A File Sharing System Utilizing Blockchain Technology with IPFS and WebRTC

In this chapter, we present a decentralized file-sharing system that integrates Blockchain and WebRTC technologies to offer secure, efficient, and flexible data transfer methods. Users, based on their needs, can select between two modes: Blockchain-based sharing, which leverages smart contracts and IPFS for immutable and encrypted storage with access control via Ethereum wallets, or Peer-to-Peer (P2P) sharing, which enables direct file exchanges using WebRTC with browser-based encryption. The Blockchain mode ensures robust security, data provenance, and transparency, while the P2P mode emphasizes low latency and offline compatibility. By combining these technologies, the system as a whole addresses the challenges of centralized data storage, such as vulnerability to breaches and inefficiencies in scalability. The proposed hybrid approach provides a unique balance of security, accessibility, and performance, making it suitable for academic, enterprise, and personal use cases. Current limitations, including system cost, scalability, and real-time performance under heavy usage, are acknowledged, with future improvements aimed at enhancing these aspects.