Xerobank questions ?

Discussion in 'privacy technology' started by CloneRanger, Sep 4, 2010.

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  1. truthpatrol

    truthpatrol Registered Member

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    I think that rather than pressuring Xerobank for various free services, you should consider for a fact that there's nothing free in this world, and Xerobank resources are being used in some shape or form for your game playing. Although Xerobank's reliability has much, much to be desired, they're an anonymity service first and foremost by their own words.
     
  2. truthpatrol

    truthpatrol Registered Member

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    I notice that Steve pointedly ignored your remark. Apparently his reputation for reliability and timeliness is too sterling for him to bother. The Xerobank reputation continues, in that there are great plans, decent progress, and pathetic concern for paying clients.
     
  3. truthpatrol

    truthpatrol Registered Member

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    I don't see where Steve has addressed your concerns and questions as a paying customer. Maybe it has slipped past me, in which case my apologies for even suggesting that their customer service can be poor to neglible.
     
  4. raidershog

    raidershog Registered Member

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    Actually Steve DID address many of these questions (indirectly) with his #662. message. One just has to "click on" the "Welcome Back" link which takes you to his message under "Announcements" at the xB Forum &, of course, one does NOT have to be "logged-in" to view the forum.

    For what's it worth I logged-in & posted a message about an hour ago to the xB Forum. There are definitely some "bugs/quirks" that need to be ironed out; however, it's great to take these xB "issues/questions" back HOME where they belong.
     
  5. Sheldon7

    Sheldon7 Registered Member

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    Asking this question on Wilders due to the current difficulty posting on Xb forum:

    As described on the Welcome Back post, what is the updated privacy policy and TOS please?
     
  6. raidershog

    raidershog Registered Member

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    Just a FYI: When I first logged into the new xB Forum I encountered the following second screen:

    Capture2.PNG

    Even though it indicates that it is an "Error 403" screen I just followed the instructions written in BOLD type: "Please login to continue".
    This took me to a second Log-in screen & after I re-entered my username & password (+ the capcha) I was HOME!

    I actually (later) had to Log-off TWICE!
     
  7. bangle40

    bangle40 Registered Member

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    Not going to lie, this whole "wait to march 1st" thing was a huge disappointment.

    What I am taking away from your welcome back message is "please, continue to hold while we reinstate the services that you have been paying for"

    No US Nodes work.

    Still. Even after all this bluster.

    Whats the deal?
     
  8. truthpatrol

    truthpatrol Registered Member

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    "All this bluster" has been one of the greatest weaknesses of Xerobank since its inception. Seeing more bluster than deliverance year after year loses friends and makes enemies out of supporters over time. You'll notice the pattern. Following lots of unhappiness expressed by clients, Steve comes on promising the moon. Things settle down. Then, slowly but surely, people figure out that many of the promises turn out to be empty. Steve disappears.

    The sequence of events is so predictable because it has happened so often.

    On the other hand, if you're a lucky person who has no problem with the service, or you're a blind person who refuses to accept that there is way too much hype in the Xerobank organization, you won't be moved to complain and you may even be moved to defend Steve and his hoopla.

    If Xerobank wants to become more than a bit player, the professionalism needs to increase real fast in the area of customer service.
     
  9. Pleonasm

    Pleonasm Registered Member

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    SteveTX, it appears that your customers are concerned. You may choose to disagree, but I respectfully recommend that you openly and honestly answer these questions:
    1. Why has the quality of the xB VPN service been so poor over the last several months, and what concrete steps has Xero Networks taken to ensure that it improves?
    2. Why has the quality of customer service at XeroBank been so poor, and what concrete steps has Xero Networks taken to ensure that it improves?
    3. Why has XeroBank failed to proactively keep its customers informed of the ongoing status of these problems, and what concrete steps has Xero Networks taken to ensure the quality of communication with customers improves?
    SteveTX, many companies occasionally disappoint customers. That is not uncommon. The great companies, however, open acknowledge and apologize for their shortcomings in order to regain customers' trust. I encourage you to think seriously about the management of the reputation of the XeroBank brand.

