Protecting Yourself

Protecting Yourself from Spam and Abuse

Protecting Yourself from Spam and Abuse

While the network provides multiple layers of protection, users may occasionally become direct targets of spam, unsolicited private messages, or harassment. In most cases, these issues originate from unauthenticated users or automated clients.

The most effective way to protect yourself is to apply targeted user modes that limit who can contact you, without affecting your normal channel activity.

Blocking Messages from Unregistered Users

(Recommended First Step)

Most private message spam comes from unregistered nicknames. A simple and effective first step is to prevent unauthenticated users from sending you private messages.

/mode your_nickname +R

This allows registered users to message you normally while blocking messages from unregistered users.

Restricting Messages Outside Shared Channels

If you are receiving messages from users who do not share any channels with you, you can restrict private messages to users who are already in a channel with you.

/mode your_nickname +c

This prevents unsolicited contact while keeping normal channel communication intact.

Blocking All Private Messages

If you prefer not to receive private messages, you can choose to block all private messages.

/mode your_nickname +D

This is usually a temporary measure and can be removed once the situation improves.

Blocking CTCP Requests and Invites

Users, bots, or scripts may exploit CTCP requests or channel invites for spam or harassment, such as gathering information or sending unsolicited messages. Blocking these features helps reduce unwanted interactions and protect your privacy.

To block all CTCP messages:

/mode your_nickname +T

To block all channel invites:

/mode your_nickname +V

Requiring Secure (SSL/TLS) Connections

To ensure all private communication is encrypted, you can require that messages are only exchanged with users connected via SSL/TLS.

/mode your_nickname +z

Users not connected securely will be unable to send you messages.

Combination Examples

You can combine multiple modes to create stronger protection without blocking legitimate users.

/mode Dimitris +Rc

This combination of +R and +c will block private messages from unregistered users and prevent messages from users who are not in the same channels as you.

Ignoring Persistent Abusers

If a user is repeatedly causing issues such as spam, harassment, or unwanted messages, you can use ignore or silence to prevent further communication.

Ignoring a Specific User

The ignore command blocks all messages from a specific user, including private messages, notices, and their messages in any shared channels.

/ignore nickname

Once ignored, the user’s messages will no longer appear.

To remove the ignore and allow messages again:

/unignore nickname
Advanced Message Blocking with Silence

The silence command provides more advanced control than ignore. It allows you to block messages based on nicknames, hostmasks, or other targets defined by the flags listed in /helpop silence.

/silence nickname

This will silence all messages from the specified user across all channels.

/silence *!*@* N

This example blocks all NOTICE messages sent by any user. Silence can be fine-tuned using different flags to target specific message types.

Summary

By setting user modes and using the ignore or silence features, you can protect yourself from spam, harassment, and unwanted interactions on IRC. These steps allow you to tailor your experience and control who can contact you, making your time online safer and more enjoyable.

Use an IRC client: Consider using an IRC client for greater control and access to additional features, such as saving ignores, managing user modes, securing nickname passwords, and more.

Tips for Protecting Yourself Online

  • Register Your Nickname: Always register your nickname with a strong password to prevent others from impersonating you on the network. This ensures your identity is secure.
  • Use Secure Passwords: Choose a password that’s unique and difficult to guess. Avoid using common words or phrases, and include a mix of upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • Enable SSL Encryption: Connect to the IRC server using SSL (Secure Socket Layer) whenever possible. This ensures your communication is encrypted, protecting it from eavesdropping or tampering.
  • Limit Personal Information: Avoid sharing personal information such as your real name, address, or phone number in public or private channels. Be cautious about what you disclose to others.
  • Mask Your IP Address: Use an IRC bouncer (BNC) or connect via Tor to hide your real IP address, making it harder for malicious users to trace your location or launch attacks against you.
  • Utilize Cloaking or Hostmasking: Many IRC networks allow you to cloak or mask your real hostname or IP address with a virtual one, which prevents other users from seeing your actual location or internet service provider details.
  • Beware of Suspicious Links: Do not click on links from unknown or untrusted sources. These could lead to malicious websites designed to steal your data or infect your system with malware.
  • Avoid Untrusted Downloads: Be cautious about downloading files from users or channels you do not know. Always verify the source before downloading anything.
  • Keep Your IRC Client Updated: Ensure that your IRC client is always updated to the latest version. Regular updates often include security patches that protect you from newly discovered vulnerabilities.
  • Manage Your User Modes: Set your user modes appropriately (e.g., +i for "invisible") to prevent unwanted users from seeing your activity or presence on the network.
  • Report Abuse or Harassment: If you encounter any form of abuse, harassment, or suspicious behavior, report it to the network administrators or IRCops immediately. Most networks have mechanisms in place to handle such issues.

Final Steps:

If you’ve tried the above tips but are still encountering issues, follow these steps:

  1. Gather Evidence:
    Take screenshots or record incidents where you face harassment, abuse, or suspicious behavior. Ensure you capture relevant details such as usernames, timestamps, and chat logs.
  2. Report the Issue:
    Submit your evidence along with a detailed description of the incident to abuse@hybridirc.com.
    - Our support team will review your case and take appropriate action.