Misplaced Pages

MIRC: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 05:27, 29 May 2010 editMC10 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, File movers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers26,589 edits fix link← Previous edit Latest revision as of 23:14, 27 December 2024 edit undoTsvetomira the Librarian (talk | contribs)90 editsNo edit summary 
(305 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Internet Relay Chat (IRC) client for Microsoft Windows}}
{{lowercase}} {{lowercase}}
{{Infobox Software {{Infobox software
| name = mIRC | name = mIRC
| logo = ] | logo = Mircnewlogo.png
| screenshot = ] | screenshot = MIRC Screenshot.png
| caption = Screenshot of mIRC 6.35 running on ], displaying a channel chat on ] | caption = Screenshot of an unmodified mIRC 7.27 running on ]
| author = | author = Khaled Mardam-Bey
| developer = mIRC Co. Ltd. (Khaled Mardam-Bey) | developer = mIRC Co. Ltd.
| released = {{Start date|1995|02|28}} | released = {{Release date|1995|02|28|df=y}}
| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q211680|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| frequently updated = yes<!-- Release version update? Don't edit this page, just click on the version number! -->
| latest release date = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q211680|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| programming language = ]/] (originally ])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mirc.com/khaled/faq.html|title=Khaled's Nutshell: Frequently Asked Questions|accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref>
| latest preview version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q211680|P348|P548=Q51930650}}
| operating system = ]
| latest preview date = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q211680|P348|P548=Q51930650|P577}}
| platform = ]
| programming language = ]/]<ref name=PFAQ-Language/>
| size = 2.68 MB
| operating system = ] and later
| platform = ]
| language = | language =
| status = Active
| genre = ] | genre = ]
| license = ], ] | license = ]/]
| website = | website = {{URL|https://www.mirc.com/}}
}} }}


'''mIRC''' is an ] (IRC) client for ] with an ] allowing the creation of ].<ref name="Smith"/> The software was first released in 1995 and has since been described as "one of the most popular IRC clients available for Windows."<ref name="Smith" /> mIRC is ] and requires payment<!-- Misplaced Pages doesn't list prices--> for registration after the 30-day evaluation period.<ref name="REG" />
'''mIRC''' is an ] (IRC) client for ], created in 1995 and developed by Khaled Mardam-Bey. Although it is a fully functional chat utility, its ] makes it ] and versatile.


==History==
mIRC has been downloaded over twenty-six million times from ]'s ] service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.download.com/mIRC/3000-2150_4-10001733.html|title=Download.com|accessdate=2010-05-17}}</ref> Nielsen//NetRatings also ranked mIRC among the top ten most popular Internet applications in 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.internetnews.com/stats/article.php/3096631|title=InternetNews Traffic Patterns 2003|accessdate=2008-08-13}}</ref>
mIRC was created by Khaled Mardam-Bey,<ref>{{cite web|last=Mattson|first=Bill|title=Chatting With Other Sailors|website=thebeachcats.com|publisher=|date=1998|url=https://www.thebeachcats.com/OnTheWire/wwwcatsail/archives/v3-i4/feature3.htm|access-date=2024-06-01}}</ref> a British ] born in Jordan to a ] father and a ] mother.<ref>{{Cite web |title=mIRC: Personal FAQ |url=https://www.mirc.com/pfaq.html |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=www.mirc.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=mIRC: Personal FAQ |url=https://www.mirc.com/pfaq.html |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=www.mirc.com}}</ref> He began developing the software in late 1994, and released its first version on 28 February 1995.<ref name=khaled>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mirc.com/khaled.html|title=mIRC: Khaled Mardam-Bey|website=www.mirc.com}}</ref>


