User:Gandaganza/Using IRC with Tor

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Connecting to IRC via TOR

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Introduction

This small guide is for anyone interested in using the IRC while remaining as anonymous as possible (or because you're paranoid like me). You'll need to install TOR (The Onion Router) and an IRC Client, as well as request an IRC Bouncer (instructions provided for all).

This guide will consist in 3 parts: Part 1 will focus on installing all the requirements and configuring your client to use TOR, Part 2 will focus on the specific settings of our unnoficial chat (currently: Rizon), Part 3 will focus on maintenance and small tips to increase your security.

This is currently the best way to remain anonymous while in IRC. However, I can't guarantee your safety/anonymity, specially if you do something not advised by your Client/TOR. Suggestions are welcome!

Part 1

• Install TOR.
• Install your preferred IRC client (XChat based client highly suggested - XChat 2, HexChat) - DO NOT install any plugins! (not even the update checker)
• Make sure you don't start your client.
• Open the TOR browser (make sure it stays open while configuring and using the IRC).
• Open the start menu
• Run %appdata%
• Open Appdata/Roaming/<yourIRCClient>
• Right-click <yourIRCClient>.conf and select "Edit with Notepad++"
• Locate the line with "gui_slist_skip = 0" and change it to "gui_slist_skip = 1". If not there then add it at the bottom. (This prevents the client from using your local connection to search for other uninteresting networks)
• Right-click servlist.conf and select "Edit with Notepad++"
• Delete any networks that might be listed there and paste this there:

N=LocalComputer
E=IRC (Latin/Unicode Hybrid)
F=10
D=0
S=127.0.0.1/6667

In the end it should look like this (Xchat based Clients need to connect to a network or they crash! So we give it an empty network :p)

• Open your Client. A blank window should appear and the Client should be trying to connect to the blank network we added earlier (and failing miserably).
• Enter these next commands:

/set net_proxy_port 9050
/set net_proxy_type 3
/set net_proxy_use 0 (The last commands make the IRC Client use the TOR proxy to connect)
/set dcc_auto_chat 0
/set dcc_auto_resume OFF
/set dcc_auto_send 0
/set irc_hide_version ON
/set identd OFF (The last commands prevents protocol leakage - a bunch of personal information)

• Open Settings -> Preferences and delete everything under Default Messages.
• Enter these next commands:

/ignore *!*@* CTCP DCC
/ignore * CTCP DCC(The last commands make your Client ignore CTCP and DDC inquiries)

Part 1 is done! Your Client should now be configured to use TOR instead of your local connection.

Part 2

For this part it is recommended you use an anonymous e-mail account. If you do not have one, I recommend creating a mail2tor account. Open the link inside TOR.

• Look for an IRC Bouncer (BNC4Free recommended).
• Follow their instructions on how to request an account via e-mail. (requested server should be irc.rizon.net/+6697 - Advanced users can choose a different server based on latency)
• From the Client chat window, <yourIRCClient> -> Network List, and add a new Network named "Rizon_IRC_SSL_via_TOR".
• Click "Edit" and change the "newserver/6667" to the secure (SSL) server the bouncer gave you.
• Check "Use SSL for all the servers on this connection" and "Connect to selected server only" (only check "Accept invalid SSL certificate" if your bouncer requires it).
• Select "Server Password" as your login method.
• Insert your nickname and password as your bouncer instructs.