What is the best way to hide my IP? reddit / irc ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ilikeminecraft · 2011-03-24 01:32 I'm completely new to IRC, and I'm uncomfortable with the fact that (on some servers) anyone can /whois me and see my IP. Most servers do have some sort of hashing of my IP or let me set a vhost, but for the ones that don't: what are my options? I've asked this before around the net, but I usually get answers that are a too over my head. What exactly is a BNC? Can I install one on my web host, or does it need to be on my actual machine? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- thibit · 2011-03-24 02:11 [This should help explain how to set up a hostname cloak](http://freenode.net/faq.shtml#cloaks). Have fun! ^^ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- d0nkeh · 2011-03-24 02:34 A lot of networks offer a hostname hiding service (often usermode +x). Some even let you "customize" that by requesting it in some way. That is network specific so I won't get into details. Some (Fewer) networks will mask ip's or the first few subdomains of a hostname with a 1-way hashing function. examples: 127.0.0.1 could become ASDG.GSD43.GDG.DAJtR.IP, and my.isp.is.awesome.com could become EERTg.SADF.is.awesome.com. The hash will always return the same result so that way these users can be banned or dealt with as if their hostmask wasn't hidden at all. If you don't like those options, you can always get a shell through one of the thousands of shell providers. You can use screen+irssi from a shell, or set up a BNC (popular bnc's I'd recommend are ZNC, dircproxy, or psyBNC). An alternative to a shell (but more stable/reliable, though fewer vhost/ip's to use) is to get a VPS or dedicated server. It costs more (usually, there are some "hobovps" services out there with $15/yr vps's, but you get what you pay for) but its worth it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- venuism · 2011-03-24 08:13 Get a VPN so you can evade bans all day. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- tnecniv · 2011-03-24 11:49 This only works for freenode, however. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- poop_in_yo_soup · 2011-03-24 14:29 Got to be careful about them backtracers. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ilikeminecraft · 2011-03-24 16:28 Yes, I was looking for something that works for every server I use, not just freenode. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [deleted] · 2011-03-24 18:39 Look into getting a shell account or VPN. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ilikeminecraft · 2011-03-24 22:31 Are both of those paid services? Is it possible to setup my own using my web host? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- henriwatson · 2011-03-24 23:57 Both of those are paid services. Shared hosting accounts *might* work, I wouldn't count on it though. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- oscarfroberg · 2011-03-27 18:36 You could request a beta invitation to http://irccloud.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [deleted] · 2011-04-03 05:06 [deleted] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- sje46 · 2011-04-14 19:22 Blinkenshell is free. It takes a fair amount of effort to be vouched though. You'd probably be set up within a weekend. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- djweezy · 2011-05-03 18:57 I help run blinkenshell, it is a great service for something like this. Also it allows you to be online when you computer is off so you don't miss anything. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- TellMeYMrBlueSky · 2011-05-09 02:01 ProXPN is a free VPN. Pros: it is free and it gets the job done Cons: They try to get you to get a paid account and occasionally the connection is dropped on the free account. Like I said, though, it works. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- mtkoan · 2011-06-12 01:50 Just go to #freenode and ask the OPs there for generic cloak. They will be happy to oblige you. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [deleted] · 2011-07-01 22:13 [deleted] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- carolyn_ · 2011-08-02 13:57 Many networks allow vhosts (virtual hosts), customised to say anything at all; some only allow this on donation or for regular users. BNCs are an option, but a lot of higher-traffic networks ban BNCs because of spam/trolls/warez channels, etc. Undernet, for example, doesn't block BNCs (or didn't the last time I was on there): when people think "Undernet", people think "XDCC warez, viruses, questionably legal porn". Freenode does, and has a general public image of productivity and altruism. My usual solution is to use irssi from a remote shell. For this, I use [Anapnea](http://anapnea.net), which I registered on in order to nmap my home network from outside it to test its security and which I ended up using mostly for IRC. (Anapnea also offers free SSH tunnelling, and $4/mo VPN services - the best VPN I've ever used). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- JerMenKoO · 2011-08-14 21:33 Use Amazon Free Usage Tier: http://aws.amazon.com/free/, you can host there free shell for 1 year.