When is it that you type in the /mode $nick +x command? Do you have a script that automatically does it for you? The reason I ask is because commonly what happens is people have “auto join” enabled so that when they login, they immediately join the room they’re interested in, and unfortunately that usually occurs before the +x privacy is activated, thus allowing everyone to see your information unmasked. For that reason, it’s best to ensure the +x is enabled far before the auto joining of a specific channel.

Proxies can be very effective on IRC if they’re NOT transparent. You’ll be masked instantly just like a BNC. A combination of both would be even more effective if you can find a secure place to setup a BNC and use a well-made BNC script. Here’s some information on both host masking (which you do already) and setting up a proxy with mIRC–

http://www.ehow.com/how_6056576_hide-ip-irc.html

I should have mentioned this earlier — but do you have DCC enabled? If so, disable it immediately. Disable both DCC chat and DCC file sending, as they can be used to grab your IP address. Hope that helps! If not, sorry I’m not being very helpful, as I’ve never run into the issue myself. Are you positive that you’re not infected with anything like a keylogger as well? Just thought I’d ask.

As for the comment about hacking infected computers, that means that the user who is infected likely does not update their system with security patches and therefore may possibly be hacked again easily (this is a big variable though, since the user infected could easily patch their system after being infected). On a side note, be sure to use highly secure passwords on any account you’re using in case the attacker simply password cracked your information. Good luck!

References? I don’t know too many people who reference themselves, but if you want me to I’ll be more than gladly to do so. I didn’t use Wikipedia, but thank you for your comment and sorry to hear you disliked my article.