What is Peer-to-Peer (P2P) File Sharing?
Imagine you want to hand your friend a USB drive. You don't mail it to a warehouse first, then have them pick it up later. You just hand it directly to them. That's peer-to-peer file sharing – except through the internet.
BurritoShare uses WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) technology to create a direct connection between your browser and your recipient's browser. Your files travel the shortest possible path, encrypted end-to-end, without ever touching our servers.
Traditional File Sharing vs BurritoShare P2P
Files are uploaded to company servers, stored temporarily, then downloaded by recipients. This creates privacy risks and introduces delays.
Files transfer directly between browsers using encrypted peer-to-peer connections. No intermediate servers, no storage, maximum privacy.
How WebRTC Makes This Possible
WebRTC is a powerful technology built into modern web browsers that enables real-time communication. While it's commonly used for video calls, BurritoShare leverages its data channel capabilities for file transfers.
The Technical Magic Behind BurritoShare
Here's what happens when you share a file:
Create Bundle
You select your file and we generate a unique link containing encrypted connection details
Signal Exchange
Both browsers connect to our signaling server to exchange connection information
P2P Connection
Browsers establish direct connection using WebRTC technology
File Transfer
Your file streams directly to the recipient with end-to-end encryption
The Technical Details (For the Curious)
WebRTC Peer Connection
When you create a share link, BurritoShare sets up an RTCPeerConnection – think of it as a private tunnel between two browsers. This connection uses:
- STUN Servers: Help browsers discover their public IP addresses
- ICE Candidates: Multiple potential connection paths to ensure the best route
- DTLS Encryption: Military-grade encryption for all data transferred
Signaling Process
Before two browsers can connect directly, they need to exchange some information. This is where our minimal signaling server comes in.
- Offer/Answer Exchange: Browsers negotiate connection capabilities
- ICE Candidate Exchange: Finding the best network path
- Connection Establishment: Direct P2P link is created
File Transfer Optimization
BurritoShare implements several optimizations for smooth file transfers:
// Simplified example of how we create a peer connection
const peerConnection = new RTCPeerConnection({
iceServers: [{ urls: 'stun:stun.l.google.com:19302' }]
});
// Create a data channel for file transfer
const dataChannel = peerConnection.createDataChannel('fileTransfer', {
ordered: true // Ensure chunks arrive in order
});Important:
The signaling server only exchanges connection information (like "I'm at IP address X, you can reach me through port Y"). It never sees your actual files.
Privacy & Security Benefits
Zero Knowledge Architecture
Your files never touch our servers. We only facilitate the connection between you and your recipient.
End-to-End Encryption
All data is encrypted before it leaves your browser and only decrypted when it reaches the recipient.
No Data Retention
Zero retention policy - files transfer directly without any intermediate storage.
Minimal Metadata
We only collect bundle name and size - no tracking, no analytics, no personal data.
Common Questions About P2P
Absolutely! P2P is just a technology for direct communication. It's like asking if phones are legal – the technology itself is perfectly legal, it's what you do with it that matters. BurritoShare is designed for legitimate file sharing between consenting parties.
Since files transfer directly between browsers without server storage, both the sender and receiver need to be online – just like a phone call. This is the trade-off for absolute privacy and no file size limits.
WebRTC includes sophisticated NAT traversal techniques. Using STUN servers and ICE candidates, it can establish connections even through corporate firewalls and home routers. In rare cases where direct connection isn't possible, the transfer won't work – but your privacy is never compromised.
The Future of File Sharing
BurritoShare represents a return to the internet's original vision: direct, decentralized communication. By leveraging modern browser technologies, we're making file sharing:
Faster
Direct routes mean quicker transfers
More Private
Your data stays yours
Unlimited
No artificial size restrictions
Free
No server costs means no fees for users
Try it yourself!
Next time you need to share a large file, experience the difference of true P2P transfer.
Learn More
Interested in diving deeper into the technology?
🌐 WebRTC Official Documentation ↗
Learn more about the WebRTC technology that powers BurritoShare
📖 How BurritoShare Works
User-friendly guide to using BurritoShare for file sharing
🔒 Security & Privacy Details
Comprehensive overview of our security and privacy measures
💻 View Our Open Source Code ↗
Explore the code that makes BurritoShare possible