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1. Introduction
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2. Channels
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3. Network
Services
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4. Bots
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5. IRC Modes
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6. IRC
Security
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7. Privacy on
IRC
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8. Trading
Methods
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9. Connecting to IRC
via a Proxy
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10. Major IRC Networks
Summary
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11. Minor IRC Networks
Summary
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12. IRC Clients
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1. Introduction:-
IRC stands for
Internet Relay Chat, and is a pretty
good way to share thoughts, ideas and information in real-time. There are many
different IRC networks, some of the most popular are efnet, dalnet and
undernet.
The IRC-Servers are Internet Servers, that forward your messages to all the other
users you are talking to. IRC-Servers can be either on their own, or they can be
connected to some others, so that they form an IRC-Net. When more IRC-Servers
are connected, they act like one server, but there is a system imposed limit to the
number of people that can be connected. Sometimes when this limit is exceeded the
phenomenon known as a Net-split takes place Then people on one of the
servers cannot see the people on the other server(s).Most net-splits last for a few
seconds or a few minutes, but they can last for lengthy periods on some occasions.
To log on at an IRC-Server you need its IP Address or url name (us.undernet.org)
and the Port, where the IRC-Server is running (This is normally 6666, 6667,
6668, 7000 but others exist too). You start your IRC-Client and connect
to the server. You need to have an E-Mail Address, Realname and Nickname
typed into the client. But you can enter whatever you want ;-).
The nickname is the name the others see, when you say something.
Each IRC network consists of servers in various locations that are linked together, so
that when you log on to one efnet server you can see all the people logged on to the
other efnet servers around the world. The different networks however, are kept
separate (if you are logged on to an efnet server, you won't be able to chat with
your friend that is logged on to a dalnet server).
All your messages and actions will be routed via the server, so you are never
connected to one of the others. So the IRC-Server can log your chats, and
disconnect you from the server. There is one exception, the DCC-actions. DCC is
used, when you want to send files to other people or Chat directly and in private with
them, the DCC is initiated with the help of the server and connects you directly to
the other PC.
NEVER NEVER NEVER accept a DCC chat or file sent from someone you do
not know or trust!!! This is the cause of 95% of all IRC security problems. In the
mIRC DCC options section, set DCC Chat and Send to IGNORE ALL. Never have the
Auto Get option checked!!
2. Channels:-
Within each network, there are many small "chat rooms" called channels. Channel
names always start with a "#". Caps don't matter in channel names, you could type
#aBC, #ABC, #Abc, however you like - you are still joining the same channel. This
can be normally done by the '/join #channel' command. To make your own channel is
easy, you simply join a channel with the channel name you want to use, and if it is
not already occupied by somebody else, then the channel will be made for you
automatically. While in a channel, you will see a list of names of other people that are
also in that channel with you. When you create your own channel, you will notice
that you are the only person there - nobody else can see what you are saying.
After entering the channel, the client shows you the people in there, what they say
and the channel topic. You can chat in more than one channel at the same time.
If you don't know which channel you want to join try the '/list' command, which
shows you a list of all channels on that server. On each channel is normally a
channel-operator (op). This person has special rights, and can kick people
out of the room, or ban then, so they can never join again, until the ban is removed.
A channel operator has a @ in front of their name. Every channelop can give
the +o @ to other people, so that there can be more than one operator on
each channel. It is also possible to remove the @ from a user. Channels can
have settings which can be set by channelops. These settings are things like the
topic, bans, invite-only flag, maximum number of users ... and so on. You can leave a
channel with a simple command '/part #channel' where #channel is the name of the
channel
If you want to send someone a private message, try the following. '/msg nick hi,
how's life?'. Then your message will be displayed in his current window. If you want
to start a longer chat use '/query nick' This will open a new window, which is similar
to a private chat room for 2 people.
And to leave the server use the '/quit' command, which disconnects you from the
irc-server.
