CyberGhost VPN: Double VPN Setup Guide For Android
CyberGhost VPN: Double VPN Setup Guide For Android
CyberGhost's Double VPN feature, also known as multi-hop VPN, routes your internet traffic through two separate VPN servers instead of just one. This provides an additional layer of encryption and obfuscation, making it significantly harder to trace your online activity back to your original IP address. On Android, while there isn't a dedicated "Double VPN" button like on the desktop client, you can achieve the same effect through manual configuration using OpenVPN and a bit of networking knowledge.
This setup requires two VPN configurations using the OpenVPN protocol. First, you need to download OpenVPN Connect from the Google Play Store. Next, obtain OpenVPN configuration files (.ovpn) from CyberGhost for two different server locations. You can typically find these files in your CyberGhost account dashboard or by contacting their support.
Import the First VPN Configuration: Open OpenVPN Connect and import the first .ovpn file. Enter your CyberGhost username and password when prompted. Connect to this first VPN server. Note the assigned IP address; you can verify this using a browser and a site like ipinfo.io.
Import the Second VPN Configuration: Import the second .ovpn file into OpenVPN Connect. Before connecting, edit the configuration file. Open the .ovpn file in a text editor and add the following line: route-nopull. This prevents the second VPN from overriding the routing table established by the first VPN connection.
Connect to the Second VPN Server: Connect to the second VPN server. Your traffic will now be routed through the first CyberGhost server, then through the second, before reaching its destination.
The route-nopull directive is crucial. Without it, the second VPN connection will attempt to become the default gateway, effectively bypassing the first VPN. DNS leaks are a potential concern. While CyberGhost typically handles DNS resolution, it's wise to manually configure DNS servers on your Android device to use a privacy-focused provider like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1) or Quad9 (9.9.9.9, 149.112.112.112). You can do this within your Android's Wi-Fi settings (long-press on your connected network, modify network, show advanced options, IP settings: static, DNS 1/DNS 2). Note that for cellular connections, you may need a separate app to configure DNS.
Verify your Double VPN setup by visiting ipinfo.io or similar IP address lookup services. You should see the IP address of the second VPN server. A traceroute (using an app like "Ping & Net Tool") will confirm that your traffic is indeed passing through two distinct hops. The performance impact of Double VPN is significant. Expect a substantial reduction in speed due to the increased latency and overhead of two encryption layers. Test different server combinations to find the best balance between security and speed.
Configuration Errors: Ensure the .ovpn files are correctly configured and that route-nopull is present in the second VPN's configuration. Typos are a common issue.
Connection Stability: Double VPN connections can be less stable than single VPN connections. If you experience frequent disconnects, try different server locations or switch to TCP protocol in the .ovpn files (add proto tcp to each configuration file).
IP Leaks: Regularly check for IP leaks using online tools. If leaks are detected, review your configuration and consider using a different VPN provider or DNS server.
Android Updates: Android updates can sometimes interfere with VPN connections. If you encounter issues after an update, try reinstalling OpenVPN Connect and re-importing the configuration files.