So I'm interested in getting into IRC... Just a couple questions regarding it. reddit / irc ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MintChocolateEnema · 2017-09-11 23:45 I'm interested in looking for some IRCs that pertain to me. Most likely a Math IRC or what have you. I've heard the terms Freenode. Either way, network is not *really* important. I've used VPN in the past, So I understand how it works... But in general is it really necessary when partaking in an IRC? I respect the rules and the staff who are welcome to my IP address, that's not the issue. I just didn't know how often kids like to hide behind a computer and DDoS/Boot every IP they come across... Don't really have time for that. Is that a common issue? I know some networks offer cloaking, which I'd most likely look into, but for a general IRC experience... is paying for a VPN a must in your guys/girls experience? Just don't want to get trolled off the internet by some snot covered kid and his web browser booter. EDIT: I guess the most important question... of those who use IRC, How many of you use some method of protecting your IP specifically for this reason? (As from what I understand a bouncer will keep you online 24/7, that's not really important here, but mainly just harassment) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A-UNDERSCORE-D · 2017-09-12 00:01 Personally I use a bouncer, not for the masking it provides but for the other things it provides, like connecting to IRC from multiple clients under one nickname. on any of the larger nets you are unlikely to run into an issue where someone is DOSing any users they see, on larger networks this would be dealt with rather quickly. a VPN can help, but can also introduce hassle where channels ban the use of VPNs because people can use them for ban evasion. essentially, don't upset anyone and you should be fine, and while plenty of people will threaten to DOS you, not many actually will. Otherwise, if you're looking for a safe place to mess around with IRC, try snoonet :P we offer cloaking from the moment you connect. maybe even come find me, I'm under the nick A_D. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MintChocolateEnema · 2017-09-12 00:10 I will definitely check out snoonet! I really just want to see what IRC is all about. Trying to see if I can find some channels to fiddle around with and talk to others while I truck through these college years. Just ordered a ThinkPad, I think an IRC will be icing on the cake. Throw in Linux and I'll have all the ladies. Definitely going to check it out. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- dopaminenotyours · 2017-09-12 01:39 I'm just a casual user. Many networks offer the masking you speak of. That's comforting enough for me. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FranzGames · 2017-09-12 16:14 I don't use a VPN to hide my IP. I really don't see the point. To me most of the times people want to DDOS you is when you are gaming online. Or when you have some jerk really mad at you. I normally use the tech IRC channels. So those kind of people don't seem to hang out there. YMMV ---------------------------------------------------------------------- StaleMuffins · 2017-09-14 14:37 I'm a complete newbie to IRC, though I've spent at least a few hours trying to understand the very basics. I'm currently living in South America and have been trying to use LimeChat but can't very my SASL, seemingly no matter what tutorial or advice I follow. Could this be because I am using a VPN? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MintChocolateEnema · 2017-09-14 19:22 If I understand correctly, SASL is used on a registered account of the network. Allowing you to automatically log into your registered name when connecting to that network. Though I'm new as well, and use HexChat.. I found that once I registered my name, plugging those details into a setting in my client, it would automatically throw me in. Hopefully someone here can shine some light. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Jigoku1337 · 2017-09-18 19:27 If it's a big network, there will be free BNC providers which you can get an account for, usually able to end up with a custom vhost address through their service. You could also fire up tor, set your local network proxy to 127.0.0.1:9050 and mask your address that way. Although some networks block tor exit nodes or they might have an additional registration method to allow you to use tor on the network. I'd say if you're looking about, browsing networks, tor may be the best option. Then if you wanted to stick around look into hosting a BNC, or signing up for other BNC accounts on that network. Years ago, i used to have a free shell account on various shell providers (here's one; http://devio.us/ ) and then use irsii or weechat to connect from the ssh session. Nowadays i just tend to connect through tor on networks that don't mask a users host/ip.