DIYbanter - View Single Post

(DoN. Nichols) wrote in
:

I saw it, but decided not to reply.

I have always opted to never run an IRC client (let alone a
server) on any of my systems. They were not written with security in
mind, and it is too easy for trojans to be uploaded and activated by
them.

Lets dispel this unfounded rumor right here. It is as safe as any other
program that accesses the internet, and infinately more safe than IE.
In order for a trojan to get on your system through IRC, *YOU*, as the
Executive Keyboard Operations Manager of your computer system, would
have to either 1) accept, receive, then specifically execute a file
containing a trojan , or 2) open a http:// link in an unpatched, or
insecurely set up IE, to a website which contained malacious code. On
this server, the likelyhood of 1 occuring is virtually nil, as all known
trojan filetype extentions are blocked at the server from transfer
initiation. You wouldn't even know someone tried it, but they would, as
they would automatically have file send priviledges revoked, and it
sends a message to the administrator, who has the right to removed the
offending user from the system entirely. As for 2, in over a year of
operation, noone has posted an infected link. In addition, the chances
of this would likely be less than your chances of this during daily
surfing of the web with a browser

Besides -- if I understand the operation of IRC properly, it is
a real-time medium. I need to be awake and logged in at the same time
as whoever else I am chatting with (like the unix "talk" program,
which I also did not like when I used it).

I far prefer being able to hold a discussion in non-real-time,
as I keep strange hours, and there are people all over the world in
this newsgroup (and thus, presumably in your IRC channel, if it takes
off as you desire.) The real-time nature of an IRC chanel would limit
who could take part in any given discussion.

Also -- this newsgroup is automatically archived, and can be
consulted months or years later (through the proper systems). Does
this apply to what you offer?

I will agree on those points. This service is not a replacement for the
newsgroup. It is just an extra venue for the users who may wish to
converse a topic in real time, vs. the hours or even days it may take
for a newsgroup post to propagate throughout the system. The users from
the other newsgroup who use the service find it a valuable asset. There
are many problem-solving things done, where you can work through a
problem in real time. i.e. You can get some ideas on what to check, or
look at. Go look or try something, come back in a few minutes and give
results...and then the process repeats until a solution is found.

The folks who currently use the IRC service are all knowledgeable in a
variety of subjects related to machining, several own thier own
business, some do repair work, others have vast years of experience in
cutting just about anything. All are friendly, willing to help, and all
around good folks.

--
Anthony

You can't 'idiot proof' anything....every time you try, they just make
better idiots.

Remove sp to reply via email