Mardam-Bey states that he decided to create mIRC because he felt the first IRC ]s for Windows lacked some basic ] features. He then continued developing it due to the challenge and the fact that people appreciated his work. The author states that its subsequent popularity allowed him to make a living out of mIRC.<ref name="PFAQ"/> He also jokingly states that the "m" in mIRC stands for "moo" or "]" (meaning 'nothing' in Japanese and Korean).<ref name="PFAQ-Meaning"/>
It is unknown if the "m" in mIRC stands for anything (the author's personal FAQ explains that "it quite possibly stands for 'moo', or perhaps even ]").<ref name=khaledfaq>{{cite web|url=http://www.mirc.com/khaled/faq.html|title=Khaled's Nutshell|accessdate=2008-11-04}}</ref> The author pronounces it "m-I-R-C", or "mirk" for short.<ref name=khaledfaq/>


mIRC 5.91 is the final version to support ] Windows;<ref name="FAQS2"/> 6.35 is the last to support ], ], ], and ]. The current version supports ] and later.<ref name="GET"/>
==History==

Khaled Mardam-Bey decided to create mIRC because he found the first ] ] for Windows, WinIRC, lacked some basic IRC features. Then he continued developing it due to the challenge and the fact that people appreciated his work. The subsequent popularity allowed him to make a living out of mIRC. It costs $20 to register it after the 30-day evaluation period, though no functions are disabled if mIRC is run for longer than 30 days unregistered; a ] merely delays the start of the program. Recent versions of mIRC also spawn new browser windows with the registration page.
The application makes an appearance in the 2006 music video for "]" by ].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.vice.com/en/article/xw5wvj/why-did-slack-win-out-over-irc-anyway | title = Why Did Slack Win Out Over IRC, Anyway? | website = ] | author = Ernie Smith | date = 13 February 2018 | access-date = 12 June 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201107073309/https://www.vice.com/en/article/xw5wvj/why-did-slack-win-out-over-irc-anyway | archive-date = 7 November 2020 | url-status = live}}</ref>


==Main features== ==Main features==
mIRC has a number of features that set it apart from other IRC clients. One of the more obvious differences is its own advanced scripting language (see below) which is further developed with each version. The scripting language can be used to make minor changes to the program like custom commands (aliases), but can also be used to completely alter the behavior and appearance of mIRC. Another widely used feature is mIRC's file sharing abilities, via the ] protocol. It also has a built in file server. mIRC has a number of distinguishing features. One is its scripting language which is further developed with each version. The scripting language can be used to make minor changes to the program like custom commands (aliases),<ref name="Smith"/> but can also used to completely alter the behavior and appearance of mIRC. Another claimed feature is mIRC's file sharing abilities, via the ] protocol, featuring a built-in file server.<ref name="FAQ6"/>


Starting with mIRC 7.1, released on 30 July 2010,<ref name="News"/> ] and ] are supported.<!-- primary ok for release dates and numbers. -->
Over the years various other features that have often been suggested by users have been incorporated. This includes support for multiple server connections, ], ] display support and an option to view channels and notify lists in a treebar format rather than the default switchbar. mIRC is still in active development but it is very rarely announced what features will be introduced in the future.


==mIRC scripting== ===mIRC scripting===
{{main|mIRC scripting language}} {{main|mIRC scripting language}} <!-- moved to separate article per ] -->
mIRC's abilities and behaviors can be altered and extended using the embedded mIRC scripting language. mIRC's abilities and behaviors can be altered and extended using the embedded mIRC scripting language. mIRC includes its own GUI scripting editor,<ref name="Smith"/> with help that has been described as "extremely detailed".<ref name=Smith />


Due to the level of access the language has to a user's computer — for example, being able to rename and delete files — a number of abusive scripts have been made. One example of abuse was that executed with the $decode identifier which decodes a given encoded string.<ref name="Securiteam"/><ref name="EthHack"/> The issue was reported in August 2001; even five months later, users were still being reported as having fallen prey, tricked into executing commands on their systems which result in "handing control of mIRC over to somebody else".<ref>Lo, Joseph, ed. (January 4, 2002). {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801103533/http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/news/ |date=2012-08-01 }}. and <br/>"Aug 30 01 mIRC $decode() exploit." IRChelp.org.</ref> <!--Such messages were disguised as a fake promise of operator status in an IRC channel.--> This led to changes being made in mIRC version 6.17: according to the author, $decode is now disabled by default, and various other features which can be considered dangerous are now lockable.<ref name="News"/>
mIRC scripting is not limited to IRC related events and commands. There is also support for ], calling ], ] and ]es, among other things. This allows the client to be used in a variety of ways beyond chatting, for example as an ], a media player, a web ] ] or for other entertainment purposes such as mIRC games. In practice however, mIRC will not be used solely for such specific purposes, but rather scripts for such purposes are ] for the client, which will otherwise be used for chatting.


== Reception ==
Due to the level of access the language has to a user's computer, for example, being able to rename and delete files, a number of abusive scripts have been made. Perhaps one of the more prominent examples of abuse was that executed with the $decode identifier which decodes a given encoded string. Many users who did not understand this were misguided into decoding strings which executed commands on their systems. Such messages were disguised as a fake promise of ] in an IRC channel. However, this led to changes being made in version 6.17 so $decode is now disabled by default and various other features which can be considered 'dangerous' are able to be locked.
mIRC has been downloaded over 40 million times from ]'s ] service.<ref name="CNET" /> In 2003, Nielsen/NetRatings ranked mIRC among the top ten most popular Internet applications.<ref name="IntNews" />


==Criticism== == References ==
Onno Tijdgat, author of ], criticizes mIRC's color format, arguing that it uses a flawed design and follows no common standard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ircle.com/colorfaq.shtml|title=Color FAQ|accessdate=2008-08-13}}</ref> Khaled Mardam-Bey responded to this criticism, observing that there was no common standard between IRC clients at the time so using any one existing format would "''have annoyed those clients that didn't use that particular format''". Ultimately this led to him creating a new format designed for ease of use, however he acknowledged that "''the design should have been more robust''".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trout.snt.utwente.nl/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=2&Number=194218&Searchpage=2&Main=36021&Words=Misplaced Pages&topic=0&Search=true#Post194218|title=mIRC Discussion Forums|accessdate=2008-08-13}}</ref>


{{reflist|30em|refs=
==See also==
*]
*]


<ref name=PFAQ>
== References ==
{{cite web
{{reflist}}
| title = mIRC: Personal FAQ
| url = https://www.mirc.com/pfaq.html
| publisher = mirc.com
| access-date = 19 July 2023
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230719163745/https://www.mirc.com/pfaq.html
| archive-date = 19 July 2023}}
</ref>

<ref name=PFAQ-Meaning>
{{cite web
| title = mIRC: Personal FAQ - Meaning
| url = https://www.mirc.com/pfaq.html#meaning:~:text=Question%3A%20What%20does%20the,MU.
| publisher = mirc.com
| access-date = 19 July 2023
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230719163745/https://www.mirc.com/pfaq.html
| archive-date = 19 July 2023}}
</ref>

<ref name=PFAQ-Language>
{{cite web
| title = mIRC: Personal FAQ - Language
| url = https://www.mirc.com/pfaq.html#language:~:text=Question%3A%20In%20which%20language,C%2B%2B.
| publisher = mirc.com
| access-date = 19 July 2023
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230719163745/https://www.mirc.com/pfaq.html
| archive-date = 19 July 2023}}
</ref>

<ref name="CNET">{{cite web|url=https://download.cnet.com/mIRC/3000-2150_4-10001733.html|title=mIRC |publisher=Download.CNet.com |access-date=2018-12-10}}</ref>

<ref name="IntNews">{{cite web|url=http://www.internetnews.com/stats/article.php/3096631|title=InternetNews Traffic Patterns 2003 |date=22 October 2003 |publisher=InternetNews.com |access-date=2008-08-13}}</ref>

