WebRTC Leaks May Reveal User IP Address Even with VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is one of the best ways to maintain online privacy. A VPN protects a user's identity by hiding their real IP address and showing websites and online services the VPN's IP address instead. Some users use VPNs to hide their real location and access geographically restricted online services.
But even with the security promised by VPNs, there’s always the possibility of an IP address leak. Certain online transactions and connections can cause an IP address leak and expose users to attacks.
Knowing More About WebRTC
Online communication used to be limited to simple chat rooms and sending emails. Today, video calls, file sharing, and voice chat are really easy because they can be done through browsers without additional extensions or applications thanks to Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC).
According to WebRTC.org, the technology “supports video, voice, and generic data to be sent between peers, allowing developers to build powerful voice- and video-communication solutions. The technology is available on all modern browsers as well as on native clients for all major platforms.”
The WebRTC Leak Problem
WebRTC can also create security concerns for some users, especially those using VPNs. For WebRTC to work, it will require an IP address to establish a connection. Normally, the VPN should provide the IP address instead of the user’s real information.
However, WebRTC talks directly to the device’s operating system. This connection can bypass the VPN, allowing WebRTC to connect using the user's real IP address.
A VPN may still hide a user's IP address during a WebRTC connection. However, users may not be notified of an IP address leak because VPNs are not always designed to detect or report WebRTC leaks.
Checking and Addressing WebRTC Leak
Fortunately, checking for a WebRTC leak is relatively simple. The following are websites users can visit to check for leaks:
First, visit the website without activating the VPN. Note the IP address indicated in the browser. Turn on the VPN service, and refresh the browser. If the IP address is the same, there is a WebRTC leak.
Checking for WebRTC is the easy part. Addressing the problem may require more than just a website.
Brave, Firefox, and Safari can be configured to prevent WebRTC connections through their settings. The configuration varies by browser and is often found in the advanced privacy settings.
Chrome and Edge users can configure WebRTC security using browser extensions. WebRTC Leak Prevent or WebRTC Limiter are some of the most popular extensions for limiting WebRTC leaks. It’s also important to check the browser extension and/or settings again after every update because the browser might reset the security settings.
Also, a note: disabling WebRTC may prevent video calls, file sharing, and other browser-based features from working.
A good VPN helps in maintaining online privacy. However, browser technologies such as WebRTC can pose a security risk because they may bypass VPN tunnels. Check for IP address leaks regularly to keep your connection private.
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