We’ve all heard the benefits of using a VPN to access geo-blocked content and to add an extra layer of privacy and security for when you are using public WiFi hotspots.
But are we afforded even more security online if we use two VPNs at the same time?
Are Two VPNs Better Than One?
If set up correctly to alternate between TCP and UDP ports, two VPNs running at once may offer you slightly better protection online.
If running correctly, two VPN connections will reduce your risk of being targeted by a traffic correlation attack (when an attacker observes both ends of the communication channel and tries to uncover patterns in your traffic to identify your data).
However, in most cases using two VPNs simultaneously is not going to offer you enough additional security extra security to justify the potential complications that can arise.
In fact, you may even be putting yourself at risk by using two services instead of one.
When you use a VPN, your online activity is routed through an encrypted tunnel between you and the VPN provider.
All of your data is hidden from prying eyes as it travels to the website or service that you’re connecting to.
If you’re using a second VPN, then this second connection can potentially interfere with the first and cause it to expose your information.
If you don’t know how to set them up so that they can run independently, the two VPNs’ advertised sets of addresses may overlap with one another.
This could cause one VPN to receive packets that were intended for the other resulting in potential data leaks, one of your VPNs suddenly disconnecting and other unexpected issues.
So running two VPN clients at the same is not recommended because of the potential trouble it can cause, the unexpected and hard-to-diagnose failures it can result in, and the potential data leaks that can come as a result.
Running two VPNs at the same time is also going to considerably slow down your connection.
This is because you’ll be using up more of your bandwidth as each VPN connection will need its own share.
If you’re looking for an extra layer of privacy and security, then it’s better to use a single VPN service that you trust rather than trying to juggle two different providers.
What Can I Do Instead Of Running Two VPNs At The Same Time?
If you are worried that a standard VPN connection isn’t secure enough you could use a VPN service that offers additional protection.
One such feature is Secure Core, which is offered by ProtonVPN.
Secure Core routes your traffic through multiple servers before it leaves the VPN network.
This helps to protect your data from being monitored or tampered with by third-party actors.
Another option is to use a Tor browser which is a free and open-source web browser that can be used to anonymize your online activity.
Tor provides you with a higher level of security and privacy than a standard VPN by routing your traffic through a series of relays before it reaches its destination.
This makes it much harder for anyone to track your activity or identify you.
Whichever option you choose, using two VPNs at the same time is not the best way to go about getting more security and privacy online. It’s much better to use a single service that you trust or to use a combination of a VPN and Tor together.
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Are There Any Situations Where You Might Need To Use Multiple VPNs At The Same Time?
If you were a freelance IT consultant working on multiple projects with different companies at the same time, you may need to use a number of VPNs to securely connect to each company system.
This helps to protect your data from being intercepted or changed by malicious actors as it travels between the VPNs and the companies’ systems.
Another example of when you might want to use two VPNs or two instances of a VPN service is if you were working with a local area network that used split tunneling.
Split-tunneling enables the administrator of the network to route some apps or programs through the VPN while allowing others to go through your normal internet connection.
If you’re not familiar with this feature, then it may be worth looking into further. You can find out more by checking out the documentation that came with your router or VPN software.
in conclusion, unless you really know what you’re doing, using multiple VPNs at the same time can be a potential security and privacy nightmare.
It’s much better to use a single service that you trust or to use a combination of a VPN and Tor together.
