Use this in a manner where I can transfer files w/out opening up myself to serious hacking?  My ZoneAlarm isn't working with it well at all right now.  

First of all, it's called IRC (Internet Relay Chat). mIRC is just an IRC client; one of many. Just making sure you know, because if you start telling people you are "going to chat on mIRC" they'll laugh at you.

Secondly, you should not have to worry about anyone hacking you, unless you are running an insecure mIRC script. Just don't accept any files with the extension of .VBS, as this is an attack that a lot of crackers use to infect uneducated users' computers.

What w00dy said...
Plus, you don't have to worry about attackers at chat.ar15.com, we are all nice and friendly there. (Plus, nobody there would be able to hack his way out of a wet paper bag) ;)

no.. we just set it in fire while someones in it... kerosene soaked....

Only accept DCC files that are .jpg or .txt.
(Photos or text)
Set your mIRC settings to make sure it asks you before accepting any DCC file transfer.
DCC private chat is safe, but make it ask anyway.
Have played on IRC for years, this has always kept me safe.