#$EPIC: links,v 1.7 2001/11/18 06:45:33 dinodrac Exp $
Synopsis:
   links [<glob>]

Description:
   IMPORTANT: See Privacy and Restrictions sections before using this
   command for important warnings.

   Show linked servers, and interconnections between them.

Examples:
   To list all servers on the network:
      /links 

Privacy:
   Use of LINKS is almost always reported to server operators. 
   Repeated or frequent use of LINKS is almost sure to bring the
   attention of its operators.

Restrictions:
   This command may be rate limited, even if it isn't, you should not use
   it with any frequency, as most server operators will react to repeated 
   queries with a K-line (ban) for "links looking".
   Some overzealous operators many even K-line for a SINGLE use of LINKS,
   forgetting that there is a legitimate use for the command.

   Some networks have adopted the practice of completely disabling
   LINKS queries.

Soapbox:
   Once upon a time it used to be common for users to use the LINKS
   command to see which servers were on the network so they could tell
   whether their friend's favorite irc server was netsplit or not.

   Then came the "link lookers" that would use the LINKS command every
   15 seconds or so on the prowl for servers that netsplit.  Then they would
   $connect() to those servers, register as your nickname, join your
   channel, get chanops, and then nickcollide everybody when the net.split
   healed.

   Then came TS, the big plan to prevent nick collisions and riding netsplits
   for chanops.  Also came the raging paranoia about users who use the
   LINKS command.  Obviously nobody could use the LINKS command for
   anything legitimate, could they?

   In recent years, denial of service (DoS) attacks against servers have
   become commonplace. Information from LINKS, while very useful to
   ordinary, innocent users, also tells a would-be attacker how servers
   are interconnected. This allows attacks to be targeted to cause as
   much disruption as possible. Sadly, this makes many operators even
   more paranoid about LINKS. 

   There is a current trend to hide information from users, even such
   basic information as the names of servers. This has been recently
   taken to extremes on networks such as Undernet, where all servers
   are now masked as *.undernet.org, almost all server queries are
   operator only, and LINKS directs you to a web page.

See Also:
   load(5) tls
