What is mIRC on my computer?

Question

mIRC is on my computer and I can't delete it? What does it do? How can I delete it? or is it helpful?

Answer 1

mIRC is the most popular IRC client. IRC is Internet Relay Chat. It's a form of chatting, but enhanced. mIRC can be edited with plugins, bots, scripts, etc.

Are you sharing your computer? If so, someone is chatting online. Leave it; not harmful at all.

Answer 2

mIRC is an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) client for Microsoft Windows, created in 1995 and developed by Khaled Mardam-Bey. Although it is a fully functional chat utility, its integrated scripting language makes it extensible and versatile.

mIRC has been downloaded over fourteen million times from CNET's www.download.com service since it was added on November 4, 2007.[1] Download.com Rankings also ranked mIRC among the top 10 most popular Internet applications in 2003.[2]

It is unknown if the "m" in mIRC stands for anything — Khaled's personal FAQ explains that "it quite possibly stands for 'moo', or perhaps even MU

Khaled Mardam-Bey decided to create mIRC because he found the first IRC client for Windows, WinIRC, lacked some basic IRC features. Then he continued developing it due to the challenge and the fact that people appreciated his work. The subsequent popularity allowed him to make a living out of mIRC. It costs $20 to register it after the 30-day evaluation period, though no functions are disabled if mIRC is run for longer than 30 days unregistered; a nag screen merely delays the start of the program.

In 2008, mIRC started offering an option where users can register mIRC for free via TrialPay, a business solution that offers free registration of software if users make purchases at online retailers or sign up for trial periods of other services.

mIRC has a number of features that set it apart from other IRC clients. One of the more obvious differences is its own advanced scripting language (see below) which is further developed with each version. The scripting language can be used to make minor changes to the program like custom commands (aliases), but can also be used to completely alter the behaviour and appearance of mIRC. Another widely used feature is mIRC's file sharing abilities, via the DCC protocol. It also has a built in file server.

Over the years various other features that have often been suggested by users have been incorporated. This includes support for multiple server connections, SSL, UTF-8 display support and an option to view channels and notify lists in a treebar format rather than the default switchbar. mIRC is still in active development but it is very rarely announced what features will be introduced in the future.