full-disclosure - Why is IRC still around?

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Message-ID: <addc34c60411191220ce9f9ef@mail.gmail.com>
From: nocmonkey at gmail.com (Danny)
Subject: Why is IRC still around?

On Fri, 19 Nov 2004 12:17:09 -0800, Mister Coffee
<live4java@...rmcenter.net> wrote:
> 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?
>  >
> And?  There are a hell of a lot of "normal" users on IRC too who don't
> wreck havoc.  A lot of spam comes in email.  Does that make email bad?
> 
> > 2) A considerable amount of "script kiddies" originate and grow through IRC?
>  >
> And AIM, ICQ, Jabber, web-forums, mailing lists, etc.  IRC is one medium
> amungst many.
> 
> > 3) A wee bit of software piracy occurs?
> >
> Some, perhaps.  But unlike, say BitTorrent or Kazaa, IRC's primary role
> is communication rather than file transfer.  You could make the same
> argument for ANY of the IM clients that support file transfer.
> 
> > 4) That many organized DoS attacks through PC zombies are initiated through IRC?
>  >
> Many do.  Yes.  But many also originate through other media, and, again,
>   it's not the medium's fault that people use it for nefarious purposes.
>   Hitmen get calls on their cell phones.  Should we eliminate cell
> phones to stop the hitmen?
> 
> > 5) The anonymity of the whole thing helps to foster all the illegal
> > and malicious activity that occurs?
> > The list goes on and on...
> > 
> Anonymity is not a bad thing in many, man, respects.  And the list of
> legitimate uses goes on and on as well.
> 
> > 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?
> > 
> No offense.  But the arguments aren't especially strong.  We're not
> pushing to sunset the IRC protocol because there are still thousands and
> thousands of -legitimate- users in the world.  Unlike most IM systems,
> the IRC nets are completely independant.  There are some serious
> advantages to that.
> 
> > 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?
> > 
> Yes?
> 
> IRC is a protocol.  A tool like any other.  Last I looked there were
> still hundreds to thousands of IRC users at any given time who were
> there just to hang out and BS with their friends.   It's still a valid
> "community" if you will, in spite of the nefarious uses other people
> have put it to.
> 
> If you sunset something like IRC, the 3v1L h@...3z will just move their
> bots and trojans somewhere else.

Well said. Thanks for your time.

...D