How Benefic Protects Your Privacy
Direct, Peer-to-Peer Connections
Benefic streams media using true peer-to-peer connections powered by WebRTC. Your data travelsdirectly between your devices, not through Benefic’s servers. There is no central relay processing, caching, or inspecting your traffic. We donotuse a TURN server, which, in a typical WebRTC application would relay messages between you and your server if a peer connection failed to be established.
Encryption
All WebRTC sessions are secured withDTLS-SRTP. This provides:
- Authentication between devices
- Integrity protection
- Strong end-to-end encryption for all audio, video, and metadata
Benefic never has access to the encryption keys and cannot decrypt any content.
Zero-Knowledge Architecture
Benefic’s servers act only as a signaling coordinator, helping devices find each other and establish a secure handshake. After that:
- No media routes through Benefic infrastructure
- No logs of file name's, directories, or playback behavior
- No access to media metadata
- No ability to see who is streaming or what they are watching
Benefic simply does not possess the information required to track or profile you.
No Port Forwarding, No Exposed Services
Traditional media servers require port forwarding, public IP exposure, or VPN access. Benefic removes these risks entirely:
- No public ports
- No open internet-facing services
- No inbound firewall rules
- No external attack vectors on your server
Modern Security Standards
Benefic uses proven, industry-standard technologies also used in:
- HIPAA-compliant telehealth platforms
- End-to-end encrypted calling systems
- Real-time communication apps like Discord
You Control Your Data
Your media, library, history, and device connections belong entirely to you. Benefic cannot:
- Scan your files
- Modify your content
- Sell usage data
- Monitor playback behavior
Nothing leaves your environment unless you explicitly choose to share it.
How Benefic Compares to Other Media Servers
Benefic is built on a fundamentally different architecture from alternative media servers. Other platforms require you to port forward, expose your public IP address, or utilize VPN systems for remote access. Benefic removes this complexity by using peer-to-peer technology that enables direct connections between your devices and your server. No middle-ware required!
Benefic vs. Other Media Servers
| Feature / Approach | Benefic | Plex / Emby / Jellyfin |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Access Setup | Automatic peer-to-peer, no configuration needed | Requires port-forwarding, reverse proxies, or VPNs |
| Security Model | End-to-end encrypted WebRTC (DTLS-SRTP) | TLS-protected, but server is usually publicly reachable |
| Where Traffic Flows | Directly between devices (peer-to-peer) | Through your home server as the central hub |
| Exposure to the Internet | None — no open ports, no public-facing services | Typically requires opening ports or cloud relay routing |
| Who Can See Your Media | Zero-knowledge: Benefic cannot view libraries or usage | Server has full visibility (expected in this model) |
| Privacy Posture | Data never leaves your environment | Depends on server settings and cloud features |
| Ease of Setup | Extremely simple — sign in and go | May require router changes or network configuration |
| Streaming Path | Direct device-to-device WebRTC channels | Server acts as the streaming intermediary |
Why Benefic’s Architecture Is Different
Traditional servers route all playback traffic through your home server and depend on external connectivity. Benefic instead uses secure WebRTC channels so your devices connect directly, removing the need to expose your server to the internet. Benefic only assists in the initial handshake and maintains a zero-knowledge posture.
Who Each Approach Is Best For
Beneficis ideal for those who value privacy, security, and simplicity—users who want remote access without opening ports or managing infrastructure.
Plex, Emby, and Jellyfinare excellent choices for users who prefer a traditional client–server setup with extensive customization and plugin ecosystems.