If you’ve ever heard of xResolver but don’t know what it is, you’ve come to the right place. Right here is an explainer of everything you need to know about this program and a healthy list of alternatives, along with their pros and cons.
To put it simply, the service is a web-based database of IP addresses grabbed from the usernames of the players themselves.
The ‘x’ in its name stands for the Xbox console, but that doesn’t mean it can’t work with other gaming consoles.
This is why it’s sometimes referred to as Xbox Resolver and PlayStation Resolver. But what is it, and how is it related to Xbox or PlayStation? Let’s find out.
What Is xResolver?
It can be described as a database service that logs the gamertags and IP addresses of those gaming online on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
Technically, an IP address is a piece of information that’s available publicly and this makes the practice legal.
While the service claims to be legal, it can be a serious problem for those who play online games a lot. Suppose you’re playing very well and end up annoying a rival from the opposing team.
If that player turns out to have basic hacking knowledge, they can grab your IP address from a program like xResolver or Xbox Resolver and subject your entire network to DDoS attacks.
Players can pay a fee to have their IP address removed from the log. But it’s an unsavory solution to a problem that shouldn’t exist in the first place and many users may feel like they’re being asked to pay a ransom. Microsoft knows this.
Back in 2020, Xbox engineer Bill Ridmann said that the company was working to ramp up the security of Xbox Party Chat by phasing out P2P voice connections to make it server-based.
This means that the fellow gamers you’re playing with will not be able to see you IP address. Parties initiated from mobile devices are already server based.
How Does Your Information End Up On The Database?
A user’s IP address must be made public in order for them to connect to the Internet. That’s how the web is built.
Hackers take advantage of this by using tools like OctoSniff to scrape IP data from players while they game.
The program then decrypts user information while the gamer is playing in an online session, thus giving a log of which particular Gamertag belongs to which IP address.
And this data then gets added to platforms like the one we’re discussing today, allowing hackers to target particular players.
Why You Should Protect Your IP Address
If a hacker finds out your IP address, this would open up your entire network to the possibility of being flooded with useless communications traffic (essentially, distributed denial-of-service or DDoS attacks), temporarily bringing down your Internet.
Not to mention, you will be kicked out of any session while gaming online. It’s a reality that is known to plague some folks who play online a lot.
It is hence necessary that you protect your IP address in order to stay safe online and not suffer from interrupted gaming sessions.
How To Change Your IP Address
You can only change the local IP address of your PC or console. However, your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider (ISP) and that’s why you cannot easily change it yourself. It’s this readable IP format that can be targeted by hackers.
If you have a dynamic address, try resetting your router by switching it off for a few minutes and then switching it back on.
In case that doesn’t work because you have a static one, you will need to contact your ISP for further help.
Using a VPN service provider is your best bet for safeguarding your IP data. But you still need a public IP address to access the Internet.
A VPN masks your address by providing you with its own IP. The latter can still be seen by a hacker who can get you kicked off the server anyway.
Best xResolver Alternatives
Listed below are some alternatives that you should be aware of. Keep in mind that using these tools is not considered an ethical practice.
If you must employ any of them, just make sure you have a good reason for it — such as booting an abusive player or cheater off the server.
1. Xbox Booter
This Xbox IP grabber has specifically been created to boot people off your gaming sessions.
It lets you sniff and pull IP addresses while accessing powerful layer 4 and layer 7 attacks to boot people offline.
Xbox Booter is a no-nonsense tool that offers detailed tutorials for everything you’d want to do with such a program.
2. OctoSniff
OctoSniff (partnered with xResolver) specializes in filtering out packets and decrypting usernames in them.
It can identify packets automatically when it comes to Xbox Party Chat. Moreover, it claims to be the only tool in the market offering a username AI feature for Sony’s PlayStation 4 console.
This means it can obtain which user owns which packet and associate the IP with a username. Using this program, you can create your own Xbox filters or use presets to retrieve packets from specific games.
Many see OctoSniff is a comprehensive tool for optimizing their game connection and increasing their wins.
3. PS4 Booter
Just like Xbox Booter is an Xbox IP grabber, PS4 Booter is meant to let you kick people offline while playing games on the PS4 console.
This is done by sending a denial of service attack to their public IP address.
The site also advises you that if you play online a lot, in order to save yourself from getting booted offline, using a good-quality VPN is a good choice.
4. Lanc Remastered PCPS
This is a free tool that offers a wide range of features in the domain of IP pulling and resolving. And it has its own database as well.
All you need to do is install this open-source IP puller on your PC and you’ll be able to sniff, intercept, and pull IPs from Xbox Live and PSN gaming sessions. It even lets you resolve Gamertags to IPs.
The best part about Lanc Remastered PCPS is that it’s incredibly easy to set up and use. And if you’re new to all this, there are detailed guides available on its website for getting you started.
5. Console Sniffer
Yet another alternative is Console Sniffer. Just like the multiple Xbox IP grabbers, it lets you get a username and grab a online player’s IP address data without the need for any jailbreaking.
This IP sniffer works on all gaming consoles and does not require any special software or hardware equipment. Console Sniffer is compatible with VPNs, which is quite an important asset to have.
However, it’s a paid program that can be yours for a single payment of $20. Do note that it only works on Windows.
6. Bootyou
Bootyou is advertised as the cheapest and strongest stresser/booter available to gamers right now. It’s a web-based service to send layer 4 and layer 7 Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.
Bootyou offers much more than just stressing. There’s stuff like Skype resolvers, custom IP loggers, a domain and IP pinger, a geolocation lookup, a phone lookup, and more packed into it as well.
7. Webresolver
This isn’t particularly one of those Xbox IP grabbers, but a Skype IP puller that can be used for pulling IPs of people using their geological location.
It’s an SSL-registered website and is a legit way of to grab IP addresses since they’re in the public data base. But you’ll indeed need to pay in order to keep using it.
A unique thing about this service is that it also offers a Chrome extension that lets you easily access it whenever you want.
