Silk Road forums

Discussion => Newbie discussion => Topic started by: GreenKarma on August 30, 2013, 11:27 pm

Title: Hello!
Post by: GreenKarma on August 30, 2013, 11:27 pm
Hey everyone. Registered on SR a week ago and have been soaking it all in... wow.
Ok so I've been reading a lot of what the vendors have to say, as well as reading comments and reviews, getting a better grasp on best safe practices.
Running a linux box, using Tor bundle configured to use bridges, etc. Even bought my first BTC a few days ago.
All I have left to do really is get a firm working knowledge on using PGP encryption (i know there are some nice guides here and elsewhere). Any hard lessons you guys and gals have learned that I should know, feel free to enlighten me.
Well, that's all for now.. First post!
-GK
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: Medstorez on August 30, 2013, 11:30 pm
dont fe ever personal warning everyone has there ownd iff opinions
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: ReD EyE on August 30, 2013, 11:40 pm
 ;D
Welcome as was just said never FE and be careful x10.  :)
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: Judge Bud on August 31, 2013, 12:46 am
dont fe ever personal warning everyone has there ownd iff opinions

^^^^^I third this!

-Judge
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: GreenKarma on August 31, 2013, 03:17 pm
Cool, NEVER FE. Got it.
Thanks. Does everyone use a proxy and a vpn along with Tor, or have people been relatively safe just using Tor and PGP?
Seems like using a proxy along with Tor (bridged) would be slow as hell..
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: Eduphar on August 31, 2013, 04:11 pm
What is fe?
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: Judge Bud on August 31, 2013, 10:47 pm
What is fe?

FE is short for "Finalizing Early" i.e. releasing your funds to the vendor before receiving your product. Its a sure way to get scammed. The escrow system is set up for your protection

-Judge
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: Judge Bud on August 31, 2013, 10:49 pm
Cool, NEVER FE. Got it.
Thanks. Does everyone use a proxy and a vpn along with Tor, or have people been relatively safe just using Tor and PGP?
Seems like using a proxy along with Tor (bridged) would be slow as hell..

It depends on how safe you want to be. I think your activity on the site should dictate this. People that are buying personal amts just use Tor with pgp

-Judge
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: ds on August 31, 2013, 11:00 pm
Sounds to me like you're all set.

Never FE.
Use PGP.
Only do business with trusted vendors unless you're in a gambling mood.
Shop domestic wherever possible.
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: Judge Bud on August 31, 2013, 11:03 pm
Shop domestic wherever possible.

Another great point! At times it can be more pricey...but its EXTREMELY safer.

-Judge
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: ds on August 31, 2013, 11:09 pm
Off-topic but those stats in your sig are sick, Judge. Average order $1.5k? lol
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: MiaFoxtail12 on August 31, 2013, 11:12 pm
Hi
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: sinaloacartel on September 01, 2013, 05:57 am
u spend some seriouse cash in sr what is your drug of choice
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: GreenKarma on September 02, 2013, 12:56 am
Cool, NEVER FE. Got it.
Thanks. Does everyone use a proxy and a vpn along with Tor, or have people been relatively safe just using Tor and PGP?
Seems like using a proxy along with Tor (bridged) would be slow as hell..

It depends on how safe you want to be. I think your activity on the site should dictate this. People that are buying personal amts just use Tor with pgp

-Judge
Thanks Judge, you answered my question simply and plainly.
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: wannaghana on September 02, 2013, 01:31 am
Hi GreenKarma!
At first welcome,i m a newbie too and i was really going crazy for the PGP encrypting messages stuff...
Sooo here there is a tutorial on youtube (is really easy 12 mins video and intuitif)
I only hope it s not against the rules in the forum (i didnt find anything about it).

So,in my personal opinion  this is the best tutorial for PGP.
(on my tor it doesnt open,if it does on yours i suggest you to take more than a look in this topic : http://dkn255hz262ypmii.onion/index.php?topic=200253.0 )

And this is the youtube tutorial (at the end you can notice that the guy is explicitely doing this for SR) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t-eFIYhIYk

I do not own any rights about it.I hope it s not against the rules of the forum and i hope it will be useful for you an many others :)

Cheers
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: RS7FI8ZRkm on September 02, 2013, 01:32 am
:) welcome!
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: Eduphar on September 02, 2013, 09:41 am
What is fe?

