Service Issues
A major issue for the XBAND service was free long-distance phone calls. It was discovered that a user could record the tones sent from an XBAND modem and then receive the long-distance service number, the authentication code, and phone number of the player you were connecting to. This information allowed anyone to access long-distance phone calls that were charged to Catapult.
Paging company SkyTel faced similar problems from both XBAND users and their own customers. XBAND users performed brute-force attacks against SkyTel's mobile paging system in order to discover voicemail boxes using the same number as the login and password, using these to extend their communication with each other. Most messages consisted simply of shout-outs with music playing in the background.
Another common complaint was that if a player was losing a match, they could simply pull their phone cord out or turn off their system. This tactic, known as "plug-pulling" among XBAND users, prevented the XBAND service from crediting either player with the win or loss. In spite of complaints, the company was unable to develop a means to detect such forced disconnections.
Catapult was also unable to prevent harassment; there were no filters or privacy controls to prevent vulgar language and obscene mail.
Read more about this topic: XBAND
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