Step-by-step guide to the Anonymous mode

How the Nym mixnet works to protect your traffic

13 mins read
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Traditional Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), despite their name, do not actually protect our privacy. With advancements in metadata collection, traffic analysis, and AI tracking and surveillance, this goes for even well-reputed VPN services, no matter what they promise. What is needed is the next generation of VPN technology capable of defending privacy through innovative network design.

This is where NymVPN comes in. What makes the app different from other VPNs on the market today is its integration of “mixnet” (or mix network) technology to power the app’s Anonymous mode. But what happens behind the screen when you select the Anonymous rather than Fast Mode?

In this guide, Nym will walk you through step by step how your data is handled and routed through the mixnet when you toggle on the Anonymous Mode in NymVPN.

Definitions

First, let’s clarify some definitions.

Nym's Noise Generating Mixnet

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NymVPN Anonymous mode: FAQs

Traffic goes through eight steps: packet prep, layered encryption (Sphinx), cover traffic injection, entry gateway, routing through three mix layers, exit gateway, delivery, and return routing—all delayed and randomized.

Cover traffic packets are indistinguishable from real packets and injected to mask timing and volume patterns, making traffic analysis far more difficult.

The Anonymous mode defends against global passive adversaries interception, traffic correlation, and AI-based pattern detection.

Currently, Anonymous Mode uses a 5-hop mixnet path. Custom hop counts (like 3-hop hybrids) aren’t user-configurable yet.

Expect slower speeds and variable latency as routing includes randomized waits and cover traffic—but in exchange, you gain strong metadata resistance.

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