xB Browser
 | Thefactual accuracyof parts of this article (those related to article)may be compromised due to out-of-date information.(August 2011) |
 | |
 xB Browser 2.0.0.12b running onWindows XP | |
| Developer(s) | Xero Networks AG[1]&Steve Topletz[2] |
|---|---|
| Initial release | v.1.5.0.7, 19 September 2006 |
| Final release | v3.9.10.24[3]
/ 24 October 2009 |
| Engine | Gecko |
| Operating system | Windows[3] |
| Available in | 30[4] |
| Type | Web browser |
| License | GPLv3[2] |
| Website | xerobank.com |
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| Related articles |
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| Origins and lineage |
| Category |
xB Browser(formerly known asTorParkandXerobank browser[5]) was aweb browserdesigned to run on both theTorand XeroBank anonymity networks, and is available as component of thexB Machineand the xB Installer.
It is designed for use onportable mediasuch as aUSB flash drive,[6]but it can also be used on anyhard disk drive.[7]As such, a secure andencryptedconnection to any of the Tor or XeroBankrouterscan be created from anycomputerwith a suitable Internet connection,[7]and the browser clears all data that was created on the portable drive upon exit or on demand.[6]
In March 2007 it was reported that the xB Browser was downloaded 4 million times[6]and in February 2008 over 6.5 million downloads making xB Browser the most popular anonymous browser on the Internet.[8]
History
[edit]Steve Topletz co-released Torpark v.1.5.0.7 withCULT OF THE DEAD COW/Hacktivismoon 19 September 2006[9][10]after more than one year of development based onPortable Firefoxweb browser with built in support for Tor[1][4]and using theNullsoft Scriptable Install System.[citation needed]In 2007 it was redesigned from scratch.[citation needed]
A cross-compatible version forMac OS XandLinuxwas being developed based onxB Machine,due to be available in August 2008,[11]but the development seems now abandoned.
So far in 2024 it seems that the service is still active on some app sites available to be installed for anonymous web browsing[12]
Network usage
[edit]Tor network
[edit]xB Browser routesInternettraffic through severalonion servers,obscuring the originatingIPaddress andencryptingthe data.[6]Other applications such asPidgincan be routed through theTor networkvia xB Browser by directing the applications' traffic to aSOCKSproxyatlocalhost,port9050. This port can be changed via xB Config, an INI generator for xB Browser.
XeroBank network
[edit]xB Browser is optimized for use on the XeroBank anonymity network, which is a private and commercialbroadbandnetwork operated by Xero Networks AG.[11]The XeroBank network routes traffic through at least two multi-jurisdictional hops.In contrast to Tor, the XeroBank network supports bothTCPandUDPprotocols, performs channelmultiplexingfor low observability, is run by a single entity and costs money to use. The XeroBank network is accessible viaSSHandOpenVPNprotocols. xB Browser internally manages a SSH connection to XeroBank, but will recognize and submit to OpenVPN connections.
Features
[edit]Besides the anonymous networks, xB Browser uses followingadd-ons:
- Adblock Plus,[13]
- CookiesandFlash cookiesremoval,[6][8]
- Browser history clearing after closing[6]
References
[edit]- ^abPluta, Werner (28 June 2010)."Reporter ohne Grenzen eröffnet Schutzraum gegen Zensur"(in German). golem.de.Retrieved16 April2012.
- ^abJardin, Xeni (19 September 2006)."Torpark is out, offering" anonymous, portable web browsing "".Boing Boing.Retrieved17 April2012.
- ^ab"XeroBank Installer".Xerobank.Retrieved16 April2012.
- ^abBroersma, Matthew (22 September 2006)."Activists unveil stealth browser".CNET.Retrieved17 April2012.
- ^"Download xB Browser".softpedia.12 April 2010.Retrieved19 June2024.
- ^abcdefZoica, 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 fromthe originalon 2 February 2009.Retrieved17 April2012.
- ^abBrinkmann, Martin (17 September 2007)."XeroBank Browser".Ghacks.Retrieved16 April2012.
- ^abHerpel, Mark (22 February 2008)."XeroBank Interview With Steve Topletz".American Chronicle.Ultio, LLC.Archived fromthe originalon 18 April 2012.Retrieved17 April2012.
- ^"Free anonymising browser debuts".BBC News.20 September 2006.Retrieved18 April2007.
- ^Broersma, Mathew (22 September 2006)."Activists unveil stealth browser".ZDNet.Archived fromthe originalon 12 March 2007.Retrieved18 April2007.
- ^abPash, Adam (16 June 2008)."XB Browser Provides Anonymous Web Browsing".Lifehacker.Retrieved16 April2012.
- ^"xB Browser Free Download".apponic.Retrieved19 June2024.
- ^Trapani, Gina (25 September 2006)."Download of the Day: TorPark 1.5 (Windows)".Lifehacker.Retrieved17 April2012.