This is a little guide that will tell those of you who are afraid that spies, the CIA, IRS, NRA, MIAA, GOV or the damn Aliens will snag your IP using the simple whois command in mIRC how to hide your IP using the very effective Hostmasking Technique.
If you didn't know it before.. or of it.. well.. here you go.. welcome to enlightenment!

On with the Guide.. it's simple!:

Hostmasking in mIRC

1:: Start the mIRC chat client.

2:: Click "Options" on the top menu bar. This will bring up the Options window.

3:: Click "Options" in the category list that appears on the left-hand side of the Options window.

4:: Click the "Perform" button in the Options window. This will open a new Perform window.

5:: Type "//mode $me +x" in the large white box that appears in the Perform window.

6:: Check the box next to the option to "Enable perform on connect."

7:: Click the "OK" button to save your new settings.

8:: Connect to the IRC chat using your newly configured client.

Using a Wingate Proxy with mIRC

1:: Start the mIRC chat client.

2:: Click on the "File" option from the menu and select "Setup."

3:: Click the "Firewall" option in the Setup window.

4:: Click to enable the "Use SOCKS Firewall" option.

5:: Enter your Wingate server information in the "Hostname" box.

6:: Do not enter any information in the "User ID" and "Password" boxes.

7:: Set the default port as "1080."

8:: Click "OK" to finish the setup, then connect to the IRC network using your newly configured client.

PLEASE NOTE:::
Some IRC networks will only support the hostmasking option if you have registered with the chat network.... which you should already do to begin with to have your nick in the Channel. This WILL NOT compromise your identity.

ENJOY FAM!