In order to grasp the importance of using proxies for Internet Relay Chat (IRC) and where to locate the optimal IRC proxies, it is necessary to have a better understanding of both IRC and proxy servers. Let us delve into the details.
What Is IRC?
Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a messaging system developed in the 1980s that allows users to communicate in group chatrooms, known as channels, and provides features such as private messaging, file transfer, and data exchange. Despite the emergence of many more modern communication platforms and the lack of upgrades to IRC, it is still in use today, 33 years later. Anyone can find a channel that fits their interests, whether it is to contribute or get help on a particular topic.
To use IRC, a client program is required as it is implemented as an app layer protocol providing text-based communication. It follows the client-server networking model, meaning users need a client to access the service. These clients are standard software programs that can be installed on any major operating system. Alternatively, some online clients are available that can be used via web browsers with an internet connection.
What Are Proxies?
Proxy servers act as a middleman between you and the internet. They receive your requests, process them, and send them to the destination website or service as if they are coming from a different device and location. This way, websites and services won’t be able to see your real IP, location, or any other identifiable information. Meanwhile, web responses are sent back to your device after being received by the proxy server, allowing you to view the content you asked for.
Services like OneProxy offer millions of IP addresses from different locations, so you can choose whatever you need to appear as if you’re in another country when surfing the internet and accessing sites. This helps keep your IP and location private, thus protecting your identity, data, and device from hackers and cyber-attacks.
Reasons to Use a Proxy for IRC Privacy
Many IRC users prefer to keep their connections private, although this depends on who they are talking to and what they are discussing. Proxy servers provide maximum online privacy by masking your IP address so that other IRC users cannot view your personal information. Without a proxy, your IP address can reveal your location, name, internet service provider, browser type, type of browsing device, and other sensitive data. To protect your privacy, you must use a proxy server to switch your IP address and mask your personal details. It is important to be aware that some IRC servers have anti-proxy software which can detect and block proxy users from connecting. Therefore, it is essential to choose the right proxy server for secure IRC communication.
What Are the Best Proxies for IRC?
It is highly recommended to avoid using free proxies, as they are slow, unreliable and can put your sensitive data at risk. For a more reliable and secure proxy option, you should opt for a premium provider that offers static residential proxies. OneProxy is a trusted proxy provider, providing static residential proxies from real devices associated with ISP-provided IP addresses, instead of proxy farms. This means that online servers will recognize these proxies as normal visitors.