3. Network Services :-
Network Services are one of the best innovations on IRC. They usually consist of two
basic services, Chanserv and Nickserv. Many networks also run Memoserv in
conjunction with Nickserv. The services vary in form, implementation, and complexity
from network to network, but their function is still the same. They are run by the
various Networks as stand-alone servers, and usually run unobtrusively in the
background. You don't have to use the services, but they certainly make IRCing safer
and relatively hassle free. Dalnet was the first major network to run full blown
services. Undernet only runs Chanserv and EFnet doesn't run any services. Most of
the smaller IRC Networks have some form of Network services, which makes them
very attractive alternatives to the major IRC Networks. NOTE: When you register a
channel or nick, it is registered only on that specific network, NOT on any other
network.
Chanserv
allows a user to Register a channel on IRC. Chanserv has virtually
eliminated channel takeovers. A registered channel is protected so that no one can
takeover the channel. The channel owner (the person who registered it with
Chanserv) can specify who gets ops by designating an ops list, set channel topic,
modes, and ban lists, and a few other things. All this will be maintained and enforced
by Chanserv unless the channel owner changes them. NOTE: On most networks, the
registration will expire if the channel is not used for some extended time period
ranging from 14 to 30 days.
Nickserv
allows a user to Register their IRC nickname. Once registered, no
one else can use the nick. The nick is identified by logon address and is password
protected. If someone logs on with your nick while you are not on line, Nickserv
checks their address, and if it does not match your stored hostmask (logon address),
it warns the user that they are using a registered nick and that they must change to
another nick or be "killed" by Services. On Networks with Memoserv, a registered nick
can send and receive memos to other registered users (sort of like IRC email). NOTE:
On most networks, the registration will expire if the nick is not used for some
extended time period ranging from 14 to 30 days.
To check for the presence of Chanserv after joining a Network, type in /msg
Chanserv help. To check for Nickserv, type in /msg Nickserv help. This will work on
most IRC Networks with Services. Detailed information will be sent to you by the
Network server. Follow the instructions for further information.
4. Bots:-
On some channels are bots. A bot is an IRC-Program, which runs on an Internet
server, and protects the channel. You can give a bot ops in your channel. and that
way when you get disconnected, you can reconnect and have the bot op you by
sending it a remote command. There are also DCC-Bots, which are used in various
mp3/warez channels to send you files. Bots can also be set up to control the channel
by kicking people on certain events, i.e. if they are flooding the channel (sending too
much text at once) and they can keep an eye on the persons who get ops and who
gets banned. Why is this necessary ? Some pseudo-hackers try sometimes to
overtake a channel. An overtake is successful if the attacker has ops and all the
other's don't!
An overtake can happen in several different ways. One is to simply use the infamous
OOB kiddie-script and nuke all the others and wait until the channel becomes empty.
Another is too apply the various Denial of Service Attacks - ddos, smurf, fraggle etc.
This collapses either the channel or causes a split and allows the attacker, who
hopes to be the first one to re-join the channel, which will give him automatic ops.
To back up this attack, one would then install an eggdrop "bot" which would keep the
channel under their control indefinitely. This kind of behavior is usually associated
with people determined to close down those who host pedophile or other nasty porn
channels. Or simply because they disagree with another persons point-of-view.
If such misbehavior gets reported to whoever runs the IRC-Server, the attacker will
probably be k-lined, which forbids him to connect to the server again.
5. IRC Modes:-
There are many different
channel modes which can be
changed by channel operators (ops). When a mode is changed, you will see in the
channel something like this:
" sets mode +m"
Here are some of the different channel modes:
- i -
- "invite only" To enter the channel you must be invited first by an op in that
channel.
- k -
- "key" This is so that only certain people with the correct key can enter. The
key is just like a password used to enter the channel. This will help keep unwanted
people out of your channel.
- l -
- When the mode is +l, you will see a number following it. This is the limit of
the number of people allowed to join the channel.
