How do I connect to an irc server anonymously? reddit / irc ---------------------------------------------------------------------- incogmonkey_ · 2016-03-20 21:36 Since Tor is blocked by some servers, is there another way to connect to irc servers anonymously? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ahrotahntee_ · 2016-03-20 22:02 Most IRC networks will obscure your IP address from other clients on the network. If they do, that means you're protected from your peers via the IRC network. People can still trick you into revealing your IP address (by following links, etc) The network themselves will likely want you to not be anonymous in case you start causing trouble, and they need to get rid of you. When I was a network operator we would block anonymous proxies, and tor exit nodes because they were often used by abusive clients. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- incogmonkey_ · 2016-03-20 22:24 I can understand operators attempting to block abusive clients by blocking anonymous proxies, and tor exit nodes. But do you not think that blocking proxies and tor altogether is a bad thing for clients their privacy? Also, if I'm not mistaken, freenode(one of the more active irc channels) does not obscure your IP address by default. I'm not sure if there are many servers that actually do. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ahrotahntee_ · 2016-03-20 22:31 If the network is taking the proper steps to obscure their clients IP addresses from other clients on the server, then there due diligence is done. Privacy is maintained. Freenode does provide host masking, but you need to request it, and turn it on (mode +x). However it's [not perfect](https://gist.github.com/maxteufel/1e2cf7ada079c271bd3c). I don't know why they don't put more effort into concealing the real IP address of their clients, but I've never really put any research into Freenode's policies. I've been using Freenode for a long while now and never had any problems. You can always get a cheap VPS and put a bouncer on it as a level of abstraction, or look for a free bouncing service. The problem with bouncers you don't run yourself is you need to be OK with those people being able to read your messages (if they set their mind to it). Ninja EDIT: Oh. It's important to note that anonymity is not the same as privacy. Privacy can be protected without providing anonymity. Host masking is an example of that. Your IP address is typically 'hashed' to form the mask, which means you can still be banned from a channel, and cannot return without changing your IP address.. but nobody knows exactly where you came from. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- incogmonkey_ · 2016-03-20 22:56 Thanks for the advice. I'll look into running my own bouncer ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Saber_UK · 2016-03-21 07:38 If you worry about security or privacy then you shouldn't rely on automatic host cloaking. It works as a protection against lazy attackers but if you know how its fairly easy to write an OpenCL cracker which will brute force short cloak keys very quickly. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dijit · 2016-03-21 10:22 It all depends on the IRC operator, for example I run a .onion address that allows you to connect without leaving tor- there are IRC networks on i2p. But the best privacy would come from your own bouncer (like others have said) if you can't trust the network operator(s) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NeuroG · 2016-03-21 16:43 Who's your concern? My IRC client connects over a commercial VPN, which provides another layer over IP masking. Of course, your identity could be revealed by the VPN provider, so it's not Tor-level anonymity. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [deleted] · 2016-03-21 17:42 [removed] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MC_Cuff_Lnx · 2016-07-01 05:33 Tor is still the best way.