Doublehop VPN Review
By now, the extent of the online surveillance programs carried out by government agencies and the rise of cyber crime are well-known issues. Internet users who want to protect their privacy have turned to tools such as VPNs, in order to avoid becoming a target for eavesdroppers and fraudsters. VPNs have become highly popular thanks to the strong security they provide and the flexibility that they give you to access online content that is blocked in your location. However, there are still many people who think that VPNs are too complicated for them.
If you are not familiar with VPNs, you may end up feeling more confused when you visit a provider’s website due to the terms they use to refer to the service. Doublehop is a young, cool provider that aims to change the way in which people perceive VPN services. They focus on offering a solution that allows you to enjoy all the benefits of a VPN in a simple, hassle-free way. The website and the image of Doublehop will attract new users who want to protect their privacy effectively and without complications.
Privacy and Security
Encryption is a crucial aspect of the security that a VPN provides. A high level of encryption prevents your personal information from falling into the wrong hands, and ensures that no one else can find out what you do online. Doublehop uses AES-256 encryption with RSA-4096 for key exchange and certificates. This is a strong standard that keeps your identity and your online activities secure. Furthermore, the name of the VPN refers to the fact that you can enhance the protection to your data with double encryption. Your online traffic goes through not just one, but two secure VPN servers and traffic between nodes is multiplexed and it won’t be possible to trace it back to you.
There are different doublehop solutions available that will keep your location and identity disguised. For instance, you can connect to a server in the United States through Netherlands or to a server in Finland, via Canada. This makes it practically impossible for others to trace you. By offering this impressive level of protection, Doublehop stands apart from other providers and is set to become a favorite option for users who want advanced security for their internet traffic. As expected from a service that is designed to appeal to internet users who are passionate about online freedom and privacy, Doublehop doesn’t keep any logs of your online activities or your connection.
When you sign up, you are only asked to provide an email address but you also have the option to use a Telegram Messenger number instead. Your contact details are only used for payment confirmation and important notifications about the service. Since they don’t keep any logs, even if a legal request is received, there is no information that can be handed over. In addition, the provider operates from Seychelles so it is far from the jurisdiction of the likes of the NSA and the GCHQ. A warrant canary is also in place to alert customers in case Doublehop receives a court order forcing it to monitor activities, or if the servers are seized. To boost your anonymity, you can pay using Bitcoin.
Features
When you register for Doublehop, you get the necessary files to configure the service. Although Doublehop doesn’t have its own client, the setting up process is straightforward. While Doublehop has a strong commitment to privacy and security, it is also designed to be an effective solution to bypass restrictions. The service helps you to access content that is not available in your location due to censorship or geographical blocks. You can enjoy freedom to access popular applications and websites and forget about the annoying error messages that tell you that a video or website is not available in your country.
Currently, Doublehop has servers in United States, Netherlands, Canada, Finland and Spain. The selection may seem limited when compared to other providers but the locations covered will allow you to unblock popular content. As previously mentioned, the servers offer double hop configuration. If you connect to a server in the US, you exit via Netherlands and if you connect to Netherlands, you exit via the US. If you connect to Spain, you exit via Canada and the other way around. When you connect to a server in Finland, you exit Canada and vice versa.
Plans
Given that Doublehop’s main purpose is to help users to reclaim their online privacy and remain anonymous online, only Bitcoin is accepted as payment method at the moment. One month of service costs $9 USD, but you get an incredible discount when you choose to pay for a full year in advance. The annual plan costs $33 so the price per month is reduced to less than $3 when you select this option. Bear in mind that Doublehop clearly states in its terms and policies that no refunds are issued. Generally, other providers that accept Bitcoin also state that refunds are not issued when you pay using this cryptocurrency.
Customer Support
The information included on the website covers important aspects about the service, although a set up guides, FAQ or a knowledge base would be welcomed additions. Still, the terms and policies refer to the main details that you need to know. You can contact Doublehop’s support team via email, Telegram or WhatsApp. Generally, they aim to reply within 24 hours but since they are a small company, the responses may take longer sometimes. They are very active on Twitter and post updates on a regular basis so don’t forget to follow them. This will help you to find out if there are any delays to be expected and to catch up with any news about the service.
Conclusion
Doublehop is an appealing solution for the new generations of internet users, who want to enjoy online content without putting their privacy at risk. The provider focuses on helping customers to stay anonymous and protect their privacy. Although it is important to keep in mind that no service can guarantee full protection, Doublehop offers a good set of features designed to add a strong layer of security. Since the company is fairly new, there are still areas in which it can improve, but it is likely that it will address them by adding new servers and maybe its own client in the future. At the moment, it is an alternative that offers a fresh approach to VPNs.