A cloak is a custom virtual host that replaces your current host or IP address shown in join/part/quit messages and in /WHOIS. For example, someone@10-10-32-1.res.dsl.example.com might appear as someone@someone.netuser.irc.andrewyu.org.
The Atheme database got dumped so you can't use HostServ now. Just ask staff.
User cloaks are in the form (your account name).netuser.irc.andrewyu.org and it is assumed that you have already registered your nickname.
To get a user cloak, simply send the following:
/MSG HostServ TAKE $account.netuser.irc.andrewyu.orgNote: Don't substitute $account. Services will automatically substitute it with your account name.
While cloaks may look nicer than raw hostmasks/IP addresses, they're not meant to be used for protecting your identity. Cloaks will replace your IP/host when connected, but there are a few exceptions:
If these exceptions are fine, you may use cloaks. Else, you shouldn't connect to the internet from this IP in the first place.
If you wish to protect your identity, connect from Tor instead.
Other kinds of cloaks are also set. Most of them cannot be requested, but they're still listed for convienience:
netadmin.irc.andrewyu.org: indicates that the user is a network administrator[user].tor.gateway.irc.andrewyu.org: indicates that the user is connecting from Tor[user].xmpp.ugateway.irc.andrewyu.org: indicates that the user is connecting from an unaffiliated XMPP-to-IRC gatewayJust send the following to HostServ:
/MSG HostServ DROPOr if you wish to just temporarily disable it:
/MSG HostServ OFFAnd turn it on again with:
/MSG HostServ ONYou may run the following:
/MSG HostServ HELPAlternatively, we're available in the #support channel for any questions that may arise.