Multi-hop VPN: What is it, and do you need one?

What is a multi-hop VPN?

A multi-hop VPN is a security feature that routes your internet traffic through two or more VPN servers. Typically, when you are using a regular VPN (virtual private network), your traffic is encrypted and routed through a single VPN server. This way, it changes your IP address and makes your browsing activity more secure.

However, a multi-hop VPN goes one step further. Instead of connecting you to a single server and encrypting your browsing activity, it sends your online traffic through multiple servers before reaching its destination. Each server adds another level of encryption to protect your privacy and makes it harder for anyone to track your activity or identify your location. Even if someone intercepts your internet traffic at one server, they won’t be able to trace it back to you, because multiple layers of encryption keep your traffic safer. 

A multi-hop VPN makes your online presence significantly harder to trace and can also protect you against potential cyber threats like hacking or data theft. In high-risk scenarios where privacy is crucial, multi-hop VPNs add another layer of assurance that your data won’t be compromised.

Is a multi-hop VPN safe?

When it comes to the question of safety, multi-hop VPNs are generally very secure. Since they encrypt your online traffic multiple times before it reaches its destination, they make it significantly more secure.

However, it’s also important to understand that the security of a multi-hop VPN essentially comes down to the VPN provider you choose. Not all VPN services are created equal, and using an unreliable provider won’t give you the full benefits of a multi-hop system. Some providers might offer multi-hop VPN options, but they might not have the highest standards of encryption or security. But if paired with advanced encryption standards, multi-hop VPNs are generally very safe. So choose a VPN service known for its strong security features.

How does a multi-hop VPN work?

To get a better understanding of how a multi-hop VPN works, let’s first take a look at how a regular VPN connection works:

1. 1.When you connect to a VPN, it creates a secure, encrypted VPN tunnel between your device and the VPN server.  
2. 2.Your device encrypts the information (like the website you want to visit) and sends it through the secure tunnel to the VPN server.  
3. 3.The VPN server then decrypts the data and sends this unencrypted traffic to its destination, which is the website’s server. It also changes your original IP address to the one of a VPN server.
4. 4.The web server sends the requested data back to the VPN server.  
5. 5.The VPN server encrypts the data from the web server and sends it back to you through your internet service provider (ISP).  
6. 6.Your VPN client decrypts the data when it reaches your device, and you can view the content securely.

Now a multi-hop VPN works similarly to a traditional VPN, just with a few additional steps and multiple VPN servers:

1. 1.You connect to a VPN, which creates an encrypted connection between your device and the first VPN server.
2. 2.Your device encrypts the data (internet traffic) and sends it to the first VPN server in the chain.
3. 3.The first VPN server then decrypts your data and assigns a new IP. Instead of forwarding it straight to its final destination (a web server), it re-encrypts the data before forwarding it to the next VPN server.
4. 4.The second VPN server receives the data, decrypts it, assigns a new IP, re-encrypts the data, and sends it further along the chain.
5. 5.If your multi-hop VPN includes more servers, each VPN server in the chain repeats this process of changing your IP address and re-encrypting your traffic before passing it along.
6. 6.The last server in the chain removes the outer layer of encryption and forwards your request to the website’s server.
7. 7.The website responds, and the data travels back through the VPN chain. The last VPN server encrypts the response and sends it back through the chain, with each server adding another layer of encryption before passing it along.
8. 8.Once the encrypted response reaches your device, your VPN client decrypts it, allowing you to access the content securely.

When a standard VPN may not be enough

While people can enjoy the security benefits of a VPN with a standard setup, in particular and more complicated circumstances, a multi-hop VPN might be necessary:

• Extreme censorship. In regions with strict internet regulations, where extra caution is needed when browsing online, using a multi-hop VPN can provide even more privacy and security. It adds an extra layer of protection to help you avoid tracking and protect your online activity.
• High-risk activity. A multi-hop VPN offers additional security for journalists reporting on sensitive topics or individuals sharing information that requires added protection of multi-hop encryption. It ensures that internet traffic passes through multiple VPN servers.
• Work environments dealing with highly sensitive information. If you’re handling sensitive information or performing tasks that require even more privacy, a multi-hop VPN provides extra layers of encryption. 

