Many users are on IRC from systems behind firewalls. Firewalls can provide an additional layer of security for systems which would otherwise be directly exposed to the internet, especially those systems with 24/7 connections to the internet. This guide provides a complete overview of technical terms and issues related to firewall use, then at the end there are lots of useful links to more specific or advanced guides as necessary, such as specific recommendations for firewall software, or fixing DCC send problems for Linksys routers, Windows XP, etc.
You should read through the whole table of contents below (it's just 18 questions) to make sure you know what is in this FAQ. That way you can just jump to the questions that affect you. Then, if you're trying to solve a specific problem, you may elect to look through the links at the very end.
Disclaimer
Some of the solutions and advice presented here may have an adverse affect on the security of a firewall and the systems protected by it. If you do not have a thorough understanding of your network, do not attempt to apply any of the information presented, and instead seek direct assistance from a network security professional. We do not take any responsibility for your use of the information presented here (see our official disclaimer). USE THIS FAQ AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Traditionally, a firewall has been a dedicated piece of hardware meant to allow two networks to communicated in a limited way. A typical setup is to allow users behind the firewall to access web pages and email without allowing users on the outside to access any computers on the internal network. In recent years, software firewalls have come into use, and they pose a cost effective solution for many users, such as those with home or small office broadband networks. Note that Windows XP (prior to SP2) comes with a software firewall built in called Internet Connection Firewall, which is often the source of connection problems. Windows XP systems running Service Pack 2 have a much more functional "Windows Firewall" which replaces the problematic "Internet Connection Firewall"
- This is a more functional replacement for the problematic Internet Connection Firewall present in Windows XP. It's added by installing Service Pack 2, and for users without any other firewall protection, its recomended that this firewall be left enabled. Windows Firewall still only affects incoming connections, however, the ability to add exceptions on a per-application as well as a per-port basis has been added. Detailed information on this firewall can be found at this Microsoft Support Knowledge Base article. Note that unlike the Internet Connection Firewall, if you turn off the Windows Firewall completely and don't have another recognized firewall application installed, you'll be periodically reminded to re-enable it
- Zone Labs, Inc. - makers of ZoneAlarm personal firewall
- ZoneAlarm - IRC issues
- Norton Personal Firewall
- McAfee Personal Firewal
- For mIRC or Windows:
- Proxies and Firewalls, by the makers of mIRC, provides Windows help with proxies.
- DCC Help - a list of URLs from DALnet #mIRC helpers, includes many of the ones listed below and then some, such as specific fixes for certain router brands or software firewalls.
- mIRC and ICS, a log of an IRC chat where users discuss how to do NAT and proxy and allow DCC/CTCP protocols to continue to function in mIRC.
- Using mIRC with... ICS, Firewalls, and Wingate. Detailed configuration advice, but assumes you know more than the beginner.
- Microsoft ICS Related FAQ - from HomeNetHelp.com, includes help on installation, using protocols like IRC, ICQ, etc.
- mIRC message boards - connection issues forum: when all else fails, the mIRC forums are a great place for the patient reader to dig up specific information for that weird router brand, or just to ask your question.
- Ircle and firewalls FAQ for Mac OS
- Mac OS X Security - Apple's official site
- Toward a Hack-proof Mac - a plain-English Business Week story describing the risks of OS X and firewall issues.
- BrickHouse and FireWalk - GUIs for configuring Mac OS X's firewall.
- Setting Up a Firewall Under OpenBSD by O'Reilly
- Linux Network Address Translation: theory and specific application of firewall and NAT technology for Linux
- Linux IP Masquerade Resource: definitive source and resource for Linux IP masquerade information and downloads. Good basic introduction information from the people writing the IPMasq HOWTO for Linux.
- Setting up OpenBSD 2.7 as a cable NAT system
- OpenBSD Networking FAQ - includes NAT/Firewall
- Setting up a FreeBSD system as a NAT/Firewall/Router
- FreeBSD Networking Articles: a really nice resource with articles on just about every networking issue imaginable, brought to us by our EFnet neighbors at #freeBSDhelp
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