How to Verify the Transfer is Encrypted?

InstDrop uses WebRTC technology, which automatically encrypts all data using DTLS and SRTP protocols. Here's how you can verify it yourself.

What is WebRTC Encryption?

WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) is a modern web technology that enables peer-to-peer communication directly between two devices.

All data transmitted via WebRTC is automatically encrypted using:

  • DTLS: DTLS (Datagram Transport Layer Security) – encryption for connection establishment
  • SRTP: SRTP (Secure Real-time Transport Protocol) – encryption for data transfer

This means that neither the server operator nor anyone on the network can read the contents of your files.

Method 1: Network Tab

Proof of P2P transfer in Developer Tools (any browser):

  1. 1 Press F12 to open Developer Tools
  2. 2 Go to the „Network“ tab and filter by „WS“
  3. 3

    You'll see only one WebSocket connection:

    wss://instdrop-production.up.railway.app/ws
  4. 4 This connection is only for signaling (a few small messages). All file transfer goes directly P2P via WebRTC – you won't see it in Network tab because it doesn't go through the server.

Method 2: chrome://webrtc-internals

Detailed view of encryption in Chrome or Edge:

  1. 1 Create a connection in InstDrop (start a transfer)
  2. 2

    Open in a new tab:

    chrome://webrtc-internals
  3. 3 Find your active connection in the list (RTCPeerConnection)
  4. 4

    Check these key details:

    • dtlsState: connected – confirms active DTLS encryption
    • dtlsCipher – shows the encryption algorithm (e.g., AES_128_GCM)
    • srtpCipher – encryption for data (e.g., AES_CM_128_HMAC_SHA1_80)

Verifying No Data Storage

How to verify that your files don't go through the server:

Open the Network tab in Developer Tools (F12) and monitor traffic while sending files or texts. You won't see any data transfer – only WebSocket messages for signaling. Your files never pass through the server.

What the server stores:

  • Channel ID + secret (for authentication)
  • WebSocket connections between peers
  • Channel creation time (for automatic deletion after 1 hour)

What the server DOES NOT store:

  • No files or their contents
  • No text messages
  • No file metadata (names, sizes)

Important Information

This verification only works during an active connection. After disconnection, encryption information is no longer available.

WebRTC encryption is integrated directly into the browser and works automatically. It cannot be disabled or bypassed.

For highest security, always use the latest browser version and connect via HTTPS.

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