FE is short for "Finalizing Early" i.e. releasing your funds to the vendor before receiving your product. Its a sure way to get scammed. The escrow system is set up for your protection

-Judge

thanks, I'm looking to start selling this week. Other than PGP, is there anything major I should be aware about? [I have read the selling wiki!].

Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: GreenKarma on September 02, 2013, 04:05 pm
Thanks for the suggested links Wannaghana, I'll check them out.
And thank you for the warm welcomes from all.
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: n0nc3s on September 02, 2013, 04:21 pm
What is fe?

FE is short for "Finalizing Early" i.e. releasing your funds to the vendor before receiving your product. Its a sure way to get scammed. The escrow system is set up for your protection

-Judge

thanks, I'm looking to start selling this week. Other than PGP, is there anything major I should be aware about? [I have read the selling wiki!].

The best advice I've ever gotten is that security, anonymity and privacy are far more about behavior than technology.  All the encryption in the world isn't much use if you leave critical info lying around (whole or in part) on post-it notes.  Receiving, processing, shipping, etc... it's all best thought of as a ritual.  Stray from the ritual and something goes bad - trust is violated, someone is hurt, etc.  The proper use and understanding of your means of communication is your means of business and lots of us will pay more to make sure our information is handled with an OCD-level of thoroughness and care. 

Looking forward to seeing your products!
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: FoleyFoleyF on September 02, 2013, 05:36 pm
Yo, welcome.
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: cbdx_en on September 02, 2013, 06:13 pm
Hello

Use of vpn if possible is always preferred! Make sure scripts on your browser are disabled and you are using tor outside your normal everyday browser. Try not to use your ISP's DNS servers just in case you click on any of the clearnet links provided in this forum.

NEVER EVER USE same password for SR or this forum with any other clearnet sites. Password re-use is a serious no-no here..
And don't post your stats, like how much you bought and when you bought it.

Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: bedtime666 on September 02, 2013, 06:26 pm
Speaking of this thread, what should a noobie buy for an anon-only laptop? I'm wanting to run some form of Linux on it, I've heard Debian is a very security oriented OS. Can someone list some must haves on a secure-system shopping list?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: cbdx_en on September 02, 2013, 06:32 pm
Speaking of this thread, what should a noobie buy for an anon-only laptop? I'm wanting to run some form of Linux on it, I've heard Debian is a very security oriented OS. Can someone list some must haves on a secure-system shopping list?

Thanks!


A bootable usb drive with damn small linux installed on it should be sufficient. Make sure it is encrypted and it can be easily hidden.
Then use any laptop to boot this usb. Use unsecured wireless networks if available.
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: Eduphar on September 02, 2013, 06:53 pm
What is fe?

FE is short for "Finalizing Early" i.e. releasing your funds to the vendor before receiving your product. Its a sure way to get scammed. The escrow system is set up for your protection

-Judge

thanks, I'm looking to start selling this week. Other than PGP, is there anything major I should be aware about? [I have read the selling wiki!].

The best advice I've ever gotten is that security, anonymity and privacy are far more about behavior than technology.  All the encryption in the world isn't much use if you leave critical info lying around (whole or in part) on post-it notes.  Receiving, processing, shipping, etc... it's all best thought of as a ritual.  Stray from the ritual and something goes bad - trust is violated, someone is hurt, etc.  The proper use and understanding of your means of communication is your means of business and lots of us will pay more to make sure our information is handled with an OCD-level of thoroughness and care. 

Looking forward to seeing your products!

Thanks for the information. I have just listed my first product, I will look at PGP tomorrow with the aim to implementing it as soon as possible.

My username here is the same as on SR. Is that safe?

My previous transactions outside SR have all gone well, I am very careful with personal information!!

Many thanks
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: Judge Bud on September 02, 2013, 11:13 pm
Cool, NEVER FE. Got it.
Thanks. Does everyone use a proxy and a vpn along with Tor, or have people been relatively safe just using Tor and PGP?
Seems like using a proxy along with Tor (bridged) would be slow as hell..

It depends on how safe you want to be. I think your activity on the site should dictate this. People that are buying personal amts just use Tor with pgp

-Judge
Thanks Judge, you answered my question simply and plainly.

