Michael Wood wrote: > alan c wrote: >> I have only used IRC a few times, and have only a vague idea of the >> issues around it. I noyice in UWN 27 that >> ===== >> If you are using IRC to connect to any of the Ubuntu IRC channels, the >> IRC Operator's Team would like to inform you that to make your >> connection secure you should use port 8001 when connecting to any of >> the Freenode servers. There has been a recent surge in people >> exploiting vulnerable routers of IRC users. Using port 8001 will >> prevent you from being disconnected from one of these DCC attacks. It >> is also recommended that you download and install the latest firmware >> for your router. Do note that all these attacks do is disconnect you >> from the IRC server. So to avoid being banned from a channel due to >> join and part flooding, fix your settings now. >> ===== >> >> > These kinds of attacks are quite rare and do not damage your system they > are just cause inconvenience to the user. > > They also only effect certain models and makes of (broadband) router. > > Effectively what the attacker does is send some malformed packets (data) > to your internet IP address via IRC (using DCC), > a few routers have bugs in their firmware (the on-board software) which > don't deal with these malformed packets > correctly and the connection gets reset. > > Port 8001 is immune to this attack which is why they are recommending > it. In your irc clients stored server settings you can usually > change which port it uses to connect. > >> I presume the port used is fairy easy to examine by each user, however >> the comment about router firmware suggests more complications for >> users who are not really very technically experienced (I include >> myself here). >> >> > If you're rarely on IRC I wouldn't give this much thought.
I plan to hopefully use it more as time passes because it is a major communications facility for ubuntu information. However, the more that complications that arise the more likely it will be postponed etc. -- alan cocks Kubuntu user#10391 -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/