Not every user of a computer or mobile device with extensive knowledge in setting up web browsers knows that in almost all recent developments, among the many options and tools activated in browsers by default, there is such a component as WebRTC. How to disable it as unnecessary? Next, we'll figure it out. But first, let's briefly consider what kind of technology it is, why it is needed, and is it really necessary to deactivate this element.
What is WebRTC and how appropriate is it to use this toolkit in browsers?
The WebRTC module in any browser is a special extension that is designed to quickly organize communication sessions between several subscribers directly through the browser interface without the need to install additional programs.
In other words, for video conferencing or voice chat, it’s enough to have just some browser, and you do not need to install the same Skype at all. The technology itself has many advantages, the most important of which can be called high quality communications and ease of management. Along with this, alas, there were some significant drawbacks related to the inability to protect the user or his data stored on the computer. The problem is that when you activate communication through the browser using the WebRTC module, data processing and reception / transmission of streams is carried out exclusively by the browser, which, in turn, only leads to the fact that the external IP address of the user terminal becomes open. An attacker who intercepts data on an external IP can just take advantage of it for unauthorized entry into the system, introduce viruses, spyware, keyloggers, etc., not to mention the destruction of important files or theft of confidential information.
In general, sometimes the functioning of this module is very often compared with the similar peer-to-peer (P2P) technology used when working with torrent content. Yes, indeed, in a sense, there is a similarity, and this is especially evident in the fact that the user IP is revealed, and without any possibility of concealment, unless additional means are used.
Thus, unless you absolutely need to use this technology, it is advisable to deactivate the module. But how to disable WebRTC? In principle, for almost all known browsers, actions to deactivate an unnecessary extension are generally similar. Consider several popular browsers, on the example of which all the necessary actions will be shown.
How to disable WebRTC in Chrome?
To get started, let's focus on the popular browser from Google, which is actively used by both stationary and mobile operating systems. How to disable WebRTC in this browser? Since the WebRTC module is active by default, but is hidden from the user's eyes in the settings, to deactivate it, you need to use the main menu, go to the advanced settings section and get to viewing the extensions.
Next, through the search bar, you need to search for the WebRTC Control extension, and then install it. Upon completion of the installation, a special icon will appear on the top panel, by clicking on which the extension should be activated, and the described module will be switched off.
How to disable WebRTC in Firefox?
In this browser, the actions are somewhat different from the above, although you can also use the installation of an additional plugin. But disabling WebRTC in Mozilla Firefox without installing the extension is very simple.
To perform the necessary actions, you first need to write about: config in the address bar, then enter media.peerconnection.enable in the search field, call the context menu on the result via RMB, and then click on the switch item. In the status status, true should change to false, which will indicate the deactivation of an unnecessary module.
Disabling WebRTC in Opera
Speaking about how to disable WebRTC in the Opera browser, it’s worth noting immediately that among all the well-known browsers, Opera allows you to perform such actions most simply.
First, through the main menu, called by the button with the browser logo in the upper left corner, you need to call up the settings, then specify the search by the module name (WebRTC), and in the results activate the disconnect string for non-UDP.
WebRTC deactivation in the Yandex browser
In Yandex, disabling WebRTC is also easy. In principle, most experts recommend using a universal solution and refer to the add-ons section, and then install the same WebRTC Control module. By and large, no more action will be required.
Epilogue
As you can already see, for almost all browsers, you can apply the unified WebRTC tool deactivation technology. But doing such things is not always advisable. But what if your browser does not use this channel at all and does not transmit any data? Indeed, before proceeding with the deactivation of the module, it would be logical to find out if it is currently active.
To run the test, you can use the ExpressVPN resource on the Internet, which immediately after entering recognizes whether data is being sent from your PC and whether reverse reception is activated. Sometimes you can get a generally unexpected result, in which it will be reported that your version of the installed browser does not support WebRTC technology at all. In this case, no manipulations related to disconnecting the module will have to be applied even more so.
However, if the problem is only hiding the real IP address, you can bypass it quite simply by installing or enabling additional extensions in the form of VPN clients directly in the browser. If you do not like this option, you can install programs to change the IP of the general action. For example, the SafeIP utility changes the external address of a computer not only for the browser, but also for all other installed applications or even system components that can access the Internet in the background during operation. At the same time, you can use the communication module without problems, and hide your real address not only from the interlocutor, but also from prying eyes.