You got it man! Safe travels!

-Judge
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: //Prometheus// on September 03, 2013, 03:56 am
awesome thread!!
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: EverAfterGlow on September 03, 2013, 08:17 am
My advice.

Use PGP and only use vendors who use PGP, because it shows they are somewhat cautious. Dumb/careless vendors can compromise their buyers security in a number of ways.
 
Always do as much research as possible on any vendor that you plan on using. Forums, Feedback, and then watch over time. DON'T spontaneously order just because something looks good.

If it looks too good to be true it probably is a scam.
 
Connect to Tor networks using connections that have no attatchment to you.

Use a computer that doesn't contain your personal info...

Smaller buys are more likely to escape detection.

Domestic is a lot safer.

Don't use TOR to browse clearnet, only SR.

Don't open any downloaded files while using Tor.

Don't start vending unless you want to be paranoid for the rest of your life. :D

Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: Belkamide on September 03, 2013, 10:41 am
Kleopatra is actually much easier to use than it appears. Simple and fast once I learned the trick - go to the system tray, right click on the Kleo icon, and work from the clipboard.
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: GreenKarma on September 03, 2013, 10:16 pm
Hello

Use of vpn if possible is always preferred! Make sure scripts on your browser are disabled and you are using tor outside your normal everyday browser. Try not to use your ISP's DNS servers just in case you click on any of the clearnet links provided in this forum.

NEVER EVER USE same password for SR or this forum with any other clearnet sites. Password re-use is a serious no-no here..
And don't post your stats, like how much you bought and when you bought it.
More good advice, and luckily I've already followed most of it. Not sure how to edit my DNS on linux, but I'll figure that out on my own. Password thing is a must, I agree. However, I am using my real SR alias here in the forum, just not my account user name.
Nor am I using the same pwd here as I am for SR main. Thanks cbdx_en!

My advice.

Use PGP and only use vendors who use PGP, because it shows they are somewhat cautious. Dumb/careless vendors can compromise their buyers security in a number of ways.
 
Always do as much research as possible on any vendor that you plan on using. Forums, Feedback, and then watch over time. DON'T spontaneously order just because something looks good.

If it looks too good to be true it probably is a scam.
 
Connect to Tor networks using connections that have no attatchment to you.

Use a computer that doesn't contain your personal info...

Smaller buys are more likely to escape detection.

Domestic is a lot safer.

Don't use TOR to browse clearnet, only SR.

Don't open any downloaded files while using Tor.

Don't start vending unless you want to be paranoid for the rest of your life. :D
Wonderful advice EverAfterGlow, especially the last one  ;D

This thread has been very encouraging, for the info and the helpfulness of the community.
1. Always use Tor (with a linux box helps keep out the Win-Holes (with a VPN for another layer of security if it feels too hot))
2. Learn to use PGP. Absolute must for ordering (you will see me next in the newbie PGP thread!)
3. Never FE. Never FE. and then again, just Never FE!!
4. Research your prospective vendors before using them, expect professionalism.
5. Ordering domestic is much safer even if it's not necessarily cheaper.
6. Keep all aspects of your SR account/pwd different from any other site, and make them complex.
7. Treat your vendor with respect and FOD <-- Finalize on Delivery

Thanks again, I'll be moving to the newbie PGP thread and also be start another concerning transaction etiquette.
Cheers!
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: cbdx_en on September 11, 2013, 01:31 pm
To change dns on linux all you have to do is to edit /etc/resolv.conf as root

place an entry like the above (w/o quotes) and you should be fine..

"nameserver 8.8.8.8"
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: Weaponstech on September 11, 2013, 04:42 pm
welcome! and like everyone said, dont finalize early, there are a lot of scams here, dont want a member getting discouraged with SR. GOOD LUCK TO YOU.  ;)
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: GreenKarma on September 30, 2013, 04:06 pm
To change dns on linux all you have to do is to edit /etc/resolv.conf as root

place an entry like the above (w/o quotes) and you should be fine..

"nameserver 8.8.8.8"
Thanks man, good info! BTW, isn't that a Verizon dns address? 4.2.2.2 is another useable IP.

Also, thanks for the warm welcome WeaponsTech!
Cheers!
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: cccp1234 on September 30, 2013, 07:11 pm
usefull info great tread