IRC
Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a protocol that facilitates real-time text communication between users. It allows users to join channels, engage in group discussions, or have private conversations. IRC is widely used for group communication and has been a staple in online communities for decades.
What is IRC
Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a protocol that enables real-time text communication between users over the internet. Developed in the late 1980s by Jarkko Oikarinen, IRC quickly became a popular means of communication for online communities. Users can join channels, which are essentially chat rooms, to participate in group discussions or engage in private conversations with other users.
IRC operates on a client-server model, where users connect to an IRC server using an IRC client. The server relays messages between users, ensuring that everyone in a channel can see the messages sent by others. This decentralized approach allows for a robust and scalable communication system.
Over the years, IRC has been used for various purposes, including technical support, collaborative projects, and social interaction. Despite the rise of modern messaging platforms, IRC remains popular among certain communities due to its simplicity, flexibility, and the ability to create custom bots and scripts to enhance functionality.
IRC runs on TCP and UDP port 194 and is official IANA port.Security risk
If port 194 is open and the IRC service is running, it can be a target for abuse, including spam, DDoS attacks, and unauthorized access. Proper security measures, such as authentication and encryption, should be implemented to mitigate these risks.
In our UFW tutorial you can follow instructions how you can configure UFW to close port 194. Use StackChanges to monitor if the IRC port is closed and stays closed. StackChanges will send an alert if port 194 is open again.