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TCP 6697

ProtocolTCP
Port6697
LabelsIRC SSL (Secure Internet Relay Chat)—often used

Synopsis

  • TCP port 6697 is the de-facto port for encrypted IRC (IRC over TLS/SSL, often called IRCS).
  • Major public IRC networks offering TLS on 6697 include Libera.Chat (irc.libera.chat:6697), OFTC (irc.oftc.net:6697), Rizon, DALnet, EsperNet, and Snoonet.
  • Popular IRC server software that listens on 6697 when TLS is enabled includes InspIRCd, UnrealIRCd, Charybdis/ircd-seven, and ngIRCd.
  • Common IRC clients use 6697 for secure connections—e.g., mIRC, HexChat, irssi, and WeeChat.
  • IRC bouncers such as ZNC are frequently configured to accept TLS connections on 6697.
  • Many self-hosted community or enterprise IRC deployments mirror this convention for their secure endpoints.
  • Security note: attackers have used encrypted IRC (often on 6697) for botnet command-and-control, so unexpected 6697 traffic can warrant investigation.

Observed activity

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