Enable identd

1. How to install and setup identd on Linux
2. How to enable identd on macOS
3. How to enable identd on IRC Clients (mIRC, AdiIRC, Chatzilla, X-chat)

Identd is a service that sends a username in plain text across port 113 when requested. You specify a text name in the application (typically a username) and run the service. The original purpose of identd is to “validate” a user was who they are saying they are when they cross over the Internet. Identd is commonly used for IRC and FTP sites.

When connecting to an IRC server the leading tilde (~) nickname!~ident@host/ip indicates that you are not running identd on your machine. Identd is an age-old service that runs on port 113 and was designed for shared shells. It’s essentially a process that confirms that you are who your ident says you are. For the full, geeky details on identd, see RFC 1413.

Basically, your client sends your required ident as part of the initiation commands when you connect to Undernet. The server then checks to see whether you have an identd running and uses the ident reported by that in your hostmask. If the server does not find identd running on your machine, it adds the tilde (~) to your ident.

1. Linux

Install and Setting up ident on Linux.

$ yum install oidentd

$ yum install oidentd

$ sudo apt-get install oidentd

# pkg install oidentd

2. macOS X

Enable ident on macOS

How does identd work?

There was once an application that enabled and disabled the identd service in Mac X. This application no longer works in the latest versions of Mac. Luckily, someone wrote a Unix executable that creates an identd service and can be started automatically when your Mac boots.

Step 1: Download the new version of identd located here and extract to your Desktop.
Step 2: Run these commands to properly configure identd in Mac X Terminal.

# Prepare

sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/identd
sudo chown root:wheel /usr/local/identd

# Install

cd ~/Desktop/identd/
sudo cp ./identd /usr/local/identd/
sudo cp ./identd.conf /usr/local/identd/
sudo cp ./org.macmax.identd.plist /Library/LaunchDaemons/
sudo chown root:wheel /usr/local/identd/identd
sudo chmod 755 /usr/local/identd/identd
sudo chown root:wheel /usr/local/identd/identd.conf
sudo chmod 644 /usr/local/identd/identd.conf
sudo chown root:wheel /Library/LaunchDaemons/org.macmax.identd.plist
sudo chmod 644 /Library/LaunchDaemons/org.macmax.identd.plist

# Load and set to Auto Start on Mac X boot

sudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/org.macmax.identd.plist

Step 3: Test your new identD installation and ensure the service started and is running. Type in Terminal:

telnet localhost 113
This should return:
Trying ::1...
Connected to localhost.
Escape character is '^]'.

Step 4: Change your identD username. Go to /usr/local/identd/identd.conf. You can open identd.conf in TextEdit.

Type in the username. Use the format listed below in the screenshot. Ensure you have a "1" in front of the username to enable identd.

You should drag that file out of that path to your desktop to be able to edit and save it. Then drag it back.

Finally, we need to allow the identd service on the Mac X built-in firewall – IF you have this enabled. Navigate to ? -> System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> Firewall -> Firewall Options.

Click the + and browse to /usr/local/identd/ and add the identd app. Ensure to Allow incoming connections per the screenshot below.

 

The original websites of this application can be found here and here.

 

NOTE: I enabled IDENT but i still have ~, what do I do now?
Many users running behind routers/modems will need to forward port 113 in order to be able to successfully use ident. Please refer to Port Forward for more information on how to achieve this.

 

3. IRC clients.

Enable ident on IRC clients.

How do you enable identd on your IRC client?

Many clients either have Identd built in or include the option to turn it on. Check the documentation for your particular client. Note however that there are clients that will not provide support.

mIRC	See Why am I unidentified and what does it matter?  An ident server normally is maintained by the Unix machine of your network provider... It is a kind of nameserver that guarantees your Identity. Since most standalone windows machines are not correctly backed up by an ident service, such a server is built into mIRC. IRC servers can do an Ident request to your Ident server and then expect a standardized kind of answer. More and more IRC servers require you to be identified in some way, and they will disconnect you if you're not identified ! Also if you don't react, or do so in the wrong way, they can decide to disconnect you.... You can check if you're properly identified by doing a /whois on yourself. The first line in the reply should NOT contain a ~ (tilde) or a - (minus). If you have a ~ or - in it try activating the Ident server. mIRC's built-in Ident server can be switched to active under File/options/Connect/Identd/. Set it to : User ID: (The part before the @ in your email address normally) System: UNIX (ALWAYS fill in UNIX !! not dos, win or *whatever* else !!) Listen on port: 113 (The standard ident port number) mIRC: Alt-O > select the Connect tab > select the Identd tab > check all 4 boxes.   Note: I enabled ident but i still have ~, what do I do now? Many users running behind routers/modems will need to forward port 113 in order to be able to successfully use ident. Please refer to Port Forward for more information on how to achieve this.
AdiIRC	Alt-O > left tab scroll down to Server tab > right tab scroll down to Identd  > check all boxes as shown in picture below: Note: I enabled ident but i still have ~, what do I do now? Many users running behind routers/modems will need to forward port 113 in order to be able to successfully use ident. Please refer to Port Forward for more information on how to achieve this.
Chatzilla	See How do I enable ‘ident’? Some networks or servers will require you to be running an "identification server" (IdentD) to connect to them, even though this service is only useful if you run a multi-user computer (where many people can connect and share a single computer). Windows: You can enable this service in ChatZilla in the Preferences by selecting "Enable Identification Server during connection process" for networks and Global Settings, on the General tab, in the Connection group. Linux, Mac: You must use the system-provided identification server (usually called "identd") as these OSes prevent normal programs from providing their own. Note: The idententification service runs on TCP port 113 and this will need to be opened in your firewall (incomming) and forwarded by any NAT device as appropriate.   Note: I enabled ident but i still have ~, what do I do now? Many users running behind routers/modems will need to forward port 113 in order to be able to successfully use ident. Please refer to Port Forward for more information on how to achieve this.
X-Chat	See How do I enable identd in X-Chat? UNIX: Identd isn't actually apart of X-Chat. You will need to download and install your own ident server. Most distributions, including Fedora, come with an ident server program called oidentd. Make sure it is enabled in /etc/xinetd.conf or read you distribution's documentation. As an alternative, you can try this experimental identd server: xchat_auth WINDOWS: The win32 version of X-Chat comes with a built-in identd server. It is enabled by default, but can be disabled with /set identd 0. Note: I enabled ident but i still have ~, what do I do now? Many users running behind routers/modems will need to forward port 113 in order to be able to successfully use ident. Please refer to Port Forward for more information on how to achieve this.