If you haven't already configured mIRC to use SSL, please take a look at our Using SSL guide.
For the purpose of this document, we'll assume you already have the necessary OpenSSL DLL files and have setup mIRC to use them. To add your certificate, follow the steps below:
- Open the mIRC configuration options window (Menu -> Connect -> Options)
- There will be an SSL button; click this. If there isn't, something is wrong with your OpenSSL installation; see the Using SSL guide.
- Click the button below Private key file. Find the certificate you made (specifically the PEM file) and select it.
- Do the same for Certificate chain file
Now, when you connect to DareNET, prepend a plus sign to the port number to let mIRC know you'd like to connect using SSL:
/server irc.darenet.org +6697
Once connected, read how to add your certificate's fingerprint to N.