- Hostmask
Hostmask refers to an IRC address assigned to a client by the server. The
IRC services and bots provided by the server use this to identify the client. The hostmask looks similar to, but should not be confused with, ane-mail address . It is a combination of the nickname,ident , and hostname. If ident is not available, then the username is used after being prefixed with a tilde sign. If theIP address cannot be resolved to a validhostname , then the IP address is used instead.For security reasons, some bots only allow users with a certain hostmask to authenticate, to prevent unauthorized people from getting control of the bot by guessing the password.
Examples
Sample hostmask format with ident:
* nickname!ident@hostname.domainSample hostmask format without ident:
* nickname!~username@hostname.domainA fictional example using a hostname:
* alice!fairy@c-4a3b10d2.072-3-13626f4.cust.example.netA fictional example using an unresolvable IP address:
* bob!fxlink@192.0.34.166A channel operator can place a ban on a hostmask or part of a hostmask from entering his/her channel.Some IRC networks have a +x usermode for users to cloak their
IP address /hostname which provides some anonymity, security and protection.A fictional example with cloaking enabled on a hostname:
* alice!fairy@clk-43425.cust.wiki-isp.netA fictional example with cloaking enabled on an IP address:
* bob!fxlink@192.0.34.*See also
*vhost
*Ident
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