Stay Safe Online

Protecting Yourself

While every effort is made to maintain a safe online experience, it's important to take measures to protect yourself and your personal information. Follow these steps to stay safe online:

Set User Modes (umodes)

Use umodes to control who can contact you and prevent unwanted interactions.

• /mode your_nickname +R - Prevent unregistered nicknames from private messaging you.
• /mode your_nickname +D - Block all private messages.
• /mode your_nickname +c - Block messages and notices from users outside your shared channels.
• /mode your_nickname +V - Block all invites from other users.
• /mode your_nickname +T - Prevent users from sending all types of CTCPs (like version checks) to your client.
• /mode your_nickname +z - Prevent messages from being sent to or received from a user that isn’t connected using TLS (SSL).

Example:

/mode Dimitris +Rc

This will block private messages from unregistered users and prevent messages from users outside your shared channels.

Ignore Users

You can ignore users to avoid unwanted communication.

• /ignore nickname - Ignore all messages and notices from the specified user.
• /silence nickname - Silence all messages and notifications from the specified user.

Examples:

/silence shayne

This will ignore all messages and notifications from the user "shayne."

/silence *!*@* N

This will prevent notice messages from all users.

Use an IRC Client

Consider using an IRC client for more control and additional features, such as saving ignores, user modes, nickname passwords, and more.

Tips for Protecting Yourself on IRC

Here are some important tips to protect yourself on IRC:

• Register Your Nickname: Always register your nickname with a strong password to prevent others from impersonating you on the network.
• Use Secure Passwords: Choose a password that’s unique and difficult to guess. Include a mix of upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Enable SSL Encryption: Connect to the IRC server using SSL to ensure your communication is encrypted.
• Mask Your IP Address: Use an IRC bouncer (BNC) or connect via Tor to hide your real IP address.
• Utilize Cloaking or Hostmasking: Many IRC networks allow you to mask your real hostname or IP address.
• Manage Your User Modes: Set user modes like +i (invisible) to limit visibility of your presence.
• Keep Your IRC Client Updated: Ensure your IRC client is up-to-date with the latest security patches.
• Report Abuse or Harassment: If you experience abuse or harassment, report it to channel staff immediately.
• Beware of Suspicious Links: Avoid clicking on links from unknown or untrusted sources, as they might lead to phishing sites or malware.
• Avoid Untrusted Downloads: Verify the source before downloading files from users or channels.

Tips for Protecting Yourself Online

Take general steps to protect yourself and your personal data when browsing the internet:

• Limit Personal Information: Avoid sharing personal information such as your real name, address, phone number, or email address. Don't share sensitive data such as credit card details or login credentials over unencrypted channels.

  * For more information on protecting your personal information, visit FTC's tips on avoiding identity theft.

• Beware of Phishing Scams: Be cautious of unsolicited emails, messages, or websites asking for personal information or login credentials. Always verify the source before clicking links or downloading files.

  * Learn how to spot phishing emails and scams with Phishing.org and FTC's guide.

• Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA on services that support it for an extra layer of security on your accounts.

  * TurnOn2FA.org - Learn how to set up 2FA on popular websites and services.
  * Authy.com guides for securing accounts with 2FA.

• Use Secure Websites: When making transactions or sharing sensitive information online, ensure the website is secure by checking for "https" in the URL and a padlock symbol in the browser’s address bar.

  * Learn more about secure browsing with Electronic Frontier Foundation's guide.
  * Check if a website is secure with Qualys SSL Labs.

• Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Tasks: Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured. Avoid using them for activities like logging into accounts or making purchases unless you're using a VPN.

  * Check out How to secure your Wi-Fi network for tips.

• Update Your Software Regularly: Keep your operating system, browser, and apps up-to-date with the latest security patches.

  * For a list of common software and how to update them, visit How to keep your software up-to-date.

• Beware of Fake Online Reviews: Be cautious when reading product reviews. Fake reviews can sometimes be paid or manipulated to trick consumers.

  * To learn how to spot fake reviews, visit Consumer Reports' tips on recognizing fake reviews.

• Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Avoid reusing passwords across multiple websites. Use a password manager to store and generate strong passwords.

  * Learn how to create strong passwords with FTC's guide to creating strong passwords.
  * A good password manager to use is LastPass or Bitwarden.

• Use Antivirus Software: Protect your devices from malware by using antivirus software and keeping it updated.

  * Find top-rated antivirus software recommendations at Tom's Hardware antivirus reviews.

• Back Up Your Data: Regularly back up important files and data to avoid losing them in case of a security breach or device failure.

  * Learn how to back up data securely with CNET's guide.

• Check Websites for Viruses: Before visiting unknown websites or clicking on links, use online tools to scan them for potential malware or viruses. Here are some useful tools:

  * VirusTotal - Scan websites and files for viruses with VirusTotal.
  * URLVoid - Analyze URLs for potential security threats.
  * PhishLabs - Check emails and websites for phishing attempts and malicious content.

Need Help?

If you have questions or need assistance:

• * Join the help channel: #Help
• * Visit Stay Safe Online.
• or contact us via e-mail at: support@hybridirc.com