Multi-hop VPN advantages

A multi-hop VPN can be a great choice if you want to take your online security and privacy to the next level. Let’s break down some of the top benefits provided by multi-hop VPNs.

Better security

One of the most obvious benefits of a multi-hop VPN is the extra security it offers. With multiple layers of encryption, it makes it even more difficult for anyone to intercept or decrypt your internet traffic compared to a traditional VPN. Even if a hacker manages to breach one server, they would still have to deal with the other encrypted layers to get access to your information.

Better privacy

Since your original IP address is routed through multiple VPN servers, it becomes even harder for anyone to pinpoint your real location or track your online activity compared to a traditional VPN. If you’re handling sensitive information or simply want extra privacy online, a multi-hop VPN can be a good choice.

More reliable internet access

In some regions with restrictive internet policies, online censorship is a big issue. Government agencies may monitor internet activity or block access to certain websites or services. A multi-hop VPN routes your traffic through multiple VPN servers and helps you avoid tracking even more difficult than with a traditional VPN.

Multi-hop VPN disadvantages

While multi-hop VPNs have clear advantages, they are not without their drawbacks. Here are some potential disadvantages to consider before getting yourself one.

Limited performance and speed

Because your internet traffic has to go through multiple VPN servers, your internet connection can take a hit. More hops generally mean more time for your traffic to travel, leading to slower speeds and higher latency. It might become a problem if you need the fastest VPN for tasks like online gaming or streaming.

While some VPN services offer high-speed servers, the added hops still tend to slow down your connection. Additionally, you can use VPN split tunneling to keep certain apps or tasks outside the VPN tunnel and maintain faster speeds for those tasks. However, even with split tunneling, the multi-hop process can still impact your overall connection speed. For users who prioritize performance over privacy, a single-server VPN may be a better choice.

Lack of security improvement in free VPN providers

A multi-hop VPN will not improve the security of a free or fake VPN. Many free VPNs have limited encryption options, poor privacy protection, and a lack of advanced security features. If you’re using an unreliable VPN provider, the multi-hop feature won’t offer the security benefits you expect. 

For the best security and privacy, choose a premium service provider with strong encryption, reliable servers, and privacy-focused features. A free VPN might not have the infrastructure or tools necessary to protect your browsing activity effectively, no matter how many hops it uses.

A multi-hop VPN vs. Tor

When considering online privacy, Tor and VPN technologies are often compared. Both help protect your privacy, but they work in different ways. A regular VPN sends your internet traffic through one encrypted tunnel to a VPN server, while Tor bounces your connection through several volunteer-run servers, making it harder to track. A multi-hop VPN works somewhat like Tor by passing your traffic through multiple VPN servers but does so while still following the basic VPN process.

If you’re wondering if Tor is safe, it depends on how you use it. A Tor browser is great for anonymity, especially when you are accessing the dark web. However, since its exit nodes are public, threat actors might be able to monitor or control some of them. A multi-hop VPN avoids these risks by using secure, private servers while still keeping your browsing activity protected. So for everyday privacy needs, a multi-hop VPN is a better option.

When should you use multi-hop VPNs?

A multi-hop VPN isn’t always necessary for everyday browsing, but the extra security and privacy can be valuable in certain situations. You should consider using a multi-hop VPN when:

• You need even more privacy when browsing. If you’re concerned about tracking, a multi-hop VPN adds another layer of protection by making it even harder to trace your online activity.
• You are handling sensitive information. Professionals dealing with highly confidential data can benefit from the added security of multiple VPN hops.
• You have to protect yourself from advanced threats. If you’re worried about highly targeted attacks, like nation-state surveillance or sophisticated cyber threats, routing your traffic through two or more servers with a multi-hop VPN can make it even harder for attackers to track your traffic.