DoubleVPN

Double VPN (or Multi-hop VPN) is an advanced privacy feature offered by certain VPN services. Double VPN encrypts a user's internet traffic twice and sends it through two different VPN servers before it reaches its destination. The use of multiple servers provides additional security and privacy, making it an excellent choice for people who want to remain anonymous online.

What is Double VPN?

In a typical VPN setup, a user's internet traffic is routed through a single VPN server, where it is encrypted and assigned a new IP address before reaching the internet. Double VPN, on the other hand, encrypts your traffic and sends it to one VPN server, where it gets encrypted again and routed through a second VPN server before reaching your desired website or service. This means the user's data gets encrypted twice and takes an additional "hop" between servers.

For example:

• Once the VPN connection begins, the user's data is encrypted on their device and routed to the first VPN server.
• It is then encrypted again at the first server and forwarded to a second VPN server.
• The second VPN server decrypts one layer of the data and then delivers it to the target Internet destination.

Why do VPN services use Double VPN?

1. Two-stage encryption for a secure messaging experience
   Double encryption is the primary advantage of Double VPN. Data is encrypted every time it passes through a VPN server. Double VPN provides users with an extra security layer, making it extremely challenging for cybercriminals or surveillance agencies to intercept or decrypt data. People handling sensitive information or working in high-risk professions, such as journalists or activists, should use this double encryption approach.

2. An extra layer of IP masking
   This doesn’t only mean an extra layer of encryption but also multiple IP address changes — a good Double VPN practice. Users also gain an additional layer of anonymity since their IP address changes with each VPN server. For example, after routing through the first server, the user's IP is replaced with the IP of the first server. Once the data is sent through the second server, it is masked again, further hiding the original user's IP address.

3. Enhanced privacy from potential threats
   Double VPN offers an extra layer of protection in high-risk areas, including restrictive countries with extensive internet surveillance. Multiple server hops can help bypass more rigorous censorship and monitoring, allowing users safer access to the internet. Double VPN effectively makes tracking user activity or locating the user much harder by routing the data through two separate servers in different geographic locations.

4. VPN server compromise protection
   If one VPN server were somehow compromised, the extra layer of encryption and routing over a second server would still secure the user's data. Double VPN often caters to users who require additional protection against potential threats, such as advanced surveillance.

The downside of Double VPN

Double VPN certainly offers clear privacy benefits, but it also has a few downsides:

• Slower speeds: Because two servers are used to route data, it increases the distance and processing time, meaning connection speeds can slow down. This may not suit activities such as gaming or streaming, where speed is critical.
• Potential increase in data usage: While still minimal, double encryption does increase your data usage, as each layer of encryption adds additional data to the packets.
• Limited access: Not every VPN includes a Double VPN feature, and it’s generally limited to certain servers or regions.

When should you use Double VPN?

Double VPN is especially useful in situations where enhanced safety is required, including:

• Sensitive countries — areas with strict censorship/surveillance.
• Handling sensitive information (which requires additional protection).
• Conducting sensitive research or investigative work that demands total anonymity.
• Keeping yourself safe when dealing with financial information, such as during international transfers or crypto trades.

Double VPN is not necessary for everyday browsing or streaming due to the potential slowdown in speed. However, it becomes indispensable when the highest levels of privacy and security are required.

List of VPN providers with DoubleVPN feature:

• Surfshark VPN (The biggest draw of Surfshark VPN is that you can connect an unlimited number of devices to a single subscription, which is not the case with most other VPN providers.).

• NordVPN (Strong privacy protection with military-grade encryption. It offers a large server network, allowing for fast and reliable connections, and is superb at unblocking streaming services. It has a few unique features such as strong security, fast speeds, and global coverage.).

• VeePN (VeePN is a very popular VPN service with over 40 million active users. It has a reasonable price and an easy-to-learn interface for all platforms.).

• IPVanish (IPVanish provides a cost-effective 2-year plan, ideal for those who want to use it for a while.).

For privacy enthusiasts and those conducting sensitive online activities, the Double VPN feature is a must. This type of VPN can encrypt the data in two ways, routing it through two isolated servers that provide a layer of security and anonymity, making it almost impossible for a third party to know, track, or trace any user data. It’s not necessarily needed for every user, but in high-risk situations where privacy is crucial, Double VPN can be helpful.