Stay Safe Online: Difference between revisions

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     <li>* '''/mode your_nickname +R''' - Prevent unregistered nicknames from private messaging you.</li>
     <li>'''/mode your_nickname +R''' - Prevent unregistered nicknames from private messaging you.</li>
     <li>* '''/mode your_nickname +D''' - Block all private messages.</li>
     <li>'''/mode your_nickname +D''' - Block all private messages.</li>
     <li>* '''/mode your_nickname +c''' - Block messages and notices from users outside your shared channels.</li>
     <li>'''/mode your_nickname +c''' - Block messages and notices from users outside your shared channels.</li>
     <li>* '''/mode your_nickname +V''' - Block all invites from other users.</li>
     <li>'''/mode your_nickname +V''' - Block all invites from other users.</li>
     <li>* '''/mode your_nickname +T''' - Prevent users from sending all types of CTCPs (like version checks) to your client.</li>
     <li>'''/mode your_nickname +T''' - Prevent users from sending all types of CTCPs (like version checks) to your client.</li>
     <li>* '''/mode your_nickname +z''' - Prevent messages from being sent to or received from a user that isn’t connected using TLS (SSL).</li>
     <li>'''/mode your_nickname +z''' - Prevent messages from being sent to or received from a user that isn’t connected using TLS (SSL).</li>
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<div style="background-color: #2c3e50; border-left: 5px solid #007acc; padding: 10px; margin-bottom: 15px; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);">
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   <ul style="list-style-type: none; padding: 0; font-size: 1.05em; color: #ecf0f1; line-height: 1.6;">
     <li>* '''/ignore nickname''' - Ignore all messages and notices from the specified user.</li>
     <li>'''/ignore nickname''' - Ignore all messages and notices from the specified user.</li>
     <li>* '''/silence nickname''' - Silence all messages and notifications from the specified user.</li>
     <li>'''/silence nickname''' - Silence all messages and notifications from the specified user.</li>
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     <li><strong>Mask Your IP Address:</strong> Use an IRC bouncer (BNC) or connect via Tor to hide your real IP address.</li>
     <li><strong>Mask Your IP Address:</strong> Use an IRC bouncer (BNC) or connect via Tor to hide your real IP address.</li>
     <li><strong>Utilize Cloaking or Hostmasking:</strong> Many IRC networks allow you to mask your real hostname or IP address.</li>
     <li><strong>Utilize Cloaking or Hostmasking:</strong> Many IRC networks allow you to mask your real hostname or IP address.</li>
     <li><strong>Manage Your User Modes:</strong> Set user modes like '''+i''' (invisible) to limit visibility of your presence.</li>
     <li><strong>Manage Your User Modes:</strong> Set user modes like <code>+i</code> (invisible) to limit visibility of your presence.</li>
     <li><strong>Keep Your IRC Client Updated:</strong> Ensure your IRC client is up-to-date with the latest security patches.</li>
     <li><strong>Keep Your IRC Client Updated:</strong> Ensure your IRC client is up-to-date with the latest security patches.</li>
     <li><strong>Report Abuse or Harassment:</strong> If you experience abuse or harassment, report it to channel staff immediately.</li>
     <li><strong>Report Abuse or Harassment:</strong> If you experience abuse or harassment, report it to channel staff immediately.</li>
     <li><strong>Beware of Suspicious Links:</strong> Avoid clicking on links from unknown or untrusted sources, as they might lead to phishing sites or malware.</li>
     <li><strong>Beware of Suspicious Links:</strong> Avoid clicking on links from unknown or untrusted sources, as they might lead to phishing sites or malware.</li>
     <li><strong>Avoid Untrusted Downloads:</strong> Verify the source before downloading files from users or channels.</li>
     <li><strong>Avoid Untrusted Downloads:</strong> Verify the source before downloading files from users or channels.</li>
    <li><strong>Do Not Share Personal Information:</strong> Avoid sharing your real name, email, phone number, home address, or other private details on IRC. Malicious users may exploit this information for phishing, doxing, or social engineering attacks.</li>
   </ul>
   </ul>
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<h2 style="font-size: 1.5em; color: #ffffff;">Tips for Protecting Yourself Online</h2>
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<div style="background-color: #2c3e50; border-left: 5px solid #007acc; padding: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);">
   <p style="color: #ecf0f1; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: bold;">⚠ Disclaimer: The network staff do not take responsibility for the information that passes through the network. Users should exercise caution and take necessary precautions to protect themselves.</p>
   <ul style="list-style-type: none; padding: 0; font-size: 1.05em; color: #ecf0f1; line-height: 1.6;">
    <li>
      <strong>Limit Personal Information:</strong> 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.
      <ul>
