# IRC operator

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IRC user with privileged access

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An **IRC operator** (often abbreviated as **IRCop** or **oper**) is a user on an [Internet Relay Chat](/source/Internet_Relay_Chat) network who has privileged access. IRC operators are the equivalent of [system operators](/source/System_operator) in general computing usage, charged with the task of enforcing the network's rules, and in many cases, improving the network in various areas. The permissions available to an IRC operator vary according to the server software in use, and the server's configuration.

IRC operators are divided into local and global operators. The former are limited to the server(s) they have specific access to; however, global operators can perform actions affecting all users on the network. In order to perform their duties, IRC operators usually have the ability to:

- Forcibly disconnect users (Kill)

- Ban ([K-line](/source/K-line_(IRC)) or [G-line](/source/G-line)) users

- Change network routing by disconnecting (squitting) or connecting servers

Traditionally, a list of operators on a particular server is available in the [MOTD](/source/Motd_(Unix)), or through the /stats o [servername] command. A user can become an operator by sending the command /oper to the irc server they currently are on using a pre-selected username and a password as [parameters](/source/Parameter_(computer_science)). The command only works for the server which has the proper [O-line](/source/O-line_(IRCd)) in its [IRCd](/source/IRCd) configuration file. The [IP address](/source/IP_address) that the user is operating from may also have to match a predefined one, as an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized users operating if they have [cracked](/source/Password_cracking) the operator's password.

## Operator types

In many IRC networks, IRCops have different types of access on a network. These ranks often depend upon the [IRCd](/source/IRCd) software used, though a few specific access levels remain fairly constant throughout variations:

### Local operator

The Local operator (LocOp) is the lowest in operator access levels. The LocOp has a minimal control on one server out of a network, and usually has the ability to **kill** (disconnect) people from the server or perform local [K-lines](/source/K-line_(IRC)) (server ban).

### Global operator

The Global Operator (GlobOp) is similar to the LocOp, and has control over the entire [network](/source/Computer_network) of servers, as opposed to a single server. GlobOps may perform [G-lines](/source/G-line) or [AKills](/source/AKill) (network-wide bans) and **shun** (forcibly mute) users over an entire network.

### Services administrator

Commonly abbreviated as **SA**, This admin type has control over all functionality on an IRC network available via network service bots, including the commonly used NickServ, ChanServ, and MemoServ nicks. Usually, an SA has the ability to use the **/sa* commands**. The /sa* commands, like all actions performed by network services, are typically implemented using a virtual **services** node on the network, effectively masking the origin of the actions.

### Network administrator

The Network administrator (NetAdmin) has the highest level of access on a network. In most cases, the founder of the network is the netadmin. Networks may, however, have multiple netadmins - especially networks with large populations.

## See also

- [Internet Relay Chat channel operator](/source/Internet_Relay_Chat#Channel_operators)

## References

## External links

- [IRC Operators Guide](https://web.archive.org/web/20110322175909/http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/ircd/ircopguide.html)

v t e Internet Relay Chat (IRC) Comparison of clients Common terms BNC Bot DoS attack Flood Netsplit Operator Script IRCd Services Takeover Related protocols IRCX MSN Chat CTCP DCC XDCC Ident Networks DALnet EFnet Freenode GameSurge IRCnet Libera Chat OFTC QuakeNet Rizon RusNet SlashNET Snoonet Undernet Technology Eggdrop SASL Infobot BitlBee ZNC UnrealIRCd See also List of commands Subculture Jarkko Oikarinen Clients macOS Colloquy Fire Homer Ircle Linkinus Snak Microsoft Windows Bersirc mIRC Microsoft Comic Chat PIRCH Shareaza Visual IRC Unix-like ircII Ii Cross-platform Ayttm BitchX IRC Cloud Irssi Konversation KVIrc LeafChat naim Nettalk Smuxi WeeChat HexChat PJIRC Quassel IRC XChat Multi-IM Centericq Empathy Kopete Miranda NG Pidgin Trillian Web-based CGI:IRC PJIRC Mibbit Web browser components ChatZilla Mozilla Application Suite Mozilla Thunderbird Library and plug-ins ERC rcirc Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [IRC operator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRC_operator) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRC_operator?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.