XeroBank Browser

Infobox_Software
name = xB Browser



caption = xB Browser 2.0.0.12b
developer = Xero Networks AG & Steve Topletz
latest_release_version = 2.0.0.17b
operating_system = Windows
genre = Web browser
license = [http://xerobank.com/tesla.php Torrify Ethical Software Licensing Agreement]
website = [http://xerobank.com/ xerobank.com]

xB Browser is an anonymous web browser designed to run on both the Tor and XeroBank anonymity networks, and is available as component of the XeroBank Installer. xB Browser was previously called Torpark,cite web |url= http://xerobank.com/torrify.html |title= What happened to Torrify? |accessdate= 2007-06-07 |publisher= XeroBank ] The name Torpark is a reference to the development codename for Firefox 1.5, "Deer Park".] and is released under a license [cite web | url = http://xerobank.com/tesla.php | title = The Torrify Ethical Software License Agreement | accessdate = 2008-06-15] that restricts usage by malware and commercial interests. xB Browser was originally forked from Portable Firefox web browser with Tor access built into it, but was redesigned from scratch in 2007. It is designed for use on portable media such as a USB flash drive but it can also be used on any hard disk drive. 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, and the browser clears all data that was created on the portable drive upon exit or on demand. The original Torpark was created by Steve Topletz using the Nullsoft Scriptable Install System.

Tor network

xB Browser works by routing Internet traffic through several "onion" servers, obscuring the originating address. This does not naturally provide anonymity for other Internet programs, only the xB Browser. However, other applications data 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 located in its App/ directory. For a more complete explanation of the functioning of the system, see Tor.

Reading the Tor documentation is highly recommended to prevent configuration mistakes that could compromise the user's anonymity. xB Browser is preconfigured, and the settings, especially within the browser, should not be modified unless done by an expert familiar with onion routing, and the workings of xB Browser itself.

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. The XeroBank network routes traffic through at least two multi-jurisdictional hops. In contrast to Tor, the XeroBank network is immune to 3rd-party traffic injection, supports both TCP and UDP protocols, and performs channel multiplexing for low observability, however it is run by a single entity. 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.

Versions

Steve Topletz co-released Torpark v.1.5.0.7 with CULT OF THE DEAD COW/Hacktivismo on 19 September 2006. [Cite web
title = Hacktivismo Releases Torpark for Anonymous, Portable Web Browsing
accessdate = 2007-04-18
date = 2006-09-19
url = http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/9/prweb438978.htm] [Cite news
title = Free anonymising browser debuts
work = BBC News
accessdate = 2007-04-18
date = 2006-09-20
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/5363230.stm] [Cite web
last = Broersma
first = Mathew
title = Activists unveil stealth browser
format = News
accessdate = 2007-04-18
date = 2006-09-22
url = http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-6118547.html]

The current version of the xB Browser is 2.0.0.17b

xB Browser is natively available for Microsoft Windows, but also runs on Linux under WINE. A cross-compatible version is being developed based on xB Machine, due to be available in August of 2008.

License

xB Browser is released under the [http://xerobank.com/tesla.php Torrify Ethical Software License Agreement] , or TESLA for short. This license is derived from the Hacktivismo Enhanced-Source Software License Agreement, which is employed by Hacktivismo. This type of license states that private use is unlimited, like GPL. Unlike GPL, it also prohibits modification of xB Browser for commercial profit.

xB Browser's developers state that TESLA is a free and open source software license, but critics state that TESLA doesn't satisfy either Free Software Definition or Open Source Definition due to restrictions on modifications, and thus Torpark is not FOSS. [ [http://archives.seul.org/or/talk/Mar-2007/msg00299.html Re: Free Software and Torpark (was: Ultimate solution) ] ]

See also

* Tor (anonymity network)
* Portable Firefox
* Portable Tor
* OperaTor

External links

* [http://xerobank.com/ XeroBank official website] , XeroBank.com
* [http://xerobank.com/xB_Machine.php xB Machine] , a fully visualized OS utilizing Tor and XeroBank network access
* [http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=176514 Anyone tried XeroBank?] , an extensive discussion on xB Browser and the XeroBank network

Notes and references