Creating a Secure Channel

You can limit user access to a persistent channel using one of four methods:

Limiting Channel Access by Member Password. To join the channel, a chat user must provide a member password as part of the JOIN command. Although the user does not need to be a member of a Windows NT group, he or she must use a password to join every channel of this type. This is the simplest but least secure method for limiting access to a channel.
Limiting Channel Access to Invited Users. Using this method, a chat user cannot join the channel unless he or she is explicitly invited. A chat sysop or the channel owner or host uses the IRC INVITE nickname channel command to allow each user to join the channel.
Limiting Channel Access to Authenticated Users. Using this method, a chat user cannot join the channel as an anonymous user, even with a password. To join the channel, the user's identity must be verified using some form of authentication.
Limiting Channel Access by Member Account. Using this method, a chat user must be a member of a designated member account to join the channel. This is the most secure method of limiting access to a persistent channel.