xB Browser

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.

xB Browser
xB Browser 2.0.0.12b running on Windows XP
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 (2009-10-24)
EngineGecko
Operating systemWindows[3]
Available in30[4]
TypeWeb browser
LicenseGPLv3[2]
Websitexerobank.com
Contents
Origins and lineage
Category

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. In 2007 it was redesigned from scratch.

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
Main article: Tor (anonymity 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. 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:

References
  1. Pluta, Werner (28 June 2010). "Reporter ohne Grenzen eröffnet Schutzraum gegen Zensur" (in German). golem.de. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  2. Jardin, Xeni (19 September 2006). "Torpark is out, offering "anonymous, portable web browsing"". Boing Boing. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  3. "XeroBank Installer". Xerobank. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  4. 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. Sweeney, Terry (8 August 2007). "XeroBank Launches Anonymizing Tool Suite". Dark Reading. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  7. 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. Brinkmann, Martin (17 September 2007). "XeroBank Browser". Ghacks. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  9. Herpel, Mark (22 February 2008). "XeroBank Interview With Steve Topletz". American Chronicle. Ultio, LLC. 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. 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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