Using multiple VPN hops is an extreme technique to leave no trace on the internet. This is how it works

Let’s explain to you How the multi-hop technique works in a VPNso that you know this method to leave no trace on the Internet when you browse. Because if one VPN It already offers you a layer of security and privacy, with this technique also called Multi-Hop you add more additional layers.

This is a technique that is implemented in several commercial VPN services, from NordVPN even others of the best vpn services. But sometimes they can have somewhat different names and characteristics. Therefore, we are going to try to explain everything to you in a simple way.

What is multi-hop in a VPN

When you use a VPN, you are protecting your online traffic with a layer of security. This is done by passing your traffic through a server before it reaches its destination. This server sees and hides information such as your real IP, which makes your browsing safer. But there are times when this is not enough, and there are users who need additional layers of privacy.

This is where the multi-hop technique comes in, which instead of sending your traffic through a single VPN server, routes it through two or more servers until it reaches the Internet.

Imagine that you want to get from point A, which is your computer, to point B, which is the website you are going to visit. You can do it without further ado, in plain sight of everyone, or you can use a VPN which is like a tunnel where it is hidden from you and your browsing is made more private. Here, a multi-hop would mean taking several detours and several tunnels to make tracking you much more complicated.

Using this technique, your data is protected with several layers of encryption. Before leaving the computer or mobile phone, several layers are applied beforehand depending on how many hops you are going to have, and then each server decrypts its corresponding layer. It’s like putting it in a safe box to which only you know the key, but inside there is another box with another key, and inside another with another key. As if I were inside a Russian doll.

This technique also change your IP address on each server to make it more difficult to track you. None of the intermediate servers will have full visibility. Meanwhile, the former knows where you come from but not where you are going, and the latter knows where you are going but not where you come from.

And what’s the difference between a multi-hop or changing the VPN server manually? If you disconnect from one VPN server and connect to another, things like your IP and location change, but you’re still using a single server that knows where you come from and where you’re going, where your connection starts and ends. While, a multihop divides on two or more servers this information of where you come from and where you are going. You will have hidden more.

Depending on the VPN service you have contracted or configured, this multi-hop can be offered to you in different ways. For example, NordVPN offers the option Double VPNwhich is a multi-hop on two servers. This doubles the encryption of your connection, and although it is less private than doing it on three or more servers, it means that your connection does not slow down as much.

In short, this is a technique for those seeking maximum privacy, although It is not the only alternative. There are technologies like Tor network which do the same thing natively with at least three nodes, being the great reference for external anonymity. The difference is that Multi-hop chains together commercial VPN servers, while Tor routes traffic through nodes operated by anonymous volunteers, prioritizing complete anonymity over speed.

You can go further by jumping between different providers

Another thing to keep in mind is that multi-hop can be done within the same supplier or between different. Within the VPN provider itself, it is usually done with its own systems such as the aforementioned DobleVPN from NordVPN, a method that facilitates the process but allows the provider to have a theoretical global vision of the chain.

While, doing it between different providers maximizes privacy. Doing this is more complex, as it is not natively supported in commercial apps. You would have to do this by setting up the router with a VPN and then using someone else’s software, or by using an intermediate VPS server.

These are more technical configurations, although in exchange you get more privacy and security. No VPN service will have a complete view of your traffic, or if a service is hacked or has to give access to third parties through a court order, it will not have all of your browsing information either. It is for very extreme casesbut it is a possibility that exists.

Multi-hop has two negative things

The multi-hop technique adds as many additional layers of encryption and privacy as there are hops to different VPN servers you make. However, you already know what happens when when driving your car you deviate down several streets instead of going in a straight line: it takes you longer to reach your destination.

This makes using this technique your connection is slower and has more latency. There is data which indicate that latency increases between 50 and 150 ms with each hop, while connection speed can drop between 30 and 60% per hop. This data can change a lot because they depend on aspects such as the distance between VPN servers, the protocols you are using, or the processing power of your devices.

For example, jumps to geographically close servers each other cause less slowdown, while a jump between servers on different continents can severely penalize your browsing.

However, although there may be changes, all this always ends up translating into The websites and apps you use take longer to loadwhere there is higher ping and latency in your online games, or there are delays or disconnections in video calls or streams. It also reduces the speed of uploading and downloading Internet data, especially when it is heavy.

That is why many VPN services focused on “ordinary” users sometimes settle for just a Double VPN that jumps only between two servers. Thus, privacy and security are doubled, which for most users is enough, while speed and latency do not drop as much.

Why to use and not use multi-hop

We are going to try to simplify it as much as possible for you, and tell you For what things is multi-jump indicated? when browsing and for which others we do not recommend using it.

Why use multi-hop?:

• When you’re worried about being tracked online: If you think your browsing is being monitored, this technique makes it much more difficult to do so.
• Handle classified or highly sensitive data: If you are browsing to access or handle especially sensitive data, multihop will help make the content of this data much more difficult to intercept while you browse. A VPN alone already does this, but if you add more servers the security is multiplied.
• Bypass particularly strong censorship: There are countries that censor the Internet and block access to certain web pages and applications. This technique can help increase the chances of avoiding it.

Why not use multi-hop:

• online games: The more latency you have in your connection, the less real time you play, the longer it takes between moving the mouse or pressing a key and the action happening in the game. Therefore, even if you only use a double jump, the latency will be too high to play smoothly.
• View streaming content: Both the latency and the reduction in connection speed will cause stops and jumps when watching streaming content, especially if it is of high image quality.

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