User:Gandaganza/Using IRC with Tor

Template:PageBackground

Connecting to IRC via TOR

{{#css:User:Gandaganza/Using_IRC_with_Tor.css}} Template:Notice Template:Warning Small

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, Part 2 will focus on configuring your client to use TOR connections and Part 3 will focus on the specific settings of our unnoficial chat (currently: Rizon).

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!

Template:Warning Small

Part 1

• Install a TOR Client.
  1. Go to the TOR Project download page.
  2. Expand the "Microsoft Windows" tab.
  3. Download the "Vidalia Bridge Bundle".
  4. Install the Vidalia Bundle with all the default options. (See F.A.Q. for running this at startup)
• 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.
  
  

Part 1 is done! You're now ready to start configuring your IRC Client to use TOR.

Part 2

• Configure Vidalia.
  1. Open Vidalia (not TOR).
  2. Wait for it to establish a connection.
  3. Click on "Settings".
  4. Go to the Sharing tab and click on "Run as Client only".
  5. Go to the Advanced tab, untick "Randomly Generate" and fill in a password (make sure you remember it as you'll need it later).
  6. click on "Ok" to leave the settings and in "Hide" to minimize Vidalia to tray.
  7. You are now connected to TOR :D
     
     
• Configure the IRC Client.

1. Press WindowsKey + R.
2. Type %appdata% and click "Ok"
3. Open Appdata/Roaming/<yourIRCClient>
4. Right-click <yourIRCClient>.conf and select "Edit with Notepad++"
5. 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)
6. Right-click servlist.conf and select "Edit with Notepad++"
7. 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)
8. 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).
9. Enter these next commands, one at a time:
/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)
/ignore *!*@* CTCP DCC
/ignore * CTCP DCC (The last commands make your Client ignore CTCP and DDC inquiries)

10. Open Settings -> Preferences and delete everything under Default Messages.

Part 2 is done! Your Client should now be configured to use TOR instead of your local connection.

Part 3

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.

F.A.Q.

Q: Why download the Vidalia Bridge Bundle instead of the other ones?

Q: Should I run Vidalia from startup?

Q: I already use the TOR Broswer Bundle, will my pc blow up if I install the Vidalia Bundle?