        <li>* [https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0272-how-avoid-identity-theft <span style="color: #3498db;">FTC's tips on avoiding identity theft</span>]</li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Beware of Phishing Scams:</strong> 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.
      <ul>
        <li>* [https://www.phishing.org <span style="color: #3498db;">Phishing.org</span>]</li>
        <li>* [https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams <span style="color: #3498db;">FTC's guide on recognizing phishing scams</span>]</li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):</strong> Enable 2FA on services that support it for an extra layer of security on your accounts.
      <ul>
        <li>* [https://www.turnon2fa.org <span style="color: #3498db;">TurnOn2FA.org</span>] - Learn how to set up 2FA on popular websites and services.</li>
        <li>* [https://www.authy.com/guides/2fa/ <span style="color: #3498db;">Authy.com guides for securing accounts with 2FA</span>]</li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Use Secure Websites:</strong> 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.
      <ul>
        <li>* [https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/07/https-privacy-and-security-explained <span style="color: #3498db;">Electronic Frontier Foundation's guide</span>]</li>
        <li>* [https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/ <span style="color: #3498db;">Qualys SSL Labs</span>] - Check if a website is secure</li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Tasks:</strong> 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.
      <ul>
        <li>* [https://www.norton.com/blogs/norton-protection/secure-your-wifi <span style="color: #3498db;">How to secure your Wi-Fi network</span>]</li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Update Your Software Regularly:</strong> Keep your operating system, browser, and apps up-to-date with the latest security patches.
      <ul>
        <li>* [https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-how-to-keep-software-up-to-date <span style="color: #3498db;">How to keep your software up-to-date</span>]</li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Beware of Fake Online Reviews:</strong> Be cautious when reading product reviews. Fake reviews can sometimes be paid or manipulated to trick consumers.
      <ul>
        <li>* [https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/spot-fake-reviews.htm <span style="color: #3498db;">Consumer Reports' tips on recognizing fake reviews</span>]</li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Use Strong, Unique Passwords:</strong> Avoid reusing passwords across multiple websites. Use a password manager to store and generate strong passwords.
      <ul>
        <li>* [https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-create-strong-password <span style="color: #3498db;">FTC's guide to creating strong passwords</span>]</li>
        <li>* [https://www.lastpass.com <span style="color: #3498db;">LastPass</span>]</li>
        <li>* [https://www.bitwarden.com <span style="color: #3498db;">Bitwarden</span>]</li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Use Antivirus Software:</strong> Protect your devices from malware by using antivirus software and keeping it updated.
      <ul>
        <li>* [https://www.tomshardware.com/review/10-best-antivirus-software-for-pc-2023 <span style="color: #3498db;">Tom's Hardware antivirus reviews</span>]</li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Back Up Your Data:</strong> Regularly back up important files and data to avoid losing them in case of a security breach or device failure.
      <ul>
        <li>* [https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/how-to-back-up-your-data/ <span style="color: #3498db;">CNET's guide to backing up your data</span>]</li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Check Websites for Viruses:</strong> Before visiting unknown websites or clicking on links, use online tools to scan them for potential malware or viruses. Here are some useful tools:
      <ul>
        <li>* [https://www.virustotal.com <span style="color: #3498db;">VirusTotal</span>] - Scan websites and files for viruses</li>
        <li>* [https://www.urlvoid.com <span style="color: #3498db;">URLVoid</span>] - Analyze URLs for potential security threats</li>
        <li>* [https://www.phishlabs.com <span style="color: #3498db;">PhishLabs</span>] - Check emails and websites for phishing attempts and malicious content</li>
      </ul>
    </li>
  </ul>
</div>
</div>

Latest revision as of 11:29, 19 February 2025

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.
  • Do Not Share Personal Information: Avoid sharing your real name, email, phone number, home address, or other private details on IRC. Malicious users may exploit this information for phishing, doxing, or social engineering attacks.

⚠ Disclaimer: The network staff do not take responsibility for the information that passes through the network. Users should exercise caution and take necessary precautions to protect themselves.

Retrieved from ‘https://wiki.hybridirc.com/mw/index.php?title=Stay_Safe_Online&oldid=823’