WebRTC is short for Web Real-Time Communication, an application programming interface that supports voice calling, video chat, and P2P file sharing apps without the need for extra plugins. It uses the STUN (Session Traversal Utilities for NAT) protocol, which in turn is responsible for making IP addresses visible while online.
As it is widely known, IP addresses are visible for any website, allowing services to check whether the user is located outside the area from which that same service is accessible. But when using a VPN or proxy, it’s important that they work flawlessly so that real IP addresses can’t be detected – even for a glimpse.
WebRTC leaks occur in browsers – particularly in Firefox and Chrome for Windows – due to the way Windows behaves when sending data packets. An unpleasant consequence of this is that from time to time the request sent to the STUN server leaks outside the VPN, exposing the real IP address in JavaScript.
There are some differences, though. If VPNs are used to circumvent the geographical restriction of a YouTube video, for instance, there is nothing to be afraid of – the video would simply stop loading. However, if you’re torrenting, just a couple of seconds of unprotected activity is enough to get you in some serious trouble, often leading to legal consequences. Additionally, certain websites implement a WebRTC JavaScript code into the web browser, which can be used by wrongdoers to collect information about you, steal your identity and track your online activity.
The best way to test and check if the browser suffers from any WebRTC leak is heading to BrowserLeaks.com’s WebRTC tool. The tool displays various things about your connection: local and public IP addresses, IPv6 address and the WebRTC media devices enabled in the browser.
However, it’s best to turn on the VPN first before visiting the site: if you see your real IP address, along with your correct physical location – despite an active VPN – it’s safe to assume that your browser has WebRTC leaks. But if the IP address and location on this testing site are the same as they appear for the selected VPN server in your VPN client, then there are no leaks.
The good news regarding WebRTC leaks is that they can be solved easily. Browser updates arrive on a regular basis, so it is very likely that both Firefox and Chrome have fixed this issue by the time it occurs. However, there might be occasions when a simple update is not enough, meaning that additional methods should be applied. One such method is the handy proxy extension for Chrome provided by NordVPN, a company known for its remarkable security features, like in-built double encryption. With this browser add-on’s proxy turned on, you can be sure that the WebRTC leaks are taken care of in a jiffy.
Enabling WebRTC protection in Firefox is trickier, but it’s not impossible. By typing “about:config” into the URL bar and hitting enter you are taken to a gigantic list of configuration settings. Scroll down until you find “media.peerconnection.enabled” that, by default, is set to “true”. Set it to “false” by double clicking on it and voila, no more leaks. However, be careful not to alter any other configuration by accident as it may result in a browser that won’t work properly.
In the case of Google Chrome, there is another option aside from the proxy extension by NordVPN we mentioned earlier: an extension called WebRTC Network Limiter. By installing this add-on, it enables WebRTC protection automatically by blocking an option in Chrome’s settings regarding multiple routes. Additionally, it completely prevents certain IP addresses from using WebRTC, decreasing chances of a leak. But, since WebRTC leaks happen in JavaScript, it is also possible to prevent them by turning off this feature. To do so, access Settings -> Advanced Settings -> Privacy -> Content Settings -> JavaScript in Google Chrome.
Once either of these aforementioned solutions is implemented, revisit BrowserLeaks.com with your VPN turned on and check if the problem was indeed solved. But regardless of the browser, always make sure that the VPN you’re using offers top security features, particularly a kill switch – a feature that stops all internet connections the moment the tiniest leak is detected. This way it’s guaranteed that internet connections remain private and anonymous.
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