Silk Road forums

Discussion => Security => Topic started by: AnotherPlebe on July 07, 2012, 02:48 am

Title: Looking for Help Switching to Liberte
Post by: AnotherPlebe on July 07, 2012, 02:48 am
So I'm pretty much a security noob, and any tips you may have could be helpful.
As a beginner, I've been using Tor Browser Bundle for accessing Tor most of the time. I've heard Liberte is the better option, and I plan to switch to using it as my only access point to Tor, but I have two major questions first:

First, I'd like to add some more software. Now as the official Liberte FAQ states, the way to do this would be to build a custom image. Frankly, I don't know where to start with that. Is that something that a beginner can learn quickly? If not, are there any reliable pre-built custom Liberte builds I can get a hold of? Too be honest, I can survive without adding new software, but I wanted to add KeePass, as I've already built up a fairly extensive database that I don't want to have to replicate into the Liberte default "Figaro's Password Manager 2" just because that would take time, and I prefer KeePass. I also wanted to add Truecrypt as trusting the security of the OTFE encrypted volume for everything seems like I'm putting all my eggs into one basket. Again I realize that neither of these are absolutely necessary, but I would prefer it if I could add them.

Second, I need to make sure that everything is fine and dandy and clean on my PC. As I said, I have been using Tor Browser Bundle on my comp, running Windows XP, for several weeks. I have not actually made a purchase on here as of yet. I still want to clear out most, if not all, traces of my Silk Road and Silk Road Forums usage. I've read other threads advocating DBAN for this, but I was wondering if I could just run CCleaner with the clear free space option enabled, with secure file deletion set at 7 passes. I know DBAN would be technically more effective, but is it absolutely necessary?
Title: Re: Looking for Help Switching to Liberte
Post by: Omega Rushmore on July 07, 2012, 05:22 am
Hey Man, welcome to the 'Road.

I'm using a Liberte Linux liveUSB right now and I don't really have any need for those other programs you want to add to the build.  Not necessary, especially if you're just going to be a small-time buyer.

If you're going to deal, then maybe yeah, look into customizing your own build.  It'll be like learning a new language, so if you don't have mad  computer skiiz, then I'd pass and use the Liberte as is.

As for any files on your PC, if you're super paranoid, just reinstall the OS and don't touch any darknet stuff with it again...boot to your Liberte Linux liveUSB for access to the 'Road and you'll be fine. 

I basically memorized the onion links to the forums and to the 'Road, and that's all I need to access, no desire to save any type of files or such locally.

Anyways, hope some of that helped.

Omega Rushmore



Title: Re: Looking for Help Switching to Liberte
Post by: AnotherPlebe on July 07, 2012, 02:02 pm
Thank you both of you, and especially you, Guru, as this is the second time I asked a question and you responded with a thorough, highly informative post. I think I will try Tails out, as it seems to be able to fix both of the problems I had.
Also since you wouldn't trust CCleaner, does that mean you would use DBAN for this, or something else?
Title: Re: Looking for Help Switching to Liberte
Post by: CaptainSensible on July 09, 2012, 12:23 am

I'm a regular Tails user & I start in Bridge mode to solve the entry guard issue. 


As Guru wrote earlier, hit the TAB key at the Tails menu. This will take you to a command-line where you can modify the boot options.  Type in 'bridge' (without the quotes) along with the other options such as truecrypt.  When Tails starts it takes you the configuration screen for using a bridge.  I keep a text file with the three bridges I got from bridges.torproject.org so I can enter them.  It's a pain because it has to be done each time you start Tails, but it solves the "no persistent guard" problem.


Secondly, you can use Keepass but it must be installed at the command line each time you start Tails.  After you have your bridges configured open a root terminal window and, at the command line, type
  apt-get update 


When that finishes type in
  apt-get install keepassx
 
You'll have KeepassX installed & accessable from the drop-down menu.  Yes, it's a lot of work but you can use the Keepass database you already have. 


[ Edit: there may be another version of Keepass for Linux out there, in which case you'll either use keepass2 or just plain keepass when you type in "apt-get install xxxx" ]
Title: Re: Looking for Help Switching to Liberte
Post by: CaptainSensible on July 09, 2012, 03:25 pm

That's interesting. I tried installing keepassx using apt-get and got an error message to the effect that the package wasn't found. I'll have to try this again, and I'll also try using the bridge option.

+1

Guru

     XXXXXXXXX

[  EDIT:  switched to Tails version 0.12 and yes, the correct command is    apt-get install keepassx

Now before you run the above command you must first run  apt-get update    ]
Title: Re: Looking for Help Switching to Liberte
Post by: anonamuse on July 10, 2012, 12:19 am
Also since you wouldn't trust CCleaner, does that mean you would use DBAN for this, or something else?

Don't trust CCleaner, go straight for DBAN and nuke that hard drive. DOD sweep or there's even a paranoid sweep, go for whatever suits and then fresh install and you're good to go.
Title: Re: Looking for Help Switching to Liberte
Post by: bolovide on July 10, 2012, 05:31 am
Lots of good information in here.  Thanks to all parties!