    I wish XeroBank success in its future endeavors.

    Thank you.
     
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2011
  10. I no more

    I no more Registered Member

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    That's one impressive bot. I didn't realize programming had evolved to the point where they can have a sense of humor.

    It's also impressive because it always assigns my posts to someone else. I guess programming has also evolved to the point that it knows I'm one of the few people here who actually doesn't mind being spoofed, so it skipped over me.

    It seems to me this "bot" can quickly size up a person's personality, and it knows how to push the right buttons. I guess we can call it the "bully bot".


    And because of this perceived transformation, customer service doesn't matter anymore? I admit the complaining about Xerobank does get tiring at times though.

    And, do you really need the PGP signature on this forum?

    Edit: While we're discussing the "bot", I just want to say that if you ignore the "bot" the "bot" will ignore you. If the "bot" feels that it can't get under your skin, it won't even bother with you. It wants to annoy you and keep you from contributing.

    So, just ignore it.

    Thank you.
     
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2011
  11. SteveTX

    SteveTX Registered Member

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    Pleonasm,

    Thanks for the opportunity to address your questions. The instability was due to DNS issues affecting route reachability, and has been corrected. This is because the jurisdictionally-aware routing mechanism is somewhat complex and requires human intervention.

    For example, regular vpn providers just give you a simple IP address for the server or a domain name. XeroBank XB3 (2-hop) network is designed where the exit country and entry country can't be in the same jurisdiction. So if you wanted to exit to USA, our system would automatically route you through a non-US entry. A non-US entry could consist of nodes all over the planet. So if we turn off a node somewhere, that doesn't just affect global exits, it affects global entries, so previously stale DNS entries would cause the hanging difficulties in trying to connect. Again, this issue is entirely resolved at this time.

    Customer service is currently handled by email and all support request are generally responded to within 24 hours. In the new XeroBank implementation, we'll be attacking support requests with a few methods:

    1) XeroBank forum (public)
    2) Email system (public)
    3) Ticket system (internal to client control panel for higher priority)
    4) Standardizing client-side implementations using Safehouse
    5) Live support for clients (after we implement safehouse and QA)

    However, keep in mind that Wilders is not a support portal for XeroBank, so if you are having an issue or see someone else having an issue, please direct them to the XeroBank forum.
     
  12. nix

    nix Registered Member

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    Unfortunately, there is no evidence for this. The entity responsible for the disparagement seems to have one sole criteria, and that is to target those in this thread who support Xerobank. And why should E483FFF6 refrain from using the pgp sig? If it helps to clarify the position of E483FFF6, why not? The main problem with Usenet has been the impersonations.
    It is clear that providers like PRQ, Bahnhof, and XeroBank are informed, at least in part, by the tenets of crypto anarchism. It's also been noted that Anonymizer is owned by Abraxas. Ideology matters.
    The question is not whether, because of this revolutionary transformation, customer service doesn't matter anymore. It is much more complicated than that. Which of the customer service concerns being voiced are actually legitimate? It's difficult to tell. The Usenet activity suggests that Xerobank is being targeted in a disinformation campaign.
    I have to say, I understand this sentiment as well. At least I know where to find Topletz. That's more than I can say for the rest of you :) Not that I don't enjoy the irony:p
     
  13. I no more

    I no more Registered Member

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    That may be partially correct, but this entity also has some favorites that it likes to relentlessly abuse. One individual in particular created a website to combat this entity, and this entity has been relentless with this individual.

    If I were to create a website, I think this entity still would not use me as a caricature. Why? Because I don't care. If someone wants to waste their time imitating me, I'll feel nothing but flattered. Why would it bother with someone it can't hurt?

    It's a bully. It picks on people it senses will be injured by its actions.

    Regarding E483FFF6, I was mistaken.
     
  14. nix

    nix Registered Member

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    Oh, but you do care. Or you should. I no more has already been drafted into the troll army. You probably didn't really want our conversation here to play out against that particular backdrop on Usenet. On the plus side though, welcome to the XeroBank thread, cult favorite of information professionals everywhere ;)
     
  15. I no more

    I no more Registered Member

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    The only thing I want is to get this forum going strong again.

