The Dangers of WebRTC Leaks and How to Avoid Them

Leaks involving WebRTC, or Web Real-Time Communication technology, have become increasingly common as web browsers rely on its functions to facilitate audio, video and data communication.

As indispensable as it is in today’s climate, this technology also has a few caveats, most significantly involving private information leaks.

Here's what you need to know about the dangers of WebRTC leaks and how to avoid them.

What are WebRTC Leaks?

WebRTC leaks occur when a web browser inadvertently exposes users’ IP addresses. Personally identifiable information such as IP addresses, DNS requests and IP-based geolocations can be used to track an individual’s online activity.

Even worse, leaks sometimes expose users’ identities even if they’re using anonymization services.

If online privacy isn’t your primary concern while browsing the Internet, exposing your IP address may seem innocuous. However, it could lead to unpleasant situations.

Why Are WebRTC Leaks Dangerous?

WebRTC leaks can jeopardize user privacy in the following scenarios:

• Exposed IP addresses could allow hackers to uncover additional sensitive information about their targets, such as their online activities and geolocation
• Leaks allow sites and online services to identify and track users even if they have taken steps to anonymize themselves by using a VPN, Tor, proxies or similar services
• Exposes users vulnerable to certain threats, such as man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, denial of service (DoS) or distributed denial of service (DDoS), or traffic interception

How Can You Avoid WebRTC Leaks?

Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself from WebRTC leaks:

• Use a trustworthy VPN provider – Look for features such as an “Always On” option that ensures your connection is always protected, even when you change networks or connect through Wi-Fi hotspots. Reliable providers like Bitdefender VPN can protect your privacy against all kinds of data leaks.
• Disable your browser’s web real-time communication feature (WebRTC) – Many browsers allow users to turn off this feature altogether; however, this may impede access to certain websites or services that require it for communication.
• Scan for leaks regularly – Use dedicated tools to identify potential issues with your current configuration and act accordingly if needed.
• Install anti-malware/anti-virus software– Certain malware strains can intercept your traffic and even redirect it; specialized security software such as Bitdefender Ultimate Security can prevent these threats from taking hold in the first place by blocking malicious downloads. Although this won’t help you avoid WebRTC leaks, it can help you mitigate damage in case your data has been exposed.