Discovering a WebRTC leak test flags an issue often triggers an immediate urge to disable WebRTC entirely. Worth pausing first — diagnosing exactly what's happening usually points to a narrower, less disruptive fix.
Step 1: confirm what address is actually exposed
Run NetRiskScan's WebRTC Leak Test and compare the flagged address against your VPN's exit IP and your real, unprotected IP (if you know it). If the flagged address matches your VPN's exit — not your real address — there's no actual leak; the tool may simply be showing an address you already expected.
Step 2: check whether it's your real IP specifically
If the exposed address matches your actual, non-VPN address rather than the VPN's exit, that confirms a genuine bypass — your VPN's tunnel isn't covering WebRTC's address-discovery traffic.
Step 3: check your VPN client for a specific WebRTC protection setting
Many VPN clients now include a dedicated WebRTC leak protection toggle specifically because this is a known, common issue — checking for this setting first is less disruptive than disabling browser functionality entirely.
Step 4: consider a browser-level or extension-level fix
If your VPN client doesn't offer WebRTC protection, a privacy-focused browser extension that restricts WebRTC's candidate gathering, or a browser's own built-in WebRTC privacy setting (where available), is a more targeted fix than fully disabling a feature you might still want for legitimate video calls.
Why "just disable WebRTC" is the last resort, not the first step
WebRTC powers real functionality — browser-based video calls, voice chat — that fully disabling breaks. Diagnosing the actual cause first, and applying the narrowest effective fix, preserves that functionality while still closing the specific leak.
FAQ
Should I re-test after every VPN client update?
Yes — updates can silently change default WebRTC-handling behavior, so a previously-fixed leak is worth periodically reconfirming.