    If that can be accomplished by this entity wasting all its energy on me, then it's fine with me. Yeah, I'm in its troll army, but in its hierarchy of trolls, my character will only be used when I make an actual post (for completeness). I won't be used as a straw man like the more (ab)used characters. I don't think a bully would waste it's time on me like that (not that I care anyway).

    This entity is already quite familiar with me, FYI.
     
  16. nix

    nix Registered Member

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  17. Taz

    Taz Registered Member

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    I’ve been a member of this forum for quite some time now. Because my technical knowledge on IT security matters is limited in comparison to many that post here, I’m normaly content to just lurk and learn. However, the ongoing discussion about Xerobank and the recent return of it’s representative, Steve, to these forums has prompted me speak up.

    In the the several thousand words that have been written here in recent months about Xerobank, I’m amazed that certain information provided in an older thread on this forum hasn't been more at the forefront of discussion. Actually, I had begun to wonder if the thead had been deleted; but thanks to Google, I’ve found that it is still an active post.

    The post I’m referring to appears to have been written by someone who seems to know (or knew) Steve personally, but apparently is now disillusioned with him over his involvement with Xerobank. I got the impression the OP knew Steve through prior affiliations with certain privacy organizations. Whether these impressions are correct or not really isn’t important. What is important and relevant to recent discussion, however, are the links contained in the post to certain agendas and media documents.

    The events the documents pertain to are large-scale annual training workshops for the world’s intelligence and law enforcement agencies. The focus of these workshops is to provide information and training to the elite sections of these agencies that are in charge of with intercepting all forms of Internet traffic and telecommunications. The real shocker is that Xerobank and Steve are mentioned prominently as a workshop facilitator or seminar speaker. The media document for the IPCybercrime Boot Camp indicates this has been an ongoing relationship, as it refers to how well Steve was received at the prior year’s event.

    The thread can be found here:
    Xerobank Presents Workshops for the U.S. Intelegence Community

    Information that links an organization like Zerobank to core intelligence agencies and exposes an hypocrisy on this grand of scale normally causes quite a stir around here. As I hadn’t seen much talk about it beyond what was said in the orignial thread, I began to wonder if forces had been at work to cause it to disappear. I’m glad that this wasn’t the case as discussions of this nature are the precise reason security minded individuals come to Wilder’s.

    As it was in the original thread, I expect there will again be the usual pot shots taken at the credibility and motive of the OP. But if those that would do so would only stop and think about the irrelevancy of such an argument, they might be able to give an objective look at the facts. The existence of tangible agenda and media documents for real-world events are hard to dismiss as the rantings of someone with an ax to grind.

    Speaking for myself, I really don’t care what the OP’s motives were. Frankly, as it pertains to my own privacy, I don’t even care if the poster wasn’t a real human being! What I DO care about, however, is the duplicit promise made by a VPN provider to keep my private communications private, but who, in actuality is simultaneously in the business of teaching covert data snooping tactics to the very same overzealous privacy-infringement agencies I’m paying him to help keep from accessing it. (I realize that statement is a bit tangled, but I believe it still conveys the meaning intended.)

    I realize not all of us see with the same eyes, but it really astounded me that even after Xeronank’s intelligence agency ties become known, and after experiencing unconscionable shoddy customer service which was topped off by a months-long disappearing act, many here continued to defend them, and a few even stayed on as customers. Unbelievable.

    After learning about Xerobank’s affiliations and then deciding to still trust them with one’s private communications is kind of like trusting a locksmith to install high tech locks that only he knows the inner workings of after you’ve spotted him giving out tips on methods to defeat them to the very cat burglars you bought his locks to help keep out!

    While, granted, within the confines of the universe there may exist a plausible explanation for Xerobank’s duplicitous relationship with the intel community (and their disappearing act, and their half truths to customers...and so on and., etc., etc.). However, why in the world would any rational human being be willing to bet their privacy on it?
     
