List of IRC/chat networks that block or support Tor
Some IRC networks, by policy, don't allow access from anonymous users. Mostly, they do this because some (but not all, or even most) anonymous users are jerks, and most IRC software doesn't provide a way to block jerks more sophisticated than blocking them by IP address.(or the ability to provide new ip addresses on the fly as one can generate new .onion transports on the fly)
Becoming unblockable by target services is not a goal of the Tor project; see the FAQ entry on why this is both difficult and undesirable.
Sorting of IRC Networks suggestion: Put IRC networks supporting .onion v3 closest to the top, then .onion v2 services next and lastly normal domain names. Put those IRC networks supporting SSL closer to the top, but still keep the above sorting of v3(transport), v2(transport), normal domains consistent. ie. even an .onion v2 transport with ssl doesn't go above an .onion v3 transport without ssl, as a domain with ssl does not go higher than an .onion v2 without ssl. Also use common sense, if for example you can't find any available IRC Networks when visiting a link maybe remove it or put it at the end of the list.
Networks that block Tor
- irc.mozilla.org
- SwiftIRC
- RASnet
- IRC-Hispano
- IRCHighWay
- Undernet
- [irc://SantaAna.CA.US.Undernet.org] (blocks all relays, not just exits)
- DALnet
- SlashNet
- ThunderCity
- EFnet (most of the servers)
- [irc://irc.homelien.no]
- [irc://irc.dkom.at]
- [irc://efnet.xs4all.nl]
- [irc://efnet.demon.co.uk]
- [irc://irc.efnet.pl]
- [irc://irc.efnet.nl]
- [irc://irc.daxnet.no]
- [irc://irc.nac.net]
- [irc://irc.blackened.com]
- [irc://irc.prison.net]
- [irc://irc.lightning.net]
- [irc://irc.mindspring.com]
- [irc://irc.servercentral.net]
- [irc://irc.shoutcast.com]
- IRCNet (Netherlands, per country policies)
- ZiRC
- Psionics-Anlarye
- EsperNet
- GRNET (Greek IRC network) http://www-eng.irc.gr (En web site) http://www.irc.gr (Gr web site)
- GameSurge
- IrcQnet (based on DroneBL)
- [http://irondust.net]
- Rizon
- NNIRC
- EuIRC
- D-T-Net (german)
- SorceryNet
- PurpleSurge - when connecting "Closing Link: [::ffff:185.220.101.45] Z:Lined (Tor exit server detected. See www.sectoor.de/tor.php?ip=185.220.101.45. To inquire about this ban, please go to http://abuse.purplesurge.com and click Open New Ticket.)"
Networks that want to provide normal access to Tor or .onion transports but are currently unavailable
- QuakeNet (announcement regarding Tor) (archived version) - When attempting a connect an intention to setup their own .onion is revealed: "Closing Link: namestor by underworld2.no.quakenet.org (G-lined (Due to mass abuse Tor is temporarily banned -- we will be setting up an onion server.))"
- To quickly test if they block Tor just visit(through Tor) https://webchat.quakenet.org/ and as your nickname type 'test' and as your channel type '#test' then press the button "Join chat". You will quickly know if they block Tor after this process.
Networks that try to provide normal access to Tor or .onion and remove K-lines where respect for users privacy is unknown
This category is for IRC networks that have an intention or have managed to provide normal access to Tor though where the intentions of IRC network owners are unknown(we don't know of their intentions to preserve user privacy at any cost). Some of the items in this category haven't been researched yet, please look them up and contribute status updates whether they stay in this category or are moved to a more relevant one.
- freenode (freenode tor policy) - Direct access via Tor is K-LINED, but access via a freenode onion is provided with an already existing account (using SASL -> no anonymity). About an (admittedly somewhat naive) attempt to enhance this situation.
- Nixbits - use ircs://uuwlyffs4yepwt62.onion:6697 instead of ircs://irc.nixbits.net (client certFP advised)
- 2600.net - use ircs://awwqg2ishrohngue.onion instead of ircs://irc.2600.net (client certFP advised)
- WirelessPT - use ircs://l6xsibhkdrsdwm53.onion:6697 instead of ircs://irc.wirelesspt.net (client certFP advised)
- ChatJunkies
- ECnet WEBCHAT (allowing Tor) - [irc://ecnetworld.com:6661 clear/plain] - [ircs://ecnetworld.com:9999 clear/SSL] look also for Tor onion Service Below (ECnet IRC Tor)
- SILCnet (not IRC)
Networks that try to provide normal access to Tor or .onion and remove K-lines and show respect for users privacy
These IRC networks try to make it easier for Tor users to connect, they try to provide backup plans in case of abuse coming from Tor and they try to respect their users privacy without requiring any form of de-anonymization for registering or connecting to official channels.
- [irc://ecnetjlf2alxy2ob.onion:6661 ECnet IRC Tor/plain] - [ircs://ecnetjlf2alxy2ob.onion:9999 ECnet IRC Tor/SSL] -- ECnet IRC server with Services
- Info about ECnet IRC Server+Webchat -- ecnetjlf2alxy2ob.onion <--The Tor Blog about ECnet - onion website down 2020-04-25, non-onion website https://ecnet.org not responding on port 443 2020-04-25
- [irc://ncwkrwxpq2ikcngxq3dy2xctuheniggtqeibvgofixpzvrwpa77tozqd.onion:6667 HackInt(no SASL)] - (hackint tor policy) - use irc://dtlbunzs5b7s5sl775quwezleyeplxzicdoh3cnhm7feolxmkfd42nqd.onion:6667 (sasl) (or use their v2 .onion with sasl) instead of irc://irc.hackint.eu (client certFP advised) - TLS not available for onion - non-onion addresses ban Tor users - Anonymous registration available via Hashcash - Hashcash registration requires web browser with JavaScript
- Darkscience (faq and tor policy) [ircs://darksci3bfoka7tw.onion:6697 suggested v2 .onion address] - v3 onion not available - TLS mandatory - Requires email address verification on registration
- KernelPanic - ircs://kpanicfz4v7lrsrv.onion:6697 KernelPanic - v3 onion not available
- OFTC - (Tor information) - onion not available - TLS and TCP available - Registration available over Tor (requires combination of NickServ and web browser with JavaScript; requires solving a reCAPTCHA, which is non-free JavaScript) - Does not validate email address provided on registration
- DareNET - (tor information) ircs://irc.darenet.org:6697 DareNET - v3 and v2 onion available, TLS and TCP available - using onions requires account registration - registration requires email address verification