Getting started with IRC
Using IRC as an OSINT tool.
UNDERSTANDING IRC
IRC which means Internet Relay Chat is a textext-based system for instant messaging designed for groups and private messaging for people of common interest. IRC which is a tool for Open Source Intelligence Gathering can also allow its users to transfer and file sharing.
IRC was created by Jarko Oikarinen in August 1988 to replace a program called Multi-User talk at the University of Oulu, Finland when he was working in the department of information and Processing Science.
IRC has been working over the years and spread over the internet in mid-1989 with over 40 servers worldwide as one of the earliest text-based chat platforms.
The largest IRC network has traditionally been grouped into 4; which include Efnet, IRCnet, Undernet & Dalnet. Unfortunately, IRC has witnessed a significant decline over the years losing around 60% of its users between 2003 and 2012. From 6 million users in 2001 to 10 million in 2003 and then to 317 thousand in 2018.
So many people have been asking if IRC is still in use in this contemporary time and what makes it different from other chat-based instant messaging applications. The answer is YES! IRC are still very much in use especially by OSINT experts as that platform is a great tool for intelligence gathering. how can one get IRC? I have identified a few steps to help you start in IRC;
1. Download the IRC client preferable for your operating system: For the windows operating system, you can download clients such as MIRC, Weechat, FOO IRC, Icechat, Pidgin etc. For Mac iOS, you can use; Textual, Limechat, Xchat, Equal or Azure while for Linux, you can get Konversation, Irssi, and ERC.
2. Install and register an account in the IRC, for a window OS user like me, I have downloaded MiRC and Pidgin and created an account using my sockpuppet identity to avoid leaving any form of digital footprint.
3. On the home of the application, you can create a new instant message or join in a chat where you find a channel of your interest and start a conversation. for me, I have searched for threat actors channel, Linux village, and digital ocean using room list.
After joining a room, you can see the number of people in the channel and join the conversation and explore as much as you can.
Why is IRC important for cyber threat intelligence analysts?
IRC is a communication platform that enables you to relate with Individuals and groups in your area of interest through the channels. It helps you build a network with people of similar interests.
√ It has an SSL encryption provision which shows that there is a high level of privacy for its users.
√ You can access your friend’s list
√ It has a messaging loggings
√ It has a notification system
√ A system tray alerts.
√ IRC good tool for information gathering for cyber security experts.
Try it from your end.
#YourCyberGirl 🤗🤗🤗💙💙