Hostmask

Hostmask refers to an IRC address assigned to a client by the server. The IRC services and bots provided by the server use this to identify the client. The hostmask looks similar to, but should not be confused with, an e-mail address. It is a combination of the nickname, ident, and hostname. If ident is not available, then the username is used after being prefixed with a tilde sign. If the IP address cannot be resolved to a valid hostname, then the IP address is used instead.
For security reasons, some bots only allow users with a certain hostmask to authenticate, to prevent unauthorized people from getting control of the bot by guessing the password.
Some IRC networks have a HostServ service.
Examples
Sample hostmask format with ident:
* nickname!ident@hostname.domain
Sample hostmask format without ident:
* nickname!~username@hostname.domain
A fictional example using a hostname:
* alice!fairy@c-4a3b10d2.072-3-13626f4.cust.example.net
A fictional example using an unresolvable IP address:
* bob!fxlink@192.0.34.166
A channel operator can place a ban on a hostmask or part of a hostmask from entering his/her channel.
Some IRC networks have a <tt>+x</tt> usermode for users to cloak their IP address / hostname which provides some anonymity, security and protection.
A fictional example with cloaking enabled on a hostname:
* alice!fairy@clk-43425.cust.example.net
A fictional example with cloaking enabled on an IP address:
* bob!fxlink@192.0.34.*

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