full-disclosure - Why is IRC still around?

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Message-ID: <419E4166.4030308@sdf.lonestar.org>
From: bkfsec at sdf.lonestar.org (bkfsec)
Subject: Why is IRC still around?

Danny wrote:

>Well, it sure does help the anti-virus (anti-malware) and security
>consulting business, but besides that... is it not safe to say that:
>
>1) A hell of a lot of viruses/worms/trojans use IRC to wreck further havoc?
>2) A considerable amount of "script kiddies" originate and grow through IRC?
>3) A wee bit of software piracy occurs?
>4) That many organized DoS attacks through PC zombies are initiated through IRC?
>5) The anonymity of the whole thing helps to foster all the illegal
>and malicious activity that occurs?
>The list goes on and on...
>
>Sorry to offend those that use IRC legitimately (LOL - find something
>else to chat with your buddies), but why the hell are we not pushing
>to sunset IRC?
>
>What would IT be like today without IRC (or the like)? Am I narrow
>minded to say that it would be a much safer place?
>
>  
>
I don't think that it would have any impact at all with regard to 
stopping malware and crackers.

Even if the legitimate IRC servers were shut down, it would still be a 
simple matter for them to create their own servers on non-standard 
ports.  Barring their ability to do that, they'll completely move to IM 
or P2P protocols (like WASTE) to carry out their attacks.  They've 
already created the tools to do this and they're actively doing it right 
now.

In fact, in this regard IRC is a godsend with regard to tracking down 
attackers.  It's easier to determine the location of an IRC bot and to 
track unencrypted IRC traffic than it is to track WASTE packets or IM 
connections. 

Protocols (and their implementations) aren't causing the "illegal 
activity" as much as the drive to carry out illegal acts is. 

             -Barry