Stay Safe Online

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Protecting Yourself

While every effort is made to maintain a safe online experience for everyone, it's important to take measures to protect yourself. Here are some steps you can follow:

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Set User Modes (umodes)

Use umodes to prevent unwanted messages.

  • /mode your_nickname +R - Prevent unregistered nicknames from private messaging you.
  • /mode your_nickname +D - Prevent anyone from private messaging you.
  • /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 to your client.
  • /mode your_nickname +z - Prevent messages from being sent to or received from a user that is not connected using TLS (SSL).

Example: 

/mode Dimitris +Rc

Prevents unregistered nicknames from private messaging you and blocks messages from users outside your shared channels.

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Ignore Users

Utilize the ignore feature to completely ignore a user.

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

Examples: 

/silence shayne

Ignore all messages and notifications from the user named "shayne." 

/silence *!*@* N

Prevents notice messages from all users.

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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.

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Tips for Protecting Yourself Online

  • 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.
  • Limit Personal Information: Avoid sharing personal information such as your real name, address, or phone number.
  • 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.
  • Beware of Suspicious Links: Avoid clicking on links from unknown or untrusted sources.
  • Avoid Untrusted Downloads: Verify the source before downloading files from users or channels.
  • Keep Your IRC Client Updated: Ensure your IRC client is up-to-date with the latest security patches.
  • Manage Your User Modes: Set user modes like +i (invisible) to limit visibility of your presence.
  • Report Abuse or Harassment: Report any abuse or suspicious behavior to network administrators or IRCops.

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Final Steps

If you’ve tried the above tips but are still encountering issues, follow these steps:

Gather Evidence

Take screenshots or record incidents of harassment, abuse, or suspicious behavior. Capture details such as usernames, timestamps, and chat logs.

Report the Issue

Submit your evidence and a detailed description of the incident to: 

abuse@hybridirc.com

Our support team will review your case and take appropriate action.

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
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