Internet Relay Chat, better known as IRC, is a an application layer protocol that supports communication via text between multiple computers within a network. It was originally created in Finland in the late 1980’s and although it is not as widely used as it once was, it is still popular among many technology fans, thanks to its simplicity. IRC focuses on text based chat and it allows you to talk to multiple users in a main room. You can also send private messages to specific people and it is also possible to transfer files.
There are hundred servers available and each of them has several channels or chat rooms. It is possible to create a chat room very easily and designate an operator to manage the chat. Unlike the latest communication platforms, IRC lacks advanced functionality like video conferencing and its interface is very basic. While Over the years, IRC has lost a high percentage of users, it is still preferred by many companies to handle their internal communications.
With an IRC client, you can access the main room and chat with others. There is a variety of IRC clients available and it is possible to find options that support mobile or desktop platforms. Some of the best IRC clients are WeeChat, Palaver, AndroidIRC, Textual and mIRC. IRC fans are also familiar with Freenode, an IRC network that is used to discuss peer-directed projects. Since IRC is not as popular as it once was, it can be difficult to find a good channel. In some cases, there are only a few users online, or they just don’t talk that much. But that is not the only challenge that IRC users face.
When using IRC, it is important to keep in mind that your privacy can be at risk. Your IP address would be visible to others and this will allow people to know your location. Knowing your IP address also allows malicious users to launch DDoS attacks against you. Some networks offer hostmasking solutions that allow you to hide your IP address, but using a VPN is a versatile and secure alternative that should be considered. With a VPN you can keep your real IP address concealed so other people won’t know where you are actually located. A VPN also helps to prevent DDoS attacks and since your online traffic is encrypted, your online activities will remain private.
Check our list of the best VPN services for IRC.
PureVPN
PureVPN has hundreds of servers in its network and it is possible to connect to servers in over 140 countries. You can easily protects your real IP address and location because when you connect to a VPN server, what others see is the IP address of the server. Even if they to launch a DDoS attack, it won’t affect you since it will be done against the IP address of the VPN and VPN providers have networks that are capable of handling such attacks. PureVPN is based in Hong Kong and thanks to its security and good speeds, it is a great choice for IRC.
NordVPN
NordVPN is a provider based in Panama that offers advanced security and strong privacy to protect your connection from attacks and to ensure that your real location is not exposed. Privacy a a priority for NordVPN and they don’t keep any logs at all, so your activities and other aspects of your use of the service are never monitored or tracked. NordVPN supports options such as Tor over VPN, double VPN and more. It has servers in over 50 countries, giving you a variety of options to change your IP address.
ExpressVPN
This provider based in the British Virgin Islands is one of the fastest and most secure VPN solutions available. ExpressVPN keeps your information protected from eavesdroppers, malicious users and even your ISP, thanks to the high level of encryption that it applies: AES 256-bit. You can connect to servers in 94 countries and switch between then whenever you want. ExpressVPN offers great speeds and thanks to its advanced technology, it enables you to bypass geo-restrictions effectively. You can enjoy IRC safely and also bypass restrictions in other apps to access the content that you want.
VyprVPN
VyprVPN offers a exclusive protocol known as Chameleon, which is designed to cover the fact that a VPN is being used and it can defeat Deep Packet Inspection and Firewalls. VyprVPN has server in over 70 global locations so you have many options to change your IP address and keep your real location hidden when you are using IRC chats. The service is also fast and secure. VyprVPN is the VPN solution offered by Golden Frog, a prominent Internet consortium. Thanks to the fact that VyprVPN manages its own network of servers, it can offer better reliability and speeds than other providers.