Silk Road forums

Discussion => Security => Topic started by: Ctech13 on September 06, 2012, 04:54 am

Title: Security comparison. Torbox vs Liberte/Tails (What do you use?)
Post by: Ctech13 on September 06, 2012, 04:54 am
Ok, so I want the community opinion on this subject matter. I apologize if this topic has been previously addressed, but as you can see I am still fairly new to the forums, been around SR for a few months.

I have done months of research elsewhere on clearweb as well as here in the deep dark. I am currently running what I have decided to be the most secure system I can as far as Anonymity, security, and efficiency. I want to hear what you use, as well as any improvements/upgrades I can make to my personal system.

Currently rocking Torbox on a dedicated Ubuntu OS as well as a VPN, with after enough research I am comfortable enough with their services that no logs are kept, or will be distributed, at least not for the reasons I am using the system for.

Now I am curious as to what you guys use: Torbox/Tails/Liberte or some combination, or your own completely custom setup.
Do you use a VPN? Yes/No? Why?

Thanks for any input and I am open to constructive criticism,
Ctech
Title: Re: Security comparison. Torbox vs Liberte/Tails (What do you use?)
Post by: alchemistor on September 06, 2012, 07:08 am
Hey mate.. I'm running a similar setup.

I've got Tails running on a VM inside of a hidden truecrypt volume on my harddrive. You didn't mention anything about having your VM inside an encrypted partition, so it's something i'd recommend you look into.

I'm also behind a VPN. A lot of people advise against it for these reasons:
1. You have to pay for the VPN exposing you to a possible money trail
2. If the VPN's servers are seized your information may be compromised.
3. They don't improve safety..

I find these claims to certainly be legit, but this is why I personally use a VPN:
1. It hides the fact that I use Tor from my ISP.
2. My VPN allows payment via bitcoin (I would NEVER use one that didn't).
3. My VPN's servers are located in Sweden and they have a no-log policy... A lot of VPN's claim to have a no-logging policy, and it's very possible some lie about it. I took a chance with this VPN provider.


My ISP can still see that I use a VPN.. but what's worse, them seeing I use a VPN or them seeing I use Tor.. Obviously, I thought Tor was the worse choice. It all comes down to who you trust more.. Your ISP or a VPN provider.

Title: Re: Security comparison. Torbox vs Liberte/Tails (What do you use?)
Post by: Ctech13 on September 11, 2012, 09:32 pm
Hey man thanks for the reply.

I do need to look more into encryption. I have downloaded truecrypt but have yet to actually put it to use.

I came to about the same conclusion when debating whether or not to use a vpn.
Mine was paid for with bitcoin from a anon one time use ewallet.
Also with servers also placed outside of the country.

I will look further into encrypting my partition a little later tonight.

Cheers,
Ctech
Title: Re: Security comparison. Torbox vs Liberte/Tails (What do you use?)
Post by: Ctech13 on September 11, 2012, 11:59 pm
if membership concealment from your isp is what you seek, get obfsproxy and put your faith in the unbreakable laws of math instead of putting your faith in some guy halfway around the globe

So I take it that you are against the use of VPNs than Shannon?
Title: Re: Security comparison. Torbox vs Liberte/Tails (What do you use?)
Post by: Ctech13 on September 12, 2012, 12:45 am
Fair enough, thanks for the post and look forward to hearing what you have to say  ;D
Title: Re: Security comparison. Torbox vs Liberte/Tails (What do you use?)
Post by: Bungee54 on September 12, 2012, 11:54 am
The probaly most secure/expensive way would be ( please correct us) 

Create your own non-logging vpn->

http://holgr.com/blog/2009/06/setting-up-openvpn-on-amazons-ec2/

then use your VPN (non logging claim + sweden ..heavy privacy laws etc)      from there (doubble vpn)

to anotherr vps you own where you vnc in and use a encrypted VM whicch torifies everything and pbfsproxy..

there iss  even a plugin out there which opbfuscates your traffic so it looks like a normal skype call..

and of course connect trough free or cracked wifi / prepaid anonymous prepaid card ...

if that isnt secure we are all lost  8)

everythin paid with BTC of course--for amazon you probably can exchange btc to voucher)
Title: Re: Security comparison. Torbox vs Liberte/Tails (What do you use?)
Post by: wretched on September 12, 2012, 10:52 pm
i don't feel like posting my full thoughts now (will later) but i'm very much against vpns

but how do you feel about VPNs?

I mean, have you worked with TorBox at all? I had some funny issues when I ran it (only ran it once) when I went to check.torproject.org it gave me the congrats message, and I could surf clearnet sites and see the activity in arm. However, I couldn't access a single .onion site except for ONE and it is another board I think you might be on also under a different nym, and that board always seems to connect, and it is fast as hell (for me anyway)  very strange behavior, and yes my system clocks were all correct.
Title: Re: Security comparison. Torbox vs Liberte/Tails (What do you use?)
Post by: DUGGLER on September 12, 2012, 11:39 pm
TorBox works perfectly for me and I'm a total VM newb, I'd try it again if I were you mate.
Title: Re: Security comparison. Torbox vs Liberte/Tails (What do you use?)
Post by: Ctech13 on September 13, 2012, 12:58 am
I couldn't access a single .onion site except for ONE

Never had this problem with my TorBox setup either, you might want to try reloading the VMs, and pay attention to the networking portion of the install instructions. I would run in inside of a dedicated partition with a separate OS from your main.
Title: Re: Security comparison. Torbox vs Liberte/Tails (What do you use?)
Post by: TerryTate on September 13, 2012, 06:07 am
Wow this all seems really complex. I'm just using the tor browser bundle and gpg software off of a usb on windows7 . I'm only going to be buying small amounts here and there though. I hope it's enough security.