An OPSEC tip after reading about the CIA's shit.

If you are not already using tails, you should. If you are using windows, don't even ask (Am I fucked? Yes. Yes you are fucked.)

Refrain from using any computer newer than 2003-2004. Use some obsolete shit for your illegal needs.

The global CIA and NSA mass espionage started in response of the 2001 attacks on the world trade center. Any computer made before 2003 is less likely to contain CIA shit such as learning viruses that stay on a hidden memory in your hard drive and re-upload themselves despite a full system wipe/format, or similar shit.

The same goes for your phone or any other electronic device. Even devices that do not typically feature "intelligence" such as USB keys can be infected.


Comments


[171 Points] ThaBzKneez:

The CIA does not give a single fuck about some 19 year old kid buying a half sheet of acid. Anyone that is scared of the CIA (in the context of opsec) is grossly overstating their importance.

It really blows my mind that someone thought this post up and actually went through with submitting it. I will never understand how people are so deluded on what the CIA actually does.


[21 Points] HuskyPupper:

When was the last time the CIA or NSA busted a low level drug user/dealer?


[14 Points] NODestructionF:

why


[11 Points] hopfield:

they had linux vulnerabilities you retard, Tails wouldn't help you one bit

but like everyone else said, the CIA doesn't give two shits about people buying drugs online. i'm sure they've got plenty of coke already.


[5 Points] pinochetHA:

This post is incorrect in some ways and not tailored for people using the darknet markets. The CIA is not using it's resources to track you down. Sorry if that makes you feel unimportant. Even you Alphaking would not interest them, and they probably know who you are anyway. Using Tails is a solid choice though so people should listen to that bit.

If your adversary is the CIA, and you plan to engage in activities which irritate them over an extended period of time, you will lose. Tails is a tool, not a magic wand. It will protect you against powerful adversaries for a limited amount of time if you use it right, that is until the powerful adversaries are motivated enough to do something about you.

You need a USB to run tails. As you recognize USBs can be malicious. A USB is one of the safest methods and is much better than an ssd hard drive, because it does not have direct memory access. It cannot access your RAM, which we care about. Your LUKS encryption keys/ passwords etc. can be stolen from RAM, meaning it is not possible for a USB to directly manipulate this even if it is behaving maliciously.

However the malicious usb can probably delete data. Malicious behavior by the usb, which you plug into your computer can also compromise your operating system. This is unlikely but possible if your OS has a vulnerable library which manages USBs. And all of this is probably not even important because very few people still use pre-2003 hardware which is slow as shit (try using gpg encryption on a system like that and you will agree). Even if you did use this, there is no guarantee that your system would not be compromised in the future or by badusb. And even if you are very careful and get a nice honest usb and don't do anything else dumb, there is one last hurdle. That pre-2003 hardware is likely to have history. You will probably have purchased it at a cheap price, and it will have had previous owners. Do you believe that those previous owners were very careful in mitigating against CIA cyberweapons? Fuck no. Depending on the system, malicious changes can be made persistent in the microcode which powers processors. If those malicious changes were in the code powering the CPU, Tails cannot help. Your beloved old computer is probably vulnerable and is probably about as reliable as a russian carder.

Old hardware is for people who are experienced at maintaining it and vetting it. An average drug vendor or customer does not need the headaches old hardware leads to and will not gain any benefits, because they are not counting the CIA as an adversary. It is more important that they keep their mouths shut about the DMNs when talking to the girl in the bar, and that they plan their security carefully and don't do dumb things.


[2 Points] None:

Does anyone have any advice on counter surveillance devices?


[2 Points] rilksoadvb5piz3r:

ITT:

king of bartards spreading paranoia and misinformation, grossly exaggerating his own importance.

*popcorn*


[2 Points] None:

If we flood the DEA with so many orders via bad opsec, they won't even know where to begin with prosecutions! #FlawlessLogic


[1 Points] throwahooawayyfoe:

And don't forget about that Weeping Angel shit. They can use your Samsung smart TV to listen to you even when it looks like it's turned off.


[1 Points] HatesPeaches:

Daily reminder that if the government wants to fuck you, it can. If your head pops up above the noise, prepare your anus.

Don't get greedy.


[1 Points] None:

Doesn't Intel ME trump Tails anyway?


[1 Points] vizene420:

trump just wants to sieze some coke brah


[1 Points] _pH_:

use obsolete shit

That won't help at all. If anything, it leaves you more vulnerable.


[1 Points] greenmoneytrees:

Refrain from using any computer newer than 2003-2004

I order my shit off my 2017 macbook and have no problems.


[1 Points] sunchip14:

CIA doesnt care about drugs its called CIA and not DEA for a reason...


[0 Points] PmMeYourYeezys:

How wary do I need to be of all this if I'm European?