Onion Over VPN

NordVPN – your gate to ultimate privacy on the internet.

Onion Over VPN is a special feature of NordVPN. It gives you all the advantages of The Onion Router (Tor) combined with the extra security of a VPN tunnel.

3 reasons you need Onion Over VPN

SimplicityJust one click and you’re routed through the Onion network. You can also connect to a regular NordVPN server and use the Tor browser – your choice.
Privacy from ISP or authoritiesYour internet service provider can see that you use Onion – though not what for. NordVPN shields you from all third parties and does not track your online activity – roam the internet in absolute privacy.
EncryptionNordVPN sends your traffic through an encrypted tunnel, adding another layer of security over your browsing.

Onion Over VPN operating principle scheme

Layers of anonymity with Onion Over VPN

In the Onion network, you send your traffic through a network of volunteer-operated servers.
It goes through three stages:

1. Entry

You connect to the Onion network at a random entry point.

2. Maze of servers

While traveling through multiple servers, your data is enveloped in layers of encryption.

3. Decryption

Further down the road, the layers of encryption are peeled off one by one.

4. Exit

Your data is decrypted, and you exit through a random node, landing on the web.

Onion without VPN poses these threats

Untrustworthy ISPs

Without NordVPN, your internet service provider will know you use the Onion network to access the internet. This can be especially risky for political and human rights activists, journalists, and bloggers, who work and live in censorship-heavy countries.

Snoopers in the network

Onion servers are volunteer-operated – anyone can set up and run one. That means authorities or bad actors could deploy thousands of compromised servers to track you online. Furthermore, no single node sees the full picture, yet someone watching multiple servers – especially entry and exit nodes – can discover your real IP address.

Onion gives you anonymity, but NordVPN delivers the security

NordVPN encrypts your traffic and hides your real IP before connecting to the Onion network. NordVPN adheres to a strict no logs policy, so everything you do online remains hidden from all parties, including us.

Why do you need NordVPN?

Privacy

Shield your online activity – including the fact that you use Onion – from your internet service provider.

Security

Protect yourself from compromised Onion nodes and third-party snooping.

Encryption

Add an extra secure VPN tunnel over the layers of Onion anonymity.

Who should use Onion Over VPN?

Journalists and political activists

If you need to take extra steps to protect yourself and your sources from surveillance and censorship.

Residents and travelers in autocratic regimes

If your internet traffic is monitored and logged by government institutions.

Journalist male works with sensitive data in the office

Persons who work with sensitive data

If a single leak can cause tremendous harm or place people in real danger.

When you don’t need Onion Over VPN?

For casual browsing

A VPN tunnel is more than enough to guarantee your safety. You are completely secure when you browse the web connected to a NordVPN server.

For maximum speed

Since you take a longer path, routing your traffic through multiple Onion servers, you experience a slower connection.

When using Double VPN

If you don’t want to deal with the Onion network, use the Double VPN feature, which routes your data through two VPN servers, providing double the security.

You’ve never heard of the Onion router before? The basics are quite easy to grasp

The Onion Router (Tor) is a specialized browser that sends your data through a chain of servers to hide your identity.

So instead of taking a direct route, your internet data enters the Onion network via a random relay anywhere around the globe. Then it makes at least one additional hop and, finally, goes through a random exit node to its final destination on the web.

When your internet traffic enters the Onion network, it goes through layers of encryption at every point of connection, making it difficult to identify where the traffic comes from. The entry node sees your real IP address, but not the final destination on the web. The exit node sees the final destination, but not your IP address.

However, when you use NordVPN, even the entry node cannot see your IP address. So even if someone is observing vast portions of the Onion network, they won’t be able to discern your real identity.

Layer your privacy with
Onion Over VPN

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Onion network the same as a VPN?

No. While both tools provide privacy, the Onion network uses different technology from a VPN. The Onion network is more focused on providing you with ultimate privacy. Meanwhile, a VPN focuses on both your security and privacy.

Is Onion browser illegal?

Just like anything, the onion network can be used for both good and bad behavior, so using the Onion browser is fine as long as you're not doing anything illegal. You may get flagged for suspicious activity, though, because of the Onion network's widespread popularity among criminals. That's why using Onion over VPN is a good idea — no sneaky ISP will be able to pin you down.

Can Onion routing be traced?

While Onion routing gives you an extremely high privacy level, it's not 100% anonymous. Government agencies work tirelessly to track the network, and if you happen to connect to one of the nodes controlled by them, it will compromise your privacy. Not to mention, governments have a plethora of other surveillance techniques that not even the Onion browser can overcome.

Is Onion Over VPN safe?

Just like any other cybersecurity tool, the Onion network can be compromised. However, if you use the Onion browser with a VPN, your actual IP address will stay hidden even if the network is jeopardized.

Double VPN or Onion Over VPN — which one is better?

Both Double VPN and Onion Over VPN servers are great choices if you want extra security and privacy. The difference comes down to the way they work. The Double VPN feature routes your data through two separate NordVPN servers, encrypting your data twice for maximum protection. With Onion Over VPN, you relay your data to the Onion network through a secure NordVPN server, ensuring that your safety even if the network is compromised.

Keep in mind that certain websites may block connections from the Onion network. Double VPN is also slightly faster, although both options will slow down your connection due to the extra security measures.