Security Groups

Some groups are shared publicly so channels can moderate more easily. Users get sorted into categories automatically. These evolve with the network.

Quick Usage

Security groups can be used in bans, invites, and access modes with the extended ban syntax:

/mode #channel +I ~G:well-known-users
This lets known users into an invite-only channel.
(Reminder: mode letters are CaSe SeNsItIvE)

Group Breakdown

• registered: Logged into a nickserv account
• well-known-users: Genuine, consistent user with things like a good reputation score
• unregistered: User is not logged into an account
• plaintext: Doesn't have a secure connection (non-encrypted)
• webirc: Using the secure web gateway (web browser session)
• spam-fool: They ignored the signs. They deserve it

Jargon Buster

Plaintext: Unsecured connection. Others on the same network could read what they see—even your messages.

Security Group: Category you’re auto-sorted into. Based on stuff like login state, connection type, or time online. Only system operators can see what group you’re in, but these particular group names are shared so channels can use them.

Reputation Score: Behind the scenes, the network tracks your activity. Genuine users gain trust over time, which can quietly lift some restrictions.

Systems Operator: Has full access. Can view or change your group and rep score. Curious? Ask in #help—the real one, not a fake room pretending to be it.

Extended Ban: Lets you match by more than hostmask. Try ~a:Account_Name or ~G:groupname. For a full list, run /helpop extbans in your client.

Real Talk

• Every user is in at least one group—even if you don’t see it
• Most groups just help the server function, nothing shady
• Restrictions are subtle—you might not even notice