is worth using.
Slower internet speeds
Double VPN sends your traffic through two servers before connecting it to the streaming site finally. This will increase your latency time and might cause the stream to buffer.
High system resource usage
Double VPN uses more processing power on your device. This can deplete battery charging on mobile devices and slow down older computers.
Not compatible with all online activities
Streaming services and online games perform poorly with double VPN. The extra delay makes these activities frustrating to use.
Limited server options
Most VPN providers only offer preset server pairs for double VPN. You can not choose any combination of servers you want. This limits your location options significantly.
How do you set up a double VPN connection?
There are two main ways to create a double VPN connection. The built-in method is easier and more reliable. The manual VPN chaining gives you more control but is more complicated too.
Most VPN providers with double VPN offer it as a one-click feature. You simply select a double VPN server pair from their app. The servers are usually listed as “Country 1 → Country 2” format.
Some providers like EonVPN make this even simpler by providing double VPN protection by default on all their servers. You do not need to select special server pairs or enable its double VPN feature. Every connection automatically routes through two servers for enhanced privacy.
The EonVPN app automatically handles all the technical setup at the backend. You just choose your preferred server and connect. This method is stable and does not cause software conflicts.
2. Manual VPN chaining or VPN over VPN
You can also run two separate VPN apps at the same time. Connect to the first VPN service, then start the second VPN app and connect to a different server. This creates a manual double VPN setup or also called the VPN over VPN chaining.
Manual VPN chaining is doable and is in use by many internet users, however, this method often causes connection problems. Many operating systems do not support running two VPNs simultaneously. The setup is complicated and performance is mostly poor, but it serves the deal when in need.
Double VPN vs VPN over VPN:
Double VPNs and VPN over VPN both route your internet traffic through two servers for added security. The main difference is in how they are set up and managed.
Double VPN uses two servers from a single VPN provider. The connection is managed automatically through one app. You only need one VPN subscription and the setup is simple.
VPN over VPN connects you to servers from two different VPN providers. You need to run both VPN apps at the same time. This is why it is also called VPN chaining. VPN chaining gives you more options to choose server locations and encryption protocols. This is what provides you better data security. However, it requires two VPN subscriptions and a bit more technical setup.
| Feature | Double VPN | VPN over VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Number of VPN providers | One | Two |
| Management | Controlled by one VPN app | Controlled by two VPN apps |
| Privacy | High | Very High |
| Speed | Mid/Low | Low |
What are alternatives to double VPN?
Double VPN gives you extra privacy, but it comes at the cost of slower speeds and heavier system use. If this feels like too much then there are plenty of alternatives to double VPN without dealing with the performance hit.
Use premium single-server VPN
Although a bit pricey, a high-quality VPN already provides excellent privacy. VPN services with AES-256 encryption, no-logs policies, and kill switches are the best alternatives of double VPN.
Use privacy-focused browsers
Browsers like Firefox can help stop a lot of online tracking when set up with high privacy settings. Adding tools like uBlock Origin makes it even better by cutting out trackers.
Use Tor
Tor (The Onion Router) is a free privacy network that routes data traffic via multiple different volunteer-operated servers around the world. Tor’s anonymity benefits are similar to double VPN but work differently by bouncing your connection through three random servers (multi-hopping).
Tor Browser has built-in privacy features and blocks tracking by default. While it is slower than regular browsing, it offers strong anonymity without a VPN. You can combine Tor with a VPN for extra protection.
Secure OS
Operating systems like Linux distributions are privacy oriented OS and offer better security than any other standard operating systems. Tails OS routes all traffic through Tor automatically.
Browser security extensions
Browser security extensions force encrypted connections to provide additional security. They work along your VPN to avoid data leaks and therefore can work as an alternative to double VPN.
Conclusion
Double VPN is for people who care more about privacy than speed. It is not something you will need for casual browsing or streaming one good VPN is usually enough for that. But if you handle sensitive work or need that extra layer of protection then slower speeds can be worth the peace of mind.
FAQs
How much slower is double VPN compared to regular VPN?
Double VPN reduces internet speed significantly as compared to a single VPN connection. The exact speed loss depends on your server’s location and your original connection speed.
What is a multi-hop VPN?
A multi-hop VPN is a VPN security feature that sends your internet traffic through two or more VPN servers. No server has complete information about your browsing activity.
Can I use a double VPN for streaming Netflix?
Double VPN is not recommended for streaming Netflix. The extra servers add too much delay and can cause the video to buffer repeatedly. It is better to use a regular VPN server instead.
Is double VPN legal to use?
Double VPN is legal in most countries where regular VPNs are allowed. However, some countries might restrict all VPN usage. Confirm your area laws before using any VPN service.
Does double VPN work on mobile devices?
Yes, most VPN apps with double VPN support work on smartphones and tablets. However, the feature uses more battery power and data compared to regular VPN connections.
Can a double VPN be detected by websites?
Websites can detect that you are using a VPN but they usually cannot tell if it is a single or double VPN. Few streaming services however do block IP addresses of popular VPN servers, be it single or double VPN providers.
How is a double VPN different from Tor?
Double VPN uses two servers from the same company, while Tor browser sends traffic via multiple volunteer-operated nodes. Some VPNs also offer multi-hop servers (double VPN) and route your traffic through two or more secure locations for additional privacy.