  18. nix

    nix Registered Member

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    @Taz
    Wow. That's a lot of verbiage and speculation. The thread you referenced actually speaks for itself. I see nothing in there to support your contentions.
     
  19. SteveTX

    SteveTX Registered Member

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    Taz, the presentation I gave was on the surveillance methods used by GCHQ and NSA on international communications, particularly fiber optic communications. I await your retraction.
     
  20. Searching_ _ _

    Searching_ _ _ Registered Member

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    While we wait for a retraction I'd like to ask SteveTX directly rather than allude to the possibilities.
    Steve, Are you a Flatfoot?
    Do you or have you worked for The Man?
    [​IMG]

    Your site looks like it's picking up steam. :D
    Looking forward to the reviews of Safehouse.
    Could you put a site map on your page at least, pretty hard to navigate to all the infos if you don't know the URL's full path.
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2011
  21. SteveTX

    SteveTX Registered Member

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    Not unless being good at using Google counts.

    Not unless you count my summer jobs as an early teen. ;)

    Let's see... it should be put into the footer on the next website-wide update.
     
  22. nix

    nix Registered Member

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    For those who like to play connect the dots, here's a thread about Lance Cottrel's new gig at Ntrepid. Of interest because both Anonymizer and persona management software have shown up the Xerobank thread:
    https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=294557

    Also, all those people who were waiting for the Xerobank forum to open...where did you get to?;)
     
  23. truthpatrol

    truthpatrol Registered Member

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    Steve, obviously it will take time to wean people back to the Xerobank forum being that it was shut down for how many months - 6? 8? But I'm sure we'll all return in time.

    Secondly: All your support options you had before. In fact, you publically unveiled some of them as your solutions to Xerobank's poor support. The most common, apparent reason why people complained about support is because you and others simply didn't reply. Official support (such as yourself) disappeared from the Xerobank forum for stretches of time, with no indication of when you'd return NOR anyone substituting in your place to address concerns. So to follow-up on the original question to you, how have you changed your management/organization such that these disappearances and non-replies won't re-occur?

    If you can get over that recurring hurdle, probably people will cease to have any reason to complain about poor support from Xerobank. It will become a non-issue.
     
  24. SteveTX

    SteveTX Registered Member

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    There haven't been any unanswered support issues for some months now, but thank you for your undying concern. If you someday decide to become a client, you can visit the xerobank forum directly.

    While my public availability will likely decrease, support availability will only be increased, as these two aren't particularly related since Wizard handles most support issues currently. Realize however that XeroBank is extremely popular, infact the most popular anonymous browser in the world with millions of free users, which leads to high demands for support which is a limited resource.

    Most support requests are from problems that arise due to inconsistent implementations on client hardware (mac/linux/windows, firefox/ie/safari/chrome, guest/user/admin, cable/dsl/LAN/wifi/dialup/3g/isdn, etc). However, Safehouse should standardize almost all of these issues, thus eliminating most support requests.

    The largest hurdle, of course, will be the initial time after Safehouse is launched, as there will undoubtedly by unexpected issues that arise. Once we have sufficient feedback, support can be standardized into a scripting process, which allows us to deploy live support technicians. Safehouse also means we can implement changes that globally eliminate technical problems. So the future looks extremely bright. ;)
     
  25. truthpatrol

    truthpatrol Registered Member

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    If your Help Desk 'wizard' had bothered to reply to what seemed to be legitimate cries for help on this thread over the last 2-3 months, your statement wouldn't even be questioned. However, it's great to know that finally we've gotten you to acknowledge that there have been support issues in the past. Any reader of Wilders can go to past threads on Xerobank and see for themselves that these issues came after past promises by yourself to resolve exactly the same issue. That's why your credibility in the area of help support is so damaged.

    Steve, our hopes and prayers are with you in following through with the latest promise of resolving this long-standing issue. My undying interest has no motivation other than to hold business PR types like yourself accountable to whatever services you promise your customers.
     
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