What Is Double VPN and Do You Really Need It? Find Out Here
TechShielder

What Is Double VPN and Do You Really Need It?

A Virtual Private Network is an increasingly popular option to keep yourself safe online. The continuous growth of internet users results in a rise in the number of people vulnerable to cyber threats. Thankfully, advancements in cybersecurity help to combat these threats. However, in the same way, malicious attackers adapt to beat these advancements.

Security organizations and professionals, therefore,  always advise having several protection layers to discourage bad actors from having a field day penetrating your network. Double VPN is one such technique that provides multiple security layers to reinforce your online protection. Essentially, it gives you double protection when you connect to the internet, making it more difficult for you to be susceptible to cyberattacks.

What Is Double VPN?

Double VPN is simply a situation where you use two different VPN servers simultaneously when you connect to the internet. It is also known as Multi-Hop or Double-Hop. It offers dual protection and encryption, strengthening the security of your connection.

The process of setting up a VPN requires a secure tunnel between your device and a VPN service provider’s server. Encryption occurs on any endpoint sending data, and decryption on any endpoint receiving data. When using the double VPN feature, two servers and tunnels actively participate in the encryption and decryption process; this permits double encryption.

How Does Double VPN Work?

Masking your IP address behind two VPN servers is better than one; although, this may cost you some speed. Understanding how regular VPN connections work is vital in understanding how double VPN works.

Let’s take a look at the typical VPN connection process:

  1. Your VPN application creates a secure tunnel between your device and the VPN server.
  2. The application encrypts outgoing traffic and forwards it to the server.
  3. The server decrypts incoming traffic from your device, masks your IP address, and sends it to the destination IP address.
  4. The server receives a response from the destination IP address and reverses the process to send the traffic to your device.

Now let’s see how the double VPN feature operates:

  1. Your VPN application creates a  secure tunnel between your device and the VPN server.
  2. The server creates a secure tunnel with another VPN server.
  3. Your VPN application encrypts outgoing traffic and forwards it to the first VPN server.
  4. The first server encrypts traffic again, masks your IP address, and sends it to the other server.
  5. The other server encrypts traffic and sends it to the destination IP address.
  6. The server receives a response from the destination IP address and reverses the process to send traffic to your device.

Apart from double encryption, using double VPN exposes only the second VPN server’s IP address. Websites you visit cannot view your actual IP address or the first server’s IP address.

NordVPNs double VPN connection.

Do You Really Need Double VPN?

Using the double VPN feature depends on you and the surrounding situation. The protection that comes with it is only worth it if you’re ready to sacrifice some speed. One VPN server with military-grade encryption, good privacy and no-log policy, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, and other standard features is enough security for the everyday user.

Here are a few situations where using a double VPN might be necessary:

1. Using Public Wi-Fi

Chances are your internet connection is not secure if you’re using public Wi-Fi. A VPN is a good idea if you’re trying to get something sensitive across a public network. These networks typically have no password or use a weak one. A double layer of protection is an even better idea and a more effective form of protection.

2. Avoiding Surveillance

Double VPN and other security features will significantly help if you are a subject of interest to your government or any authority. Governments spy on citizens and are on the lookout for those who access the content they censor or block. It will also be of interest to citizens of countries that spy on them. They can watch censored content without getting caught.

3. Journalism and Activism

Double VPN will give you the protection you need if you’re a journalist or activist that regularly writes or talks about sensitive or political issues. Governments or organizations you’re against will look for ways to find you or destroy your data so you cannot continue.

Advantages of Double VPN

There are some benefits to using double VPNs, and they include the following:

1. Additional Security

With hackers having access to more knowledge and resources than ever, one layer of protection might not be enough. A double layer might just be enough to certify your safety. Even if bad actors manage to penetrate one layer, there’s another layer of security that might discourage them from moving on with the attack.

Double VPN can also keep you safe from complex attacks by masking your IP address over two servers, making it more difficult for attackers to uncover it; this also reduces the chance of anyone discovering your identity. Even if an attacker manages to access the physical VPN server, following the IP address trail will only lead to another server.

The beauty of using a double VPN is that the first server cannot see your ultimate destination, and the other server cannot see the original IP address.

2. Access to Blocked/Censored Content

Using double VPN in countries that only permit connecting to domestic sites or IP addresses so citizens cannot access content outside the country will help you unblock content. You will need to join a server in that country and then choose another in the country you want to access, so your ISP will think you are connecting to a domestic site.

Disadvantages of Double VPN

Although there are a number of benefits to using Double VPN, it also has a few downsides:

1. Performance

The major drawback to using a double VPN is the speed reduction that comes with it. Connecting to a VPN server will affect the speed of your internet connection. Double VPN servers will further affect internet speed, and this is because of the other server your internet traffic passes. That extra distance is going to increase latency, affecting the performance of your link.

2. Power Consumption

Due to the double encryption process, using Double VPN can be resource-intensive and consumes more power than the regular VPN connection. Mobile devices’ power will deplete faster than other devices.

Best VPN Application for Double VPN

It is not every VPN service provider that offers the double VPN feature, and even those that implement it do not provide the same level of protection. For this reason, we are including the best VPN you can use to protect yourself.

NordVPN

NordVPN is a perfect blend of speed, security, reliability, and reputation. There is no debate on why it is one of the leading VPN service providers. It has its headquarters in Panama, which means no government can compel NordVPN to release user data. Its strict no-log policy also means it does not store any user data or activity logs; your personal information is safe.

Your internet connection is secure with a combination of security features, including AES-256 encryption, robust authentication protocols, hashing protocols, a kill switch, an adblocker, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, and double VPN servers. Its double VPN feature is one of the easiest to use and ensures concrete safety.

A 30-day money-back policy permits you to examine if this VPN is as powerful as it claims to be.

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Conclusion

Double VPN is an impressive feature that provides another layer of protection and strengthens your anonymity on the internet. The average internet consumer may not require the double VPN feature because of the toll it takes on performance. However, for political activists, journalists, or those who want to avoid government surveillance, it provides adequate online security. It is wise to use the double VPN feature only when it is necessary.