- m -
- "moderated" Only ops and voices can send messages to the channel,
everyone else can only see the messages, not send any of their own.
- n -
- "No External Messages" This should always be set. If it is not, then anyone
can send to the channel without even being actually in the channel.
- p -
- "private" The channel will not appear on the server's list of channels
- s -
- "secret" When someone does a /whois, the channel will not be shown along
with the person's info
- t -
- This stands for "Only ops can change topic" If the mode is not set on a
channel, then anyone can change the topic.
6. IRC Security:
Security within an
irc-server is minimal, i.e. it is
dependent entirely upon your actions. the default mode is open. And without the use
of a proxy your real ip-address can be made available to anyone else connected to
the server.
To find out more about someone or check if they are online try the '/whois nick'
command... nick is of course the name. If the user is not longer connected to the
server type '/whowas nick' to see something about the person. With '/dns nick' you
can get the user's IP-Address.
Some people whilst using DCC feel completely safe but CTCP (Client To Client
Protocol). Which is the protocol used by DCC, will reveal all. This consists of special
messages that you or the irc-server can send to others. i.e. '/ctcp nick PING' will
send
a ping packet to the other one, which will then give you the time a message needs to
get from your PC to his one. Other CTCP Commands are CLIENTINFO,
CLIENTVERSION, USERINFO, TIME... They all get used by '/ctcp nick command'. Just
try them out. It should allow you to understand how vulnerable you are whenever
you are connected to an irc-server.
A good analogy, in terms of irc-server security, is a Peer-to-Peer network like napster
or gnutella. They operate on similar principles, except napster is simply irc cloned and
specialized for mp3's. Peer-to-Peer networks are a security disaster. Why? Because
anyone can log in, do a quick search on whats resident on all the
hard-drives, using some kind of software filter. And if they are looking for pornz i.e.
mpg or copy write music i.e. mp3's, they simply log each hard-drive's ip-address.
Then
do a dns query and report their findings to the relevant authorities. There are
commercial applications out there right now available for this purpose. They will auto
e-mail the hosting server or participating PC's with a notice referring to
transgressions
under the Digital Millennium Copywrite Act!
These same software applications can be used on irc-servers and networks to
filter for pornz, music, racist and lewd chat.
| WARNING |
Never swap anything illegal on an irc-server! |
7. Privacy on IRC:-
You should always keep in mind that messages you send to someone over IRC are
passed along all the servers between you and and the person you are writing to.
When you're sending a letter to someone, any postman on the way could open it and
read its contents.
Well, it's the same on the network. Any IRC-Admin could compile their server in
"debug" mode and log whatever messages are transmitted through his node, (it has
already been done), so a good rule of thumb is not to trust the servers.
| IRC IS NOT A SECURE METHOD OF COMMUNICATION! |
8. Trading Methods:-
Also referred to as file access ;-)
- DCC
- XDCC
- Fserve (File Server)
- Bots
- Personal FTP Sites
Each one of these methods can reveal your real ip-address
| WARNING |
Never swap anything illegal on an irc-server! |
9. Connecting to IRC via a Proxy
Its possible to connect to IRC using a proxy, this way people cannot see your actual
IP address. Using a proxy helps you avoid being scanned or sent trojans, etc. This
also makes your more anonymous. Using a proxy does slow you down, since you are
routed via the proxy server first, before it gets to the IRC network.
Many IRC networks do not allow proxies, and they scan for them when you connect.
Using the "identd" daemon. If they find you are on a proxy, they will disconnect you.
Or in irc lingo "k-line" you, i.e. kill the connection. Why do they do this? Because
some
people log on through proxies to hack/flood others on the network.
To connect through a proxy server, you first need to find a socks proxy, have a
look here Then, tell your
IRC program to connect through a socks firewall, tell it the proxy's ip address and
port number (should be port 1080). To do this in mIRC, go into the options, if you
expand the "connect" section, you will see a topic that says "firewall". Go there, click
on the box that says "Use SOCKS firewall", check the appropriate protocol button (if
you are not sure which it is, most of them are socks4).
