Why the IP address is attached to username when you type /whois 'Username' ? and is it safe ? reddit / irc ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kurosaki1990 · 2015-02-09 08:56 Like in freenode network your IP is visible to everyone on the network and to hide it you need to use cloak (unaffiliated) and i don't know how to do it. My main question is why the IP is there in the first place ? and for the freenode network i didn't get how set up the cloak in FAQ. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- TTSDA · 2015-02-09 10:00 If the hostname wasn't there you could evade bans simply by changing nickname. Some networks automatically change your hostname to a cloak though, like Rizon. If you had read the freenode FAQ properly you would know that you can request an unaffiliated cloak in #freenode ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kurosaki1990 · 2015-02-09 10:11 But there is no need to show the IP address to everyone right ? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- TTSDA · 2015-02-09 10:22 There is because ban masks are built client side ---------------------------------------------------------------------- funknut · 2015-02-09 22:28 If you are involved in any open source projects, many of them will offer a cloak (no cost). You can request a cloak from staff in #freenode. Your real hostname or IP will be displayed in your hostmask on Freenode otherwise. Freenode is different than most networks in this way. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PriceChild · 2015-02-09 22:47 IP addresses are public addresses. They're just like phone numbers in that anyone can contact them and you can enumerate through them all. Bad people can send nasty phone calls & texts to one and removing your number from a directory listing probably won't stop it! As for why most ircd's display them by default, I think it's mostly about accounability. The IP address is relatively difficult for you the user to change at will. (Ignoring proxies/vpn's for the time being) It's the only piece of information about you that can be reliably used if the worst comes to the worst and someone decides to remove you from their community. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- GeekyGamer01 · 2015-02-11 18:34 When IRC was made back in the 80s/90s, someone having your IP/hostname didn't really matter as a DoS attack or something was a dream, and many IRC networks haven't changed that. As others have said, more modern networks will allow you to hide your hostname ---------------------------------------------------------------------- RougeR · 2015-02-16 16:55 Unless you have a standard dynamic IP or just run through a VPN/proxy as standard or bounce via another pc... pretty common practice. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PriceChild · 2015-02-16 20:23 Standard, dynamic, doesn't really make a difference in this case. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- woprdotmil · 2015-02-21 21:29 to make clients addressable for the sake of writing rules for/against them (think auto op, kicks, bans, etc) the only way around it on a network that doesnt alias your host is to suck an ircops dick and get a spoof.