How To Join DarkScience

The Darkscience community is composed of several linked IRC servers. To join, follow these steps.


Step 1. Get an IRC client.


  • Recommended Windows Clients:
  • Recommended *nix Clients:
  • Recommended Mac Clients:

*Pidgin is not recommended above any other IRC client.


Step 2. Join the IRC server.


Once you have your IRC client, use the following commands to get connected to the server:

  • /server irc.darkscience.org To connect without SSL encryption.
  • /server irc.darkscience.org +6697 To connect with SSL encryption.
  • /join #channel Where #channel can be any channel that is listed in the IRC Channels section below.

*Windows users will need the SSL libraries installed to connect with SSL.


Step 3. Getting comfortable.


There are several basic commands that can help you customize your IRC experience:

  • /nick nickname Where nickname can be any name you'd like to go by (Cannot contain spaces or special characters).
  • /msg nickserv register password email You can register your nickname to prevent it from being used by someone other than yourself. Once you have registered, you will recieve an email asking you to verify your account (Make sure to use a valid email address).
  • /msg nickserv identify password Use this command to identify for the nick you previously registered when you return to the IRC network.

Step 4. Being secure.


DarkScience has SSL on port 6697. If you are running the XChat IRC client, you must check the option "Allow invalid SSL Certificates" as Darkscience uses its own certificate authority.


In addion, feel free to take a look at the DarkNet page if you are interested in connecting to IRC through the Darkscience VPN.

IRC Servers

DarkScience has several linked IRC servers. Some of them are operated by DarkScience, while some are maintained by linked communities.


  • irc.darkscience.org : Central Hub -- Operated by DarkScience.
  • tapcode.darkscience.org : Tapcode Link -- Operated by DarkScience.
  • chimera.darkscience.org : Chimera Link -- Operated by DarkScience.
  • hoverpig.darkscience.org : HoverPig Link -- Operated by DarkScience.

IRC Channels

Official Channels:

  • #Darkscience -- Main network community channel.
  • #Help -- IRC help and support.
  • #Bots -- For bot development and testing. No malicious bots!
  • #Vhost -- Set up and activate custom hostmasks.
  • #BBS -- The DarkScience BBS lives!
  • #firehose -- Syndicated news - tech, politics, and more.

Community Channels:

  • #telconinja -- http://telconinja.net/ - Telconinja PBX and Conf project.
  • #wargaming -- http://wargaming.org / - WarGaming security challenge & tech community
  • #artoftheninja -- AOTN Self-defense community.
  • #hack-hound -- http://hackhound.org - Hacker community and forums.
  • #neworder -- http://neworder.box.sk - Computer security community and forums.
  • #w4ck1ng -- Web security and hacking community.
  • #QSO -- Radio communications - HAM, CB. GMRS, etc.
  • #intern0t -- http://intern0t.net - Hacker community and forums.
  • #insilico -- Health science, biomedical research, and medicine.
  • #forest -- Running GameServ - a L.O.R.D. themed RPG for IRC.
  • #irpg -- Idler RPG game channel.
  • #linux -- General Linux talk channel.

*To get your channel listed here, please contact a DarkScience Staff member.


*Popular channels are marked with a blue bullet.

DarkScience Staff

  • ProwL - Network Administrator
  • Arbiter - Server Admin - Tapcode
  • Cyrus - Server Admin - HoverPig
  • fiftysixer - Server Admin - Chimera
  • NeX - Server Admin - Tapcode
  • Yusuke - Server Admin - Hoverpig
  • Z - Server Admin - Chimera