What Is WebRTC?
WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) is a browser feature that enables video calls, voice chat, and peer-to-peer file sharing directly in your browser without plugins. It's used by services like Google Meet, Discord, and Zoom web.
How WebRTC Leaks Your IP
WebRTC uses STUN (Session Traversal Utilities for NAT) requests to discover your public IP for peer-to-peer connections. These requests bypass your proxy or VPN settings, revealing your real IP address to any website that triggers a STUN request.
Which Browsers Are Affected
Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera all have WebRTC enabled by default. Safari has it enabled but with stricter controls. Any browser with WebRTC can potentially leak your IP unless you take steps to disable or restrict it.
How to Prevent WebRTC Leaks
In Firefox: go to about:config, set media.peerconnection.enabled to false. In Chrome: install the WebRTC Leak Prevent extension. For comprehensive protection, use the WebRTC Leak Test to verify your settings work.
Why Proxies Don't Fully Block WebRTC
WebRTC operates at the browser level, not the network level. Most web proxies only handle HTTP traffic and cannot intercept WebRTC's STUN requests. This is why combining a proxy with WebRTC-blocking measures is important for complete privacy.