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IRC
_Internet Relay Chat (IRC)_ is a long-standing protocol for real-time text messaging and group communication via chat channels, widely used since the late 1980s. Port 6660 is among several ports traditionally employed by IRC servers to facilitate these communications. Despite newer chat platforms, many hobbyists and large communities still rely on IRC for its simplicity and reliability..
Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a plaintext messaging protocol designed to support real-time communication within group channels and private messages. The protocol is built on a straightforward client-server architecture. Clients connect to an IRC server, which then relays messages among connected users and links to other servers for distributed communication across entire IRC networks.
Port 6660 is one of several ports (including 6667 and others) unofficially used by IRC servers to listen for incoming client connections over TCP. Connections are typically continuous, enabling instantaneous delivery of messages and supporting various commands to manage channels, users, and network status.
While IRC was initially designed without encryption or authentication, extensions such as SSL/TLS have later been added on other ports or via STARTTLS to facilitate secure communication. Many implementations remain unencrypted, relating directly to the open, plaintext nature of legacy IRC communications.