I’ve set up a small IRC server for the Tom’s IT Cafe community. IRC is a lightweight text-based chat system that has been used on the Internet for decades.It’s simple, fast, and works on almost any device. The server is fully encrypted and supports SASL authentication and host cloaking. Connection details:
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Do you feel that Linux is sometimes too loud?Systemd. Timers. Kernel updates.Centralized systems are risky. Cloud are computers you don’t own. Do you want to avoid the Big Tech pipelines?Set up your own private XMPP chat system over Tor on FreeBSD.
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Matrix as a hidden service over Tor can increase privacy.You already learned during our “hidden service” series: that Tor is not an invisible cape. It’s not full-anonymity.Using Tor you can maintain better privacy and OPSEC.It’s a better protection against metadata leaks if you use it carefully.
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The world is changing fast.Yesterday’s mistake becomes today’s data leak – and tomorrow’s compromise. Privacy is not a default setting.It’s constant configuration and calibration. You know how to install an IRC server as a Tor hidden service.You’ve seen the modern features and modularity of the XMPP protocol. A Tor hidden service protects both the server and the user.This setup is…
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XMPP or Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol is an open communication protocol.It has been actively developed since it was introduced in 1999.Over time, a large part of its user base migrated to centralized cloud platforms. IRC is a simple, reliable, text-based protocol.Matrix is a robust but more complex protocol with higher resource requirements.XMPP sits between them, closer to IRC…
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If you care about privacy, you probably already know the Matrix protocol.The federated structure of the decentralized network loosely resembles IRC networks.Matrix ships with spaces, rooms, user management, and much more. Most of you don’t host it because of its complexity.I break it down to simple, actionable steps.
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Want a private comms channel without relying on Discord or Slack?IRC is alive, and you can run your own today. A small, well-configured IRC server gives you privacy, control, and minimal attack surface – all in a few commands. Some people think that IRC is dead.Some of them don’t even know what is it.They’re young,…
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Tired of corporate servers watching every chat?Host your own Matrix on Tor, no public IP, zero tracking.By running Matrix over Tor, you eliminate exposure to public servers and keep your chats private. This isn’t just another guide – it’s a battle‑tested recipe for keeping your Matrix chats private on Tor.
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Setting up a PHP-based chat application like Le Chat on a Linux virtual machine (VM) with MySQL and Apache, specifically configured to run over the Tor network, involves several steps. Even if you don’t want to run an entire .onion empire, it is good to know the basic rules of such systems, how to set…
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