How to Change the IRC Hostmask

Internet Relay Chat, or IRC, is a specialized form of Internet communication. Users connect to IRC servers with IRC software so that they can communicate via online, text-based chat. An IRC hostmask is the identifying address that an IRC server assigns to each user when that user connects. The hostmask is made up of multiple components depending on the way the user has connected to the server, and the settings on the server itself. However, hostmask information typically includes the user's IRC nickname, IDENT information, and hostnet. For example, for a user with the IRC nickname "billy", IDENT information "daisy" and hostname "sample.com", the hostmask would be billy![e-mail]. You can change the IRC hostmask you have been assigned by changing your IRC nickname.

Instructions

1. Open your preferred IRC software and connect to your IRC server.

2. Confirm your current hostmask using the WHOIS command. Type /whois followed by your current nickname. In this example you would type:

   /whois billy

   Press "Enter".

3. Note the hostmask displayed in the IRC display window. For this example, the hostmask would be billy![e-mail]

4. Change the nickname component of the hostmask using the NICK command. Type /nick followed by a new IRC nickname such as bobby. In this example you would type:

   /nick bobby

   Press "Enter". This changes your nickname.

5. Use the WHOIS command to display your hostmask with the new nickname. Type:

   /whois bobby

   Verify that the hostmask displayed in the IRC display window has been changed to bobby![e-mail] to complete the process.

References

• Standards specification including commands for IRC from the Internet Engineering Task Force

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish