I think my school blocks IRC

[JoeyJoeJo]

I go to a university and live on campus. I think that they block IRC because when I try to connect to the server, it always times out. Does anyone know if there is a way around this? I'm not going to be downloading any illegal files or any of that junk. I just want to join a few chat rooms.

BTW, I am at George Mason University. Heck, maybe someone on here goes to the same school and know a way around. That'd be nice.

[EnigmaOne]

It's their network, and they can block anything they want to.

Sounds like you're in for a dial-up ride, if you have to have IRC.

[JoeyJoeJo]

Grrrr... I was kinda thinking that there wouldn't really be a way around it. I think I'm gonna set up a vnc server at my house (where my parents live, not on campus) and do it that way. It's not the best situation in the world, but it works. As for dial up, I don't want IRC enough to pay for another internet connection.

[tuxnewb]

My buddy goes to GMU and he is on IRC all the time...one time he had a probl;em with nameservers or something but that shouldnt be the problem...make sure that you have a net connection :op heh but i know he doesnt have problems...ill email him and see what he says

[AdamZ]

If they actually are blocking IRC, you don't need to use anything as sluggish as vnc. Just connect to your home computer using ssh, and use a port redirect. It's the -L option. You might have to change some settings at home to allow a redirect to a remote computer.

[voidinit]

Just out of curiosity, are you running any sort of firewalling on your computer?

[mrBen]

2 options would be:

1. As suggested, go through SSH. I use irssi on my home box via SSH.

2. Set up the CGI:IRC script, which will run on any webserver. There are also a couple of Java applets that do similar.

[JoeyJoeJo]

Here's my firewall setup. I have a routable IP assigned from the school that gets put on my netgear wireless router. Then the router gives me a 192 address and blocks ports. I don't have iptables or anything like that installed on my computer. I think I'll try the ssh thing. The only bad thing is it will be about a week or 2 before I go home to visit again. Oh well, I guess I'll have to wait.

[tuxnewb]

heh that is a lesson learned....always leave your ssh port opened for remote admin...or you could ask your mom to boot up knoppix and allow you to remote into the computer if you know how to tell her how to do it.....wow that was a mouth full...hehehe anyways yeah leave 22 open :) take care....