I’ve been on the Internet for a number of years. I usually consider myself pretty computer-savvy, but on this topic, I just don’t feel comfortable.
Years ago, I used to venture onto IRC (Internet Relay Chat) using a program called mIRC. Viruses and spam and trojans weren’t the worry we have today, and I enjoyed using the chat. However, with today’s security concerns, I’m not as comfortable going back onto IRC. I remember hearing some safety warnings a number of years ago about mIRC. I’m sure they’re fixed by now. But I don’t know if there are other things I should be worrying about if I go on IRC.
I have a firewall. I have anti-virus that is regularly updated. I have all the recommended Windows updates for my PC installed.
Is it safe for me to go on IRC? Is there something special I should be doing to make it safe?
This is my first thread…please be gentle! 
Welcome to the SDMB.
Now I’m sure someone with actual knowledge will be along shortly.
Sure. Don’t open files from people you don’t know.
You may already know this, but to clarify, “mIRC” and “IRC” are two completely different things. “mIRC” is a program that can be used to access and interact on the “IRC” network. There is one IRC network, but there are many programs such as mIRC that can be used to access it (IRCle and JediKnight come to mind).
Or, for the more math-minded, mIRC is to IRC as Internet Explorer is to the world wide web.
Relevant here because a security flaw with mIRC doesn’t necessarily affect, say, me, who uses JediKnight, although we’re both on the IRC network. Much like a lot of the problems with Outlook Express won’t affect other people who send/receive e-mail.
Hmmm…
I started using trillian about a month ago. That’s the first time I heard of IRC. Can someone explain it to me?
I’m somewhat tech savvy, so feel free to use big words 
On Trillian, IRC is the middle light. The grey one. If you’d like to join the regulars in #straightdope on Undernet, click the grey light, click Connection Manager, go the Undernet folder, pick a server, enter a nick you like, then click connect. Then you’ll have to try 8-10 servers, cause Trillian’s list sucks. Or, if you like, you can enter this: Miami.FL.US.Undernet.Org in servername, pick port 6667 and press Connect.
Click the grey light again and select Toggle Status Window. When the status window is done scrolling a buncha stuff, type in /join #straightdope A new window should pop up and you’ll be there.
IRC is the chat for the cool Internet dorks.
So you’re saying that file transfers from unknown people is the only thing I’d really need to worry about when participating on IRC?
As far as I understand it, yes. I was a regular in #straightdope for a couple of years (actually more, come to think of it) and I never, ever got a virus or worm or anything else malicious.
Speaking as a longtime user of IRC, I’ve never noticed much trouble.
Primary things of concern :
**Shared services ** - if you have a service like a printer on your computer that is “network shared” without proper security, or a “network shared” folder, folks could conceivably get to that.
**Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks ** - Nukes and UDP Floods, f’rinstance. Nukes are malformed data sent to screw up your computer’s processing, sometimes forcing a reboot. Flooding is just sending nonsensical packets to your computer and choking off your bandwidth.
I must say, my computer isn’t as secured as yours seems to be, and I haven’t been subject to a DoS attack in years. And there aren’t any shared services by default. You should be fine, but don’t go deliberately ticking people off or hanging out in illegal software trading venues. That’s just asking for a “script kiddie” to come along and try to mess with you.
You’ll be fine as long as your firewall is up and working.
Unknown file transfers are the only real worry. Of course, you could also piss someone off and have them try some sort of DOS attack on you but it’s pretty rare unless you’re heading into #warez where lots of script kitties exist.
Mostly the warnings on IRC are for young kids. Because IRC is like walking into a bar with no rear control on where you are and who you talk to (at least in ICQ you can deny anyone you don’t know).
I’m a regular in #straightdope and have been on IRC since 1996. I have never once had a problem from a virus or a DoS attack. Don’t set mIRC up to automatically accept files and don’t piss anyone off and you generally won’t have a problem.
Robin
It’s much safer if you don’t use mIRC. Kinda like the web is much safer if you don’t use IE.