XB Browser

Last updated

xB Browser
Developer(s) Xero Networks AG [1] & Steve Topletz [2]
Initial releasev.1.5.0.7, 19 September 2006 (2006-09-19)
Final release
v3.9.10.24 [3] / 24 October 2009;14 years ago (2009-10-24)
Engine Gecko
Operating system Windows [3]
Available in30 [4]
Type Web browser
License GPLv3 [2]
Website xerobank.com

xB Browser (formerly known as TorPark [5] and Xerobank browser [6] ) was a web browser designed to run on both the Tor and XeroBank anonymity networks, and is available as component of the xB Machine [6] and the xB Installer.

Contents

It is designed for use on portable media such as a USB flash drive, [7] but it can also be used on any hard disk drive. [8] As such, a secure and encrypted connection to any of the Tor or XeroBank routers can be created from any computer with a suitable Internet connection, [8] and the browser clears all data that was created on the portable drive upon exit or on demand. [7]

In March 2007 it was reported that the xB Browser was downloaded 4 million times [7] and in February 2008 over 6.5 million downloads making xB Browser the most popular anonymous browser on the Internet. [9]

History

Steve Topletz co-released Torpark v.1.5.0.7 with CULT OF THE DEAD COW/Hacktivismo on 19 September 2006 [10] [11] after more than one year of development based on Portable Firefox web browser with built in support for Tor [1] [4] and using the Nullsoft Scriptable Install System.[ citation needed ] In 2007 it was redesigned from scratch.[ citation needed ]

A cross-compatible version for Mac OS X and Linux was being developed based on xB Machine, due to be available in August 2008, [12] but the development seems now abandoned.

Network usage

Tor network

xB Browser routes Internet traffic through several onion servers, obscuring the originating IP address and encrypting the data. [7] Other applications such as Pidgin can be routed through the Tor network via xB Browser by directing the applications' traffic to a SOCKS proxy at localhost, port 9050. This port can be changed via xB Config, an INI generator for xB Browser.

XeroBank network

xB Browser is optimized for use on the XeroBank anonymity network, which is a private and commercial broadband network operated by Xero Networks AG. [12] The XeroBank network routes traffic through at least two multi-jurisdictional hops.[ citation needed ] In contrast to Tor, the XeroBank network supports both TCP and UDP protocols, performs channel multiplexing for low observability, is run by a single entity and costs money to use. The XeroBank network is accessible via SSH and OpenVPN protocols. xB Browser internally manages a SSH connection to XeroBank, but will recognize and submit to OpenVPN connections.

Features

Besides the anonymous networks, xB Browser uses following add-ons:

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proxy server</span> Computer server that makes and receives requests on behalf of a user

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Hacktivismo is an offshoot of Cult of the Dead Cow (cDc), whose beliefs include access to information as a basic human right. It was founded in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cult of the Dead Cow</span> Hacker organization

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xB Machine is a discontinued virtual operating system that is small enough to fit on a USB drive. The last version seems to have been 0.9.1.5 in mid-2008. It brought a secure computing environment that anonymized all internet activity, and had portable encrypted file storage. It had been developed and offered by XeroBank and based on a modified Gentoo Linux distribution. It could be executed as a virtual machine through a QEMU hypervisor, VMWare, VirtualBox, and any other major virtualization system. It could also be booted from on USB or burned to CD for booting. Virtualization, along with the native implementation of a Tor onion routing for internet connectivity and other encryption and privacy tools, had been utilized to increase the security and anonymity of the user. The developers claimed that it is the most secure operating system in the world and that the technology involved is highly resistant to hacking and spying, even in the most hostile environments. The details and transactions inside each xB Machine account were protected with 256-bit AES encryption. The software also had a self-destruct sequence for eliminating any traces that a user may have left behind on the drivespace after using xB Machine. Meanwhile, Xerobank offers a modular package with xB Browser, xB Mail, and xB VPN, parts of it running only for customers of the bank.

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References

  1. 1 2 Pluta, Werner (28 June 2010). "Reporter ohne Grenzen eröffnet Schutzraum gegen Zensur" (in German). golem.de. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  2. 1 2 Jardin, Xeni (19 September 2006). "Torpark is out, offering "anonymous, portable web browsing"". Boing Boing . Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  3. 1 2 "XeroBank Installer". Xerobank. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  4. 1 2 Broersma, Matthew (22 September 2006). "Activists unveil stealth browser". CNET . Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  5. ↑ The name Torpark is a reference to the development codename for Firefox 1.5, "Deer Park".
  6. 1 2 Sweeney, Terry (8 August 2007). "XeroBank Launches Anonymizing Tool Suite". Dark Reading . Retrieved 17 April 2012.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Zoica, Remus (3 August 2007). "Rebranding of the Updated Anonymous Web Browser, xB Browser, Formerly Known as Torpark to Eliminate Visitor Confusion". Security Software Zone. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  8. 1 2 Brinkmann, Martin (17 September 2007). "XeroBank Browser". Ghacks . Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  9. 1 2 Herpel, Mark (22 February 2008). "XeroBank Interview With Steve Topletz". American Chronicle . Ultio, LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  10. ↑ "Free anonymising browser debuts". BBC News. 20 September 2006. Retrieved 18 April 2007.
  11. ↑ Broersma, Mathew (22 September 2006). "Activists unveil stealth browser". ZDNet. Archived from the original on 12 March 2007. Retrieved 18 April 2007.
  12. 1 2 Pash, Adam (16 June 2008). "XB Browser Provides Anonymous Web Browsing". Lifehacker . Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  13. ↑ Trapani, Gina (25 September 2006). "Download of the Day: TorPark 1.5 (Windows)". Lifehacker. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
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