What Is WebRTC Used For? How Does It Leak Your IP Address?

Real-time communication has become a foundational part of the modern web, powering everything from browser-based video calls to online gaming, telemedicine, and customer support. At the center of all this is WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication ), a technology that enables instant audio, video, and data exchange directly in your browser without the need for external plugins.

If you've ever used platforms like Google Meet, Discord, or live chat support, you've relied on WebRTC. However, as WebRTC's usage has grown, so have the concerns around IP exposure, device fingerprinting, and online identity tracking [1].

The Hidden Issue: WebRTC Fingerprinting and IP Exposure

While WebRTC is designed for speed and convenience, its core mechanism for establishing a direct peer-to-peer (P2P) connection unintentionally exposes sensitive device and network details. This is why questions like "Is WebRTC leaking my IP address?" and "Is WebRTC safe for multi-account management?" have become increasingly common.

Let's break down the data WebRTC reveals by default.

What Data WebRTC Reveals

WebRTC was designed to make network routing efficient, not anonymous. To establish a direct connection, your browser must share network details using protocols like STUN (Session Traversal Utilities for NAT) and TURN (Traversal Using Relays around NAT) [2]. This process can reveal:

• Your Public IP Address: The IP address visible to the internet.
• Your Local IP Address: Your device's internal network identity (e.g., 192.168.x.x).
• Your Network Interfaces: Details about your connection (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc.).
• Media Device Identifiers: IDs for your camera and microphone.

When these details are combined with your browser information, OS version, and hardware characteristics, websites can generate a unique and persistent digital fingerprint of your device [3]. This fingerprint can be used to track your activity across different websites and link seemingly separate accounts.

Why WebRTC Reveals IP Addresses

To find the fastest P2P route, browsers exchange internal and external IP addresses via STUN/TURN servers. Fingerprinting scripts exploit this process. Crucially, your IP address may leak even if you never initiate a video call. A simple WebRTC script embedded in a page can silently extract this IP information during the page loading process.

The Two Types of WebRTC Leaks

1. Public IP Leaks: WebRTC can reveal your public IP address even when you are using a VPN or proxy, especially if the VPN/proxy is not configured to fully handle WebRTC traffic. Many VPNs only route regular browser traffic, leaving the WebRTC queries to bypass the secure tunnel. This is a major risk for professionals engaged in multi-account operations, affiliate marketing, or e-commerce management who rely on maintaining separate digital identities.
2. Local IP Leaks: WebRTC also exposes your local network IP. This information is highly valuable for anti-fraud systems and ad networks, as it reveals your internal network structure and can be used to detect "same user, different account" activity, even if the public IP is masked.

How to Prevent WebRTC IP Leaks (Practical Methods)

The most robust and reliable way to prevent WebRTC leaks is by using an anti-detect browser that offers granular control over the WebRTC API.

Use an Anti-Detect Browser with WebRTC Protection (Recommended)

Privacy-centric browsers like Nstbrowser give users full control over WebRTC behavior. This is the most effective method for:

• Multi-account management
• Avoiding fingerprint correlation
• Masking real IP and device information
• Maintaining separate identities safely

Unlike simple browser extensions, Nstbrowser controls WebRTC at the network and environment level, providing far more robust privacy protection.

In the context of professional multi-accounting, using a dedicated tool is essential.

Nstbrowser Advanced WebRTC Protection Modes

Nstbrowser offers multiple WebRTC modes, each designed for specific use cases, ensuring you can balance functionality and privacy.

1. Disable Mode

• Function: Completely disables WebRTC functionality. Instead of blocking the browser API (which websites can detect ), Nstbrowser intercepts the traffic, making it appear as a network restriction.
• Best for: Users who do not require WebRTC functionality and seek maximum privacy.

2. Replace Mode

• Function: WebRTC remains functional, but all IP and fingerprint information is replaced with environment-matched fake data (e.g., consistent with your proxy IP).
• Best for: Avoiding account linkage while maintaining normal WebRTC behavior and providing a realistic fingerprint to anti-fraud systems.

3. Forward Mode

• Function: A stronger version of Replace Mode that forces all WebRTC server requests to go through Google's public WebRTC servers. This prevents websites from using self-hosted STUN servers to detect your true IP.
• Best for: Advanced anti-detection environments, such as those found on major social media or e-commerce platforms.

4. Disable UDP Mode

• Function: This mode keeps essential WebRTC functions available while blocking only the UDP channels used by WebRTC. Since browser proxies typically work over TCP, blocking UDP ensures WebRTC cannot fall back to a direct UDP route that would expose your actual network IP.
• Best for: Users who need real-time features (like video calls) to continue working without revealing their real IP.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the primary function of WebRTC?

A: WebRTC's primary function is to enable real-time communication (audio, video, and data) directly between browsers (peer-to-peer) without the need for intermediary servers or external plugins. This facilitates applications like video conferencing and live streaming.

Q2: Can a VPN or Proxy prevent WebRTC IP leaks?

A: Not always. Many VPNs and proxies only route standard HTTP/HTTPS traffic, allowing WebRTC's STUN/TURN requests to bypass the secure tunnel and reveal your real public and local IP addresses. A dedicated anti-detect browser like Nstbrowser is required to manage and mask WebRTC traffic at a deeper level.

Q3: What is WebRTC fingerprinting?

A: WebRTC fingerprinting is the process where a website uses the network and device information exposed by the WebRTC protocol (such as local IP, network interface details, and media device IDs) to create a unique identifier for your device. This identifier can be used to track you and link your different accounts.

Q4: Which Nstbrowser mode is best for multi-account management?

A: For general multi-account management where you need to maintain separate, realistic digital identities, the Replace Mode is often recommended. It keeps WebRTC functional but replaces your true IP with a fake one consistent with your proxy, making the profile appear legitimate. For maximum security, Disable Mode or Disable UDP Mode can be used depending on whether you need real-time communication features.

Q5: Does Nstbrowser's WebRTC protection slow down my browsing?

A: The impact on browsing speed is minimal. Nstbrowser's protection modes work by intercepting and modifying the data exchange at the browser level, which is a fast process. Any perceived slowdown is more likely related to the speed of the proxy you are using, not the WebRTC protection itself.

References

1. WebRTC Leaks: A Complete Guide
2. Introduction to WebRTC protocols - Web APIs | MDN
3. Browserleaks - Check your browser for privacy leaks
4. The Dangers of WebRTC Leaks and How to Avoid Them
5. Getting started with peer connections - WebRTC Official Site

Useful Links (Nstbrowser )

• Fingerprint Browser: https://www.nstbrowser.io/en/product/fingerprint-browser
• Multi-Account Solution: https://www.nstbrowser.io/en/solution/multi-account
• Privacy & Anonymity Feature: https://www.nstbrowser.io/en/feature/privacy_anonymity
• E-commerce Solution: https://www.nstbrowser.io/en/feature/e_commerce
• Web Scraping Feature: https://www.nstbrowser.io/en/feature/web_scraping