Double VPN and Obfuscated VPN are server connections that work to conceal your IP address and encrypt the internet data you send and receive so that your location is masked. Double VPN servers, or chain VPN, encrypt your data twice or more while obfuscated VPN conceals the fact you’re using VPN.
If you want to learn more about double and obfuscated VPN and which one works better for you, keep reading below for a more detailed description of each. Both double VPN and obfuscated VPN have their benefits and their disadvantages, and you can read all about them below.
Double VPN Vs. Obfuscated VPN
Double and obfuscated VPN work to provide your internet traffic and website searches with additional security and privacy protection.
The main difference between the two is that where VPN or double VPN might come up against firewalls and blocks, obfuscated VPN can easily get through these blocks by essentially masking that you’re using a VPN.
Here are the pros of both double VPN and obscured VPN
| Double VPN | Obfuscated VPN |
| Has double encryption as opposed to one with regular VPN | Hides open VPN traffic to get around firewalls and blocks |
| Provides superior and enhanced security | Allows access to VPN that is blocked in some countries |
| Supports extensive privacy | Adds a layer of privacy |
| Is safer than a regular VPN connection | Provides faster web surfing |
| You can use more than two regular VPN servers – called Chain VPN or multi-hop VPN | Supports extensive internet access |
Both double VPN and obfuscated VPN are safe to use, but while double VPN encrypts your server and web traffic twice, obfuscated VPN hides that you’re using a VPN at all.
The one that works best for you will probably depend on the work or hobby you’re pursuing through which you’re needing additional security and server protection from prying eyes and firewalls.
What is Double VPN and How Can it Work for You?
If you know what a regular VPN is, then double it, and you have a double VPN.
VPN is a system that works to reroute and encrypt your IP address through another server for privacy and for being able to reach content, like streaming services, in another place you might not usually have access to.
A double VPN encrypts and reroutes your IP address through two VPN servers, encrypting it twice.
Imagine being famous and having two security guards on you while you’re walking around the mall, you have double security to protect you. That’s what double VPN does, your online search and receive activity goes through two VPN servers instead of one, so your security is doubled.
So, here is what usually happens with one VPN server:
- A user’s IP address is encrypted on their internet server then travels once to the designated VPN server
- Your IP address and your internet activity is encrypted once it reaches this server, making you anonymous
- Your internet traffic then comes back to you with the desired information
Here is what happens with a double VPN server:
- Your internet search/IP address is encrypted on your internet server
- It then travels to the next VPN location where it is encrypted again
- It then travels even further, to a second VPN destination to be encrypted once more
- The internet traffic finally reaches its destination, then travels back to you through the same encryption process.
As you can see with the double VPN, there is an extra step involved when compared with the single VPN.
You can also use more than two VPNs, also known as chain VPN or multi-hop VPN, which has the same protective workings as regular VPN but goes through multiple servers.
What are the Disadvantages of Double VPN?
It all sounds great, but there are some disadvantages to using double or chain VPN servers:
- Limited server choices due to firewalls and server blocks to VPN users
- Slow connection speeds – this can be due to server systems trying to discourage you from using VPN
- Relies heavily on battery power so prepare for fast battery drainage and possible overheating
- If not set up properly, VPNs can leak online data and fail to encrypt your server properly
- Not all VPNs are legitimate, and they have been known to log and sell browsing data to third parties
- While your online data can’t necessarily be tracked through using a VPN, servers can see that you are using a VPN
Who Needs Double VPN?
Double VPN is good for people in careers like journalism, who need to access accurate information outside their usual scope.
For example, if I wanted to research something in Australia, it might not usually be accessible to me as a US resident. A VPN server will help me to reach this information by hiding my IP address location, but a double VPN will provide my server with enhanced security and most likely access to the required Australian site.
- You might work in a position that requires you to use a VPN for collecting personal and sensitive information or reaching further servers not often available to you.
- Double VPN is used for journalists and political activists
- Torrenting and streaming
What is Obfuscated VPN and Who Needs It?
An obscured VPN or an obscured server uses algorithms that “eliminate” the visibility of a user using a VPN or a Tor. An obscured VPN essentially puts anonymity on the VPN/Tor of the anonymous user.
When you are using a VPN, the system’s servers can still see that you’re using a VPN or a Tor and can keep a close eye on you to make sure there’s no illicit- or unlawful-like behavior monitored.
When you connect to an obfuscated server, specialized servers hide the fact that you are indeed using a VPN or Tor. An obfuscated VPN basically hides its own traffic. You need an obfuscated VPN to connect to an obfuscated server.
Some other names for Obfuscated VPN are:
- Stealth VPN
- VPN Cloaking
- Stealth Mode VPN
- Traffic Obfuscation
- Cloaking Technology
Just like VPN servers, there are numerous Obfuscated VPN and Obfuscated servers available to assist you in providing extra security and anonymity measures to your server.
What are the Disadvantages of Obfuscated VPN?
Unfortunately, obfuscated VPN is not as straightforward as regular or double VPN and requires more time from the user to have it set up.
- Obfuscation VPN needs more resources compared with regular VPN
- Obfuscation VPN can slow down your server and connection
- You need both obfuscated VPN and obfuscated VPN servers for this system to work
Who Needs Obfuscated VPN?
Obfuscated VPN is good for users who want to hide that they’re using VPN.
Using VPN can slow your system down (though it is still faster than using Tor) because your server will try to dissuade you from using it, so when you’re using VPN obfuscation, you can essentially mask this and trick your server into going a more normal speed.
- Obfuscated VPN is also good for journalists and political activists who have reached VPN firewalls and blocks and need to get through for relevant information – obfuscated VPN can bypass the blocks
- Obfuscated VPN is used by people who live in countries where VPNs are blocked like China for example
- Obfuscated VPN is also used by people who generally and genuinely cherish their privacy
Conclusion
While both have their advantages and disadvantages, choosing a double VPN or an obfuscated VPN will depend entirely on why you need to use it.
VPNs can regularly come up against VPN blocks and firewalls, but an obfuscated VPN eliminates this issue by scrambling your server to look like average HTTPS internet traffic. One thing to note and keep in mind is that obfuscated VPN providers are limited, while VPN providers are plentiful.
Recent Comments