Then in "hostname" put the ip address or hostname of your proxy. Now you are ready
to connect just like normal. If you can't connect to the server, try a few more, and if
none of them are working, then switch your proxy and try again. Do this until you find
a proxy/server combination that works, and then stick with it! You may find it helpful
to try more servers than are listed by default with some IRC clients, so check out this
list. Patience is the keyword here, as this process can be tedious until you find a
proxy that works.
There are other methods for connecting to an irc-server anonymously, some need
applications like socks2http or HTTPort which uses an SSL proxy to tunnel requests
to a wide variety of net services, or require an understanding of the line commands
so that you can connect using telnet via some wingate. Combinations of other
methods are: using a shell account and/or requiring a specialized knowledge of the
irc-net, what "identd" it uses etc, so that you can avoid being k-lined. Or an
advanced understanding of proxy protocols i.e. using CONNECT mode etc.
10. Major IRC Networks
Summary
11. Minor IRC Networks
Summary
AustNet
Austnet was, as the name hints, founded primarily in Australia although it has spread
throughout the world since then with international server coverage. The network
prides itself on it's efficient, secure, well developed network (their words). This
network also offers users the capability to register their nicknames and
channels.
Click here for a list of
servers
ChatNet
Chatnet is a friendly, family oriented server much different then the other major
servers. It has 20 worldwide servers and over 150 registered channels. Chatnet is
already placed as the 4th largest IRC network.
Click here for a list
of servers
CyNet
Cynet is a fairly new network and has only been around since January of 1998. The
creators wanted a safer place for people to chat through IRC which is what this
network is based on. Although rather small, there are several servers connected to
this network.
Click here for a list of servers
GalaxyNet
GalaxyNet was formed sometime may 1996 when a group of servers connected to
NewNet decided to break off because the network wasn't as democratic as they had
been lead to believe it would be. Thus the 3 joined together and formed GalaxyNet.
They do have channel and nickname register services. A fairly large network, and
just the right place if you are a NewNet refugee.
Click here for a list of
servers
GammaNet
This is a middle sized IRC network that is run in much the same style as DalNet. It
has some great op features when registering nicks and channels.
Click here for a list of servers
Japanese IRC
This IRC network is only for users located in Japan and people use kanji code
throughout the network.
Click here for a list of servers
KidLink
Kidlink is a private network set-up for kids ages 10-15. You must register through
kidlink in order to use Kidlink IRC.
Currently there exists only one server "irc-1.kidlink.org"
NewNet
This is a fairly new IRC network. It was started in response to EF NET's many
problems. There homepage states this is a network used by the ppl and therefor for
the ppl. Also a future voting system is being planned. If you are tired of huge
networks this is for you.
Click here for a list of servers
RedBrasil
A middle sized server located mainly in brazil. Mostly Portuguese is used throughout
the network. Currently around 13 servers are running.
Click here for
a list of servers
SorceryNet
This network applies to anyone looking for someplace a little more peaceful then the
huge networks. Less netsplits, and harasses. SorceryNet was originally set up for
channels regarding role playing games that wanted a solid user base with less people
walking into their room at random.
Click here for a list of servers
SunSite
This IRC network is not international and you must be located in Denmark in order to
connect to it. It is fairly new and still small.
Currently there are only 2 servers "SunSITE.auc.dk" and "irc.dknet.dk"
SuperChat
This is a more friendly family oriented network though it still allows bots. Fairly small,
currently running 10 servers.
Click here for a list of
servers
TalkCity
This is a huge network that might be considered as the 4th or 5th biggest. It's as
specially family oriented and under constant supervision by the CSA, City Standards
advisors.
One main server that Automatically gives you alternate fastest server.
