PLEASE READ FOR VENDOR SAFETY

Hey guys and girls too! This is a PSA if you are a vendor.. (I thought everyone already knew this.. but many new and old vendors still do not know this.)

CLEAR YOUR EXIF DATA ON THE PICTURES YOU TAKE!

I made this throw away account, for obvious reasons.. But while I was browsing vendors on EVO market I noticed a unfortunate trend.

MANY vendors had exif data still in their pics. Most of these vendors had only device information, shutter speed, etc.. Which is still something that can be used as evidence against you if that device is seized. (Not a really likely case, but still why put that out there.)

BUT.. I FOUND A FEW VENDORS.. WITH GPS.. GPS FUCKING INFO. IN THEIR PICTURES!

PLEASE DO NOT USE SMARTPHONES TO TAKE PICTURES OF DRUGS..

Please. Do not use smartphones, Or ANY device that has GPS or internet connectivity. Please clear that information before uploading pictures.. I can NOT stress this enough.. First off your safety is most important as a vendor, but so is the customers safety.. Use a third-party app if need be.

I have informed the admins of EVO, and the respective vendors so they can correct this information.

I thought i would just post this so people are in the know. (most them did not even know that info was there)

Your neighbourhood friendly DNM friend :)

. . . P.S For those who don't know what exif is, or how to get rid of it. Here's a windows tut; http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3-ways-to-remove-exif-metadata-from-photos-and-why-you-might-want-to/

If you use mac, I use ImageOptim


Comments


[19 Points] clearyourexif:

I found 3 vendors with gps info, and like 6 with camera data in less than a hour..

Please protect yourself you guys.


[10 Points] None:

[deleted]


[9 Points] AgoraMarket:

Even better than eliminating the EXIF data:

[Hypothetically] forging it to represent a different location, camera model, etc. Hell, you could hypothetically make the GPS coordinates match with your local police station. 😊

Vendors forgetting to scrub EXIF data isn't good, but can LE really do anything with those coordinates? Yes, they could use it as a starting point for an investigation, but... maybe the picture was snapped at an unaffiliated person's home. Maybe the data really was altered by the vendor. The FBI's cybercrime units are probably well-versed in Dark Market OPSEC, but your local sheriff's office is likely clueless and doesn't even know what EXIF is.


[5 Points] GrowPics:

On a side note, for those of you who run markets, why not have a script strip the data when its uploaded.


[4 Points] FarGateTraveler:

Vendors should just sketch the pictures of there product..


[2 Points] _Boogie_:

Another method to clear data is to take a screenshot of your picture and upload in a paintbrush program. Then save the file.

:)


[2 Points] _Boogie_:

Hey my friend :)

I just want to let you know that the majority of exif data does in fact get removed. However there was an oversight and we are currently fixing it. We are sorry for any issues that arrived. The exif data removal should be completed shortly. Also, I cannot stress enough to please use proper OPSEC when dealing on the darkweb. It is important to read and educate yourself on how to protect yourself and remain anonymous. I am more then happy to help/talk with anyone that are in need of advice.

Please never hesitate to contact me anytime regarding anything at all. Thank you all and take care.

~Boogie

Update: Done :)


[1 Points] None:

[deleted]


[1 Points] choleropteryx:

Photoshop removes EXIF if you save the picture with "Save for Web and Devices" .


[1 Points] neurovagrant:

EXIF is ripe as a crutch for parallel construction, domestically.

Didn't Vice forget to scrub EXIF from a fugitive McAfee interview, leading to his arrest?