Anonymous IRC

Subject2: Lurker adds another Thread...

Many people, I assume, have used, or at least heard of IRC.  For those of
you who haven't, it is a real time chat system made up of many servers
that clients(users) connect to.  Once connected the user can talk to
pretty much anyone else on the system.  It is similar to CIS's CB and
other CB simulators/chat-lines.  For more info, ftp to CSA.BU.EDU and look
in the "/irc" directory, both servers and clients can be found.

The current "problem" with irc is that when you connect, anyone can figure
out who you are.  Or if you have "hacked" up the standard client, people
can figure out your hostname.  This doesn't allow private/anonymous
connections to happen.

The "fix" I decided was to modify the server code and make all connections
completely anonymous.  Anonyminity is to all, the Server keeps no
long-term records of the machines it is connected to, and the only
connection information it keeps is in socket information.  Owning the
Server does not give you access to Clients information.  Now, the only way
people are identified by, is their chosen Nickname or alias.  I have this
server up and running on my own machine with basically no one using it
currently.  I would like to see what people think, pros & cons, of
real-time anonymous chat.

If you would like more information, you can send me email.  Or you can
either compile your own client, or run an existing one.  Change your
server to "DROWN.SLIP.ANDREW.CMU.EDU", and you should connect.

Disclaimer: Since this is still an experimental server, no guarentee
will/can be made about your protection.

-Matt
(panzer@drown.slip.andrew.cmu.edu)

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----

And verily Panzer Boy doth spake unto thee:

> The "fix" I decided was to modify the server code and make all connections
> completely anonymous.  Anonyminity is to all, the Server keeps no
> long-term records of the machines it is connected to, and the only
> connection information it keeps is in socket information.  Owning the
> Server does not give you access to Clients information.  Now, the only way
> people are identified by, is their chosen Nickname or alias.  I have this
> server up and running on my own machine with basically no one using it
> currently.  I would like to see what people think, pros & cons, of
> real-time anonymous chat.

Obviously you have not used IRC much... I think this idea would be exceptionally
bad. On IRC, for those that have not used it, there are channel operators 
(chops) on each channel. They have the power to kick and ban people from the
channel, if they are being abusive or exremely irritating (eg flooding everyone)
. By removing the client information, you remove the efficiency of a ban (usu
it applys the the person's userid from any machine on the same domain)... This
would make it very easy for one person in a bad mood to ruin a channel for 
everyone. And believe me, there are usually serveral people of that kind on
the net.

Perhaps you could set up your own IRC net (similar to the undernet) and have it
anonymous, but I would highly recommend against trying this on the standard IRC
net.

                                                        -- S.

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: 2.2

iQCVAgUBLHU0my0bkpXW3omvAQGXzAP/ZN6XuQ+WUcndenDVHZ+D3RFxwRR/6gAU
Qi2SbhjaBnBj2jJAgimMx6U8zEIlAGk1CQaoWpigi1vZAUwChw9NqXGmRePHHYho
8lwj6GbJZqY5Av0cb0ytdssFcgSwGr5oGbv0JPcceoAL7Hqg+UJGsZ2PfZXwuJhd
QWbC9a5J28c=
=Z53c
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

On Fri, 20 Aug 1993, Skye Merlin Poier wrote:
> Obviously you have not used IRC much... I think this idea would be exceptionally
> bad. On IRC, for those that have not used it, there are channel operators 
> (chops) on each channel. They have the power to kick and ban people from the
> channel, if they are being abusive or exremely irritating (eg flooding everyone)
> . By removing the client information, you remove the efficiency of a ban (usu
> it applys the the person's userid from any machine on the same domain)... This
> would make it very easy for one person in a bad mood to ruin a channel for 
> everyone. And believe me, there are usually serveral people of that kind on
> the net.
> 
> Perhaps you could set up your own IRC net (similar to the undernet) and have it
> anonymous, but I would highly recommend against trying this on the standard IRC
> net.

Actually I have used IRC for quite some time.  I have also noticed that
most of the time there is not much of a problem in "annoying" people. 
Also the power of the Operator is much in question when it comes to
banning people, as to how easy it is to overcome being "banned" from a
channel.  You make the example of how anyone in a "bad mood" can ruin the
channel for everyone.  This is something you have to deal with.  Ask
people running Anonymous Remailers, and Anonymous Posting Services.

I did not intend to connect this up with the "Normal IRC Network".  That
would be a little rude on my part.  Allowing people to become anonymous
only on my server.  Also I would suspect most other people who run servers
would not let mine conenct to theirs.

I am not trying to start up a server to be in competition with the "Normal
IRC Network".  I want an alternative for people who wish to talk, but
don't wish their identity known.

-Matt
(panzer@drown.slip.andrew.cmu.edu)