"chat.talkcity.com"
WebNet
This medium sized network allows nickname and channel registration. They also have
a java client for browsers to connect with directly of their website.
Click here for
a list of servers
World Wide
Conferencing Network (WWCN)
Opened the 8th of August 1997 this network is still relatively new and only has as of
yet 3 servers. It was constructed for the purpose of worldwide conferencing and
runs just like any other IRC network. You can register a room just for your use.
Click here for
a list of servers
World Wide Free-Net IRC Network
(WWFIN)
A small network that currently only runs 5 servers. It claims to be a friendly small
environment because off it's many IRC chan operators.
Click here for a list of servers
X-Net
A middle sized server that was started a couple years ago under the name IceNet.
Since it's collapse in 1997 two servers split off and formed X-Net. Once again it's
regained it's size and is up and running faithfully. The Network is less restricted then
most other networks.
Click here for a list of servers
Xworld
This is a medium sized IRC network with a good number of servers. It allows nick and
channel registration and bots. This network is ideal if you run games off of IRC
channels.
Click here for a list of
servers
12. IRC Clients:-
Acorn RISC OS System
IRClient
LIRC
Amiga OS System
AmIRC
chatbox
grapevine
irchat
Java applet to run in a web browser
Apirc
EIRC
JPilot
Atari OS System
AtarIRC
fracIRC
BeOS OS System
Bardak
Baxter
Birch
Felix
lnIRC
CGI Scripts (usually for Unix) to give a Web interface to IRC
whiplash
MS/DOS OS System
trumpet
Any system that support Java programs
AlphaWorks IRC for
Java
chatapplet
doIRC
dolphin
Elysium
JAVirc
lirch
ObjIRC
Relay-JFC
sIRC
SiteChat
Macintosh OS System
chatnet
Homer
Ircle
Magic Cap
CujoChat
Apple Newton OS System
ChatBuddy
OS/2 OS System
ezIRC
GTIRC
Palm Pilot OS System
chatI
RC
Unix (Linux, Solaris, FreeBSD, NetBSD, etc.) OS System
BitchX
blackened
ccirc
colirc
colorirc
EPIC
ERC
ircbase
IRChat
ircII
IRCIT
irssi
kiwi
NetHirc
ninja
nirc
phpIRC
pIRC
Scirc
scrollz
SHIRC!
sic
sirc
SlIRC
TIRC
uIRC
ZenIRC
Unix with the X Window System (XFree86, CDE, etc.) OS System
You can also run any of the Unix clients in a terminal window.
Bezerk
cIRCus
eIRC
EthioIRC
fOXIRC
IRCat-Lite
Jarl
keirc
kIRC
ksirc
kVirc
lIRC
Magik
minIRC
NetPlug
nitz_2000irc
nova
olirc
Pircy
Q-Irc
QuIRC
RoxIRC
SmIRC
SPX
sula
tkirc
X-Chat
xfirc
XgIRC
xIrc
yagIRC
Zipper
Zircon
IRCmagic
MacBitchX
MacIRC
ShadowIRC
smIRCle
Snak
VM/CMS OS System
RxIRC
Digital VMS (for VAX or possibly Open VMS on a DEC Alpha) OS System
ircII for VMS
Microsoft Web TV OS System
SorceryNet has a proxy for WebTV users to connect to; see for more information.
WebTV
Microsoft Windows CE OS System
ircCR
mobileIRC
Microsoft Windows OS System
BoxedIRC
Cabral
CHOCOA
Diplomat
dIRC
ichat
IRC Gold
ircbase
IRCToons
klient
leafchat
Masquerade
MaxxChat
mIRC
ML IRC
MonIRC
OrbitIRC
Pirch
PowerChat
QuIRC
Relay-WFC
RoxIRC
TCustomIRC
TeleCafe
TurboIRC
TurboIRC 2000
ViRC
Winsock IRC
WiRC
WSIRC
XiRCON
Zirc
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