Why don’t you use the darkweb?

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Since I see a lot of mentions of Bitcoin in this thread, I want to add one more thing...

Do NOT use Bitcoin for darkweb purchases. Use Monero! Monero is another cryptocurrency. Bitcoin can be traced, it is NOT anonymous. Monero is the one currency that currently is actually anonymous.
Unfortunately most vendors on the clearnet dont take Monero (I have yet to find one who does), but on the darkweb you can always use it... Actually, it's always prefered.
 
I'm scared to use it. I don't know how to navigate it, I am scared of getting a virus, or ripped off

Can you get a virus just by browsing the da4k web?
 
Darknet markets have become much more tedious to use compared to 5-10 years ago. The DDOS attacks and the markets' methods of protecting themselves slow everything down. A year or so ago I was just investigating what the current situation was. None of the main few markets were accessible some days. The captcha type gates are insanely difficult. When I did get on, I was not finding the selections I did years ago.

But 10 years ago, I liked it a lot more than MG to SY.
 
AtypicalJ said:
I'm scared to use it. I don't know how to navigate it, I am scared of getting a virus, or ripped off

Can you get a virus just by browsing the da4k web?
Click to expand...
No, in that way it is safer than probably anything else. If done right, you use a browser with javascript completely disabled. All the bells and whistles on modern websites are gone. If you see a dark market that wants to run scripts, leave -- it's a scam.

But, it is effort to set up right. It's doable, but it's effort. And it will be effort in multiple areas few people are used to:

- PGP to encrypt each and every message
- setting up PGP to begin with
- password manager for serious random passwords and usernames for each place you register
- getting BTC or XMR
- storing and handling BTC or XML
- and transferring it
- and having Tor set up and running without leaks
- and finding good vendors (where the forums with feedback include meth rants)

And other stuff to adjust to simply because it's different.

There are excellent guides for this (my random list is in no way a guide). Taking the time to learn it will make it work, and work safely. That effort isn't worth it for many.
 
If I’m being perfectly honest, I had to step away because it enabled some of the rougher addictive tendencies I had.

That, and I’m super paranoid. I imagine it’s all very different these days— I would need a lot of catching up.

Have considered looking back into it, though.
 
Wow. A lot to consider here. I have to say though (famous last words maybe…) that I can’t imagine LE bothering to chase individual purchasers. Certainly in my country they aren’t even interested in house burglaries or any number of other crimes. Partly driven by resource constraints I suspect. Call them and wait 4 hours for them to turn up.
I go through occasional waves of paranoia, and use protonmail + vpn. Can’t imagine that I’m of much interest really. I was shocked last week when looking at the KiK app how much open pharma, prostitution and cp is there, out in the open. Truly gobsmacking.
Really interesting what everyone is saying though, and thanks for a thought provoking read!
 
@Nostromo Agree but if you take the precautions and a market you were on or a vendor you worked with gets busted there's less worry.
 
@randalg This is very true. In fact it happened to me this week. Lost vendor (gone dark) and I’m sure my name and address are on their books!for shipping. Time to get vaguely paranoid, although I still stick to what I’ve already said- here at least, it needs to be something pretty serious to warrant a visit. A hundred pills isn’t worth it. 1000s maybe…
 
Biggest thing keeping me from darkweb is being able to verify sellers, identify who's legit and who's scamming.

Don't have a good source for info, way back in high school I knew a few people but they've since disappeared
 
I've just always felt it was way too much hassle to identify good sites and sellers for the stuff I want which is reasonably easy to get (currently) just not without a prescription in my country - of course, that might change
 
There are times in life when even as a risk taker you avoid certain risks. This is one of them! Never felt attracted nor see the need for it.
 
I’ve used it in the past. Last time was probably about 7 years ago. It just seems pretty unnecessary for my needs most of the time. Not worth the trouble.
 

Using the Darknet Doesn’t Make You Anonymous!​

While the Darknet does provide some anonymity, it is not foolproof. There are a number of ways that users can be tracked:

  • Exit nodes: Tor, the most popular software for accessing the Darknet, relies on a network of relays called nodes. These nodes route your traffic through a series of other nodes before it reaches its destination. However, if an exit node is compromised, it is possible for your traffic to be monitored.
  • Browser vulnerabilities: Browsers can contain vulnerabilities that can be exploited to track users. For example, a vulnerability in the Tor browser was once used to track users for over a year.
  • Malicious websites: Malicious websites on the Darknet can be used to track users. For example, a website may ask you to download a file that contains malware. This malware could then be used to track your activity on the Darknet.
 
Odds are... if you're on this site, you're unprepared to consider using the darkweb. It's true that most purchasers on the darkweb are generally safe (legally, depending on jurisdiction) compared to vendors or resellers. But there are a lot of hoops to jump through to make sure you avoid the VERY BRIGHT SPOTLIGHT that gets put on those marketplaces.

The whack-a-mole game we're all used to is what it is, and LE agencies know the rules and how to play the game. Darknet markets put them on high alert, so that's where their focus has been. Tracking bitcoin is trivial (unless you earn it directly or mine it). Tracking Monero is easy too, since not too many people use it, the pool of entry and exit points is small to target.

Just know your own risk profile and act accordingly. As much as I support the idea of free marketplaces (I really do), I wouldn't advise it for something like this.
 
BlueLight said:
  • Exit nodes: Tor, the most popular software for accessing the Darknet, relies on a network of relays called nodes. These nodes route your traffic through a series of other nodes before it reaches its destination. However, if an exit node is compromised, it is possible for your traffic to be monitored
Click to expand...
To be clear though, exit nodes only come into play when you're using Tor to visit a clearnet website. When you use tor to visit a tor hidden service, there is no exit from the tor network, only your entry when you submit the browser request. Your tor client will route you directly to the machine that's hosting that hidden service through it's own torrc file.
 
It would seem to me that just being on the darkweb automatically raises your profile with LE. Because the only reason for anyone to be there is to knowingly engage in criminal acts. So, you're either a criminal, a would-be criminal, or someone who's trying to catch said criminals. Would only make sense to me to go there if there was just no other way to acquire what you are seeking.
 
I did once many many moons ago. The BTC were a gift & I bought something I'd NEVER use normally, knowing it was a one-time treat. It was. I just don't want to deal in the sketchiness of all that and worry about converting my money to crypto, etc. Also not a fan of Telegram dealers and such. Keep it simple is my motto. 99% of deals get busted IRL, not because of web OPSEC anyway.
 
It was to confusing , no clue how to use bit coin , and honestly I was kinda freaked out by the DW !
 
As wazzup said, there is no exit node when you use tor to browse a darkweb site. No one knows who you are when you use tor and if you use pgp for all messages, no one can read what was said. LE and govt do not know where your btc payment is going. They don't know you sent it, its just one of thousands of transactions every hour. The darkweb sites use a new btc addy for each deposit. That way no one knows what the payment is for

Compare that to the normal, clearnet. You write via email which is recorded and kept on file in case they want to look at it later. You pay with cc or mg, that gives another record. So, the authorities know who you are and what you are buying. If they want to go to the trouble of digging all that up for your $200 order, they can easily do it and bust you. Up to now they usually don't bother but all your info and the proof of what you are doing are out in the open.

If you use tor and don't use pgp, that is still very safe because tor itself encrypts the entire message. Pgp is just icing on the cake so that the website operators don't even know what you are saying to the vendor.
 
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