<ref name="FAQS2">. mirc.com.</ref><!-- primary is fine -->

<ref name="REG">. mirc.com.</ref><!-- Primary is fine for such a detail -->

<ref name="FAQ6">{{cite web |url=https://www.mirc.com/faq6.html#section6-30 |title=mIRC FAQ: Section 6 | publisher= mirc.com |access-date=2018-12-10}}</ref>

<ref name="GET">. mirc.com. Retrieved 2018-12-10.</ref>

<ref name="News">{{cite web |url=https://www.mirc.com/news.html |title=mIRC: Latest News | publisher= mirc.com |access-date=2018-12-10}}</ref>


<ref name="Smith">{{cite book
|last=Smith
|first=Chris
|year=2004
|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MbHAnBh9AqQC&q=mIRC+scripting+language&pg=PA71
|chapter=Hack #20 Automate IRC with Scripting
|title=IRC Hacks: 100 Industrial-Strength Tips & Tools
|editor=Paul Mutton\
|publisher= O'Reilly Media, Inc.
|pages=71–74
|isbn=9780596006877
}}</ref>

<ref name="Securiteam">. originally by ReDeeMeR. Securiteam.com ''Windows NT Focus''. 24 February 2002.</ref>

<ref name="EthHack">Ahmadi Bidakhwidi, Mohammad (2005) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103072612/http://www.ethicalhacker.net/content/view/26/2 |date=2012-11-03 }}. The Ethical Hacker.</ref>

}}<!-- end of refs= list -->

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
*{{Cite book |first=Peter |last=Szor |year=2005 |title=The Art of Computer Virus Research and Defense |publisher=Pearson Education |chapter=3.7.7}}<!-- discusses mIRC attack vector -->
*{{Cite book |first1=David |last1=Harley |first2=Robert S. |last2=Vibert |year=2007 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LBzXf0A-jQwC&q=mIRC+scripting+language&pg=PA147 |title=AVIEN Malware Defense Guide for the Enterprise |publisher=] |page=147|isbn=9780080558660 }}<!--usage in script attacks-->
*{{Cite book |first=Esharenana E. |last=Adomi |year=2008 |title=Security and Software for Cybercafés |publisher=] |page=173}}
*{{Cite book |first1=Markus |last1=Jakobsson |first2=Zulfikar |last2=Ramzan |year=2008 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U8bh6a9Jvz0C&q=mIRC+scripting+language&pg=PA194 |title=Crimeware: Understanding New Attacks and Defenses |publisher=] |page=194|isbn=9780132701969 }}
{{Refend}}


==External links== ==External links==
* *
*
*
*


{{IRC clients}} {{IRC clients}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Mirc}}
]
] ]
] ]
]

]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 23:14, 27 December 2024

Internet Relay Chat (IRC) client for Microsoft Windows
mIRC
Screenshot of an unmodified mIRC 7.27 running on Windows 7
Original author(s)Khaled Mardam-Bey
Developer(s)mIRC Co. Ltd.
Initial release28 February 1995 (1995-02-28)
Stable release7.78 (6 November 2024; 52 days ago (2024-11-06)) [±]
Written inC/C++
Operating systemWindows XP and later
PlatformIA-32
TypeIRC client
LicenseProprietary/Trialware
Websitewww.mirc.com

mIRC is an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) client for Windows with an integrated scripting language allowing the creation of extensions. The software was first released in 1995 and has since been described as "one of the most popular IRC clients available for Windows." mIRC is shareware and requires payment for registration after the 30-day evaluation period.

History

mIRC was created by Khaled Mardam-Bey, a British programmer born in Jordan to a Syrian father and a Palestinian mother. He began developing the software in late 1994, and released its first version on 28 February 1995.

Mardam-Bey states that he decided to create mIRC because he felt the first IRC clients for Windows lacked some basic IRC features. He then continued developing it due to the challenge and the fact that people appreciated his work. The author states that its subsequent popularity allowed him to make a living out of mIRC. He also jokingly states that the "m" in mIRC stands for "moo" or "MU" (meaning 'nothing' in Japanese and Korean).

mIRC 5.91 is the final version to support 16-bit Windows; 6.35 is the last to support Windows 95, NT 4.0, 98, and ME. The current version supports Windows XP and later.

