Obfuscated Servers Explained: Should You Use Them for Privacy?

The simplest explanation of an obfuscated VPN server is that it hides the fact that you are using a VPN by changing the encryption of your traffic. It converts your VPN traffic to usual internet traffic using HTTPS and SSL/SSH.

Using an obfuscated VPN server can increase your chances of being anonymous, having privacy, etc., from ISPs, and being subject to government surveillance. However, the biggest advantage of using it is that you can bypass firewalls set by governments and access websites and social media in countries with strict VPN laws and firewalls.

This article will highlight everything you need to know about obfuscated VPN servers, how they work, when to use them, how effective they are, and which VPNs offer them.

What is an Obfuscated VPN server?

An Obfuscated VPN server is a special technology that adds an additional layer of privacy over your internet traffic by hiding the fact that you are using a VPN. A VPN hides your IP address and lets you access restricted websites and applications.

But the ISPs, government surveillance agencies, and your network administrator will know that you are using a VPN. However, they can’t see what you are doing online, but they will have an idea that you are using a VPN because popular VPN protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN encrypt data in specific markers.

This can be dangerous in countries or places where using a VPN is illegal, and you can go to jail or face heavy fines. This is where an obfuscated VPN server comes into play by changing your encrypted traffic to regular internet traffic.

Your ISP or government won’t be able to detect that you’re using a VPN, even with sophisticated Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) technology. However, it’s worth noting that your traffic could potentially be identified if they manually inspect your data packets.

Limited VPNs offer obfuscated servers and reduce your internet speed. This is because your traffic is double-encrypted before hitting the internet. To give you a clear picture, here are the pros and cons of an Obfuscated VPN server.

Why should you use an Obfucsated server?

As I have explained, an obfuscated VPN server adds an additional layer of security over your VPN traffic and changes it to look like normal internet traffic.

Even though your ISP won’t be able to find out which websites you are opening, they can still detect that you are using a VPN, which can get you in trouble if you reside in countries like China, Iran, Russia, etc.

To counter that, some VPN providers offer obfuscated VPN servers for VPN users involved in activism, journalism, or torrenting.

I recommend testing your VPN before accessing illegal or banned websites and applications. Sometimes, even obfuscated VPN servers may fail, potentially putting your online privacy at risk. Additionally, always use a VPN with a kill switch feature to ensure there is no data leakage if your VPN is not working.

When to use VPN Obfuscation?

You don’t need an obfuscated VPN server for regular internet usage. If you are a normal internet user who wants to access restricted websites or stream a movie on Netflix or Hulu and for this purpose you are using a VPN, don’t use the obfuscated servers and protocols.

However, if you are a journalist reporting against a government, then yes! You should definitely secure your IP address and traffic with an obfuscated VPN server. Here are three top reasons I have used obfuscated VPN servers in the past:

1. Increase privacy and security
2. Bypass online censorship
3. Torrenting

Here is a detailed guide on the best VPN servers for privacy, security, and streaming.

When not to use obfuscated servers?

Again, if you are a regular internet user, this technology is not for you. Here are a few reasons why I advise against using obfuscated servers:

1. It will further decrease your internet speed
2. You won’t be able to enjoy flawless streaming or gaming
3. If you have a cheap VPN subscription
4. If your internet speed is already slow

When you enable a VPN on your device, your internet speed is negatively affected. This is because your traffic is now going through the secure VPN tunnel and will reach the VPN server first before hitting the website you requested.

An obfuscated server will add another layer of security and encryption, further degrading your internet speed. I don’t recommend using these servers to stream Netflix or play online games. Here is a guide to speed up your internet for optimum streaming and a lower ping rate for the best gaming experience.

How do obfuscated servers work?

An obfuscated server adds an additional layer of encryption to your traffic, removing VPN metadata from the data packet. This is the basic functionality of how an obfuscated hides your VPN traffic from detection by making it normal ‘HTTPS’ traffic.

To hide your VPN traffic, obfuscated server/protocol uses different techniques and encryption modules to achieve two things:

• Modify the data to change its byte patterns, ensuring the connection no longer appears like a typical VPN.
• Direct the connection through standard ports commonly used for everyday activities.

To add another layer of security, different VPN providers use different techniques like Obfsproxy, Shadowsocks, SSL tunnel, etc, which will be discussed later in this article.

Which VPNs offer obfuscated servers?

Here is the list of premium VPN providers that offer obfuscation and have been tested by me:

• NordVPN — Great
• ExpressVPN — Best
• Surfshark
• Private Internet Access

How to connect to an obfuscated server?

Different VPNs offer obfuscated servers to hide that you are using a VPN, and the process of enabling it is different because some VPNs provide obfuscated servers, while others rely on obfuscated protocols and technology.

Here are some examples of popular VPNs and how to enable obfuscation:

• ExpressVPN: Offers built-in obfuscation with OpenVPN protocol.
• NordVPN: Obfuscated servers are available in the list of special servers.
• Private Internet Access: Change the protocol to OpenVPN. Then, in the settings, activate Multi-Hop and Obfuscation, and enable Shadowsocks.
• Surfshark: Camouflage mode is enabled automatically when you are using OpenVPN protocol.

What technology is used for obfuscation?

I have already mentioned above that VPNs employ many techniques to hide your traffic with double encryption. Some use dedicated obfuscation VPN servers, while others have proprietary obfuscation technology.

Here is a brief explanation of how obfuscation technology works to change your VPN traffic to normal traffic:

In which countries is it advisable to use a VPN with obfuscation?

It depends on where you reside or are traveling to. Using a VPN with obfuscation is a good idea if the country you live in has a high level of censorship, monitors internet traffic, and blocks websites and apps.

Here are countries with censorship and highly regulated VPNs:

1. China: Known for its extensive ‘Great Firewall,’ which blocks access to many foreign websites, including social media and news platforms. Online activity is heavily monitored, requiring advanced obfuscation methods to bypass restrictions.
2. North Korea: Internet access is extremely limited and tightly controlled, with most citizens having no access to the global web. Severe consequences exist for attempting to bypass government censorship.
3. Russia: Increasingly strict internet regulations, including the blocking of independent news platforms and certain websites. The government also monitors VPN usage, making obfuscation essential.
4. Iran: Implements strict censorship policies, blocking social media and foreign news sites. Authorities actively work to suppress attempts to bypass these controls, making obfuscated VPNs critical for online privacy.
5. UAE: Restrictions include censorship of political content and VoIP services like Skype and WhatsApp. VPN usage for such services is common but must be discreet.
6. Vietnam: Blocks websites that host politically sensitive content and enforce strict regulations on platforms critical of the government.
7. Saudi Arabia: Restricts access to VoIP services, certain social media platforms, and websites containing politically sensitive material. VPNs with obfuscation are often used to bypass these limitations.
8. Turkey: Frequently blocks social media platforms and imposes restrictions on online content, particularly during periods of political unrest.
9. Pakistan: Engages in widespread censorship targeting content deemed blasphemous or anti-state. Accessing blocked websites without detection requires obfuscated VPNs.
10. Belarus: The government exercises strong control over the internet, blocking politically sensitive content and independent news platforms.
11. Syria: The Internet is heavily monitored and censored, with severe repercussions for accessing politically critical or sensitive content.
12. Egypt: Blocks news websites and platforms with political content, especially during times of civil unrest.
13. Turkmenistan: Severely restricts internet access, allowing only heavily monitored government-controlled connections. Foreign websites are mostly inaccessible without a VPN.

These are the countries where freedom of speech is restricted, and a VPN is recommended to voice your thoughts. I have created a blog on countries where VPNs are banned or heavily regulated, which you should read.

Final thoughts on using an obfuscation VPN server

Using an obfuscated VPN server is not a choice but a necessity for people living in countries with highly regulated internet. I strongly advice VPN users in China, Russia, and North Korea to use these servers to access restricted websites and social media.

Last year, I went to Dubai (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. Surprisingly, WhatsApp is banned there, and I used ExpressVPN (OpenVPN with obfuscation) to use it and contact my family. I don’t know the reason for this ban since Skype and imo both worked without a VPN.

Lastly, obfuscation is not ideal for activities like streaming, gaming, or torrenting. Governments are unlikely to care if you unlock another country’s Netflix library or watch a TV show on Hulu from outside the US. However, since torrenting is illegal in many countries, you should exercise caution when downloading movies or other content using P2P technology.