The application makes an appearance in the 2006 music video for "Boten Anna" by Basshunter.

Main features

mIRC has a number of distinguishing features. One is its scripting language which is further developed with each version. The scripting language can be used to make minor changes to the program like custom commands (aliases), but can also used to completely alter the behavior and appearance of mIRC. Another claimed feature is mIRC's file sharing abilities, via the DCC protocol, featuring a built-in file server.

Starting with mIRC 7.1, released on 30 July 2010, Unicode and IPv6 are supported.

mIRC scripting

Main article: mIRC scripting language

mIRC's abilities and behaviors can be altered and extended using the embedded mIRC scripting language. mIRC includes its own GUI scripting editor, with help that has been described as "extremely detailed".

Due to the level of access the language has to a user's computer — for example, being able to rename and delete files — a number of abusive scripts have been made. One example of abuse was that executed with the $decode identifier which decodes a given encoded string. The issue was reported in August 2001; even five months later, users were still being reported as having fallen prey, tricked into executing commands on their systems which result in "handing control of mIRC over to somebody else". This led to changes being made in mIRC version 6.17: according to the author, $decode is now disabled by default, and various other features which can be considered dangerous are now lockable.

Reception

mIRC has been downloaded over 40 million times from CNET's Download.com service. In 2003, Nielsen/NetRatings ranked mIRC among the top ten most popular Internet applications.

References

  1. "mIRC: Latest News". mirc.com. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  2. "mIRC: Personal FAQ - Language". mirc.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  3. ^ Smith, Chris (2004). "Hack #20 Automate IRC with Scripting". In Paul Mutton\ (ed.). IRC Hacks: 100 Industrial-Strength Tips & Tools. O'Reilly Media, Inc. pp. 71–74. ISBN 9780596006877.
  4. "Registration". mirc.com.
  5. Mattson, Bill (1998). "Chatting With Other Sailors". thebeachcats.com. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  6. "mIRC: Personal FAQ". www.mirc.com. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  7. "mIRC: Personal FAQ". www.mirc.com. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  8. "mIRC: Khaled Mardam-Bey". www.mirc.com.
  9. "mIRC: Personal FAQ". mirc.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  10. "mIRC: Personal FAQ - Meaning". mirc.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  11. "mIRC 6.0 drops 16bit support". mirc.com.
  12. "mIRC download for 6.35 and latest version". mirc.com. Retrieved 2018-12-10.
  13. Ernie Smith (13 February 2018). "Why Did Slack Win Out Over IRC, Anyway?". Vice. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  14. "mIRC FAQ: Section 6". mirc.com. Retrieved 2018-12-10.
  15. ^ "mIRC: Latest News". mirc.com. Retrieved 2018-12-10.
  16. "mIRC Backdoors - An Advanced Overview". originally by ReDeeMeR. Securiteam.com Windows NT Focus. 24 February 2002.
  17. Ahmadi Bidakhwidi, Mohammad (2005) "mIRC Worm" Archived 2012-11-03 at the Wayback Machine. The Ethical Hacker.
  18. Lo, Joseph, ed. (January 4, 2002). "IRC News Jan 04 02 Happy 2002 - //$decode trojan keeps going and going... " Archived 2012-08-01 at the Wayback Machine. and
    "Aug 30 01 mIRC $decode() exploit." IRChelp.org.
  19. "mIRC". Download.CNet.com. Retrieved 2018-12-10.
  20. "InternetNews Traffic Patterns 2003". InternetNews.com. 22 October 2003. Retrieved 2008-08-13.

Further reading

External links

Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
Common terms
Related protocols
Networks
Technology
See also
Clients
macOS
Microsoft Windows
Unix-like
Cross-platform
Multi-IM
Web-based
Web browser components
Library and plug-ins
Category
Categories: