1. If it is not open source don't touch it 2. Compile it yourself, if they provide binaries only don't touch them 3. Wait for people who know the language it is in to go over the code and verify it. Multiple people. Preferably people with high post counts or good reputations. 4. If their code requires that you use external programs or libraries, only use them if you independently download them, not if they are bundled together 5. Download any potentially required additional software anonymously through Tor , from the official source only 6. Make sure that any required additional software is open source and well known, not some shit thrown together by the person offering the original program but presented as separate 7. The code must be posted publicly and available to everyone for auditing purposes. Sorry, no selling closed source programs here, it isn't secure. Sorry, no restricted access to code here, everyone needs to be able to see it to help the community determine if it is safe. 8. Avoid buying preconfigured USB devices or electronics here. There are legitimate open source options like Liberte and Tails. Use those, they are free ! In general you should avoid using programs created by people on silk road. There could be some valid exceptions! If you don't violate any of the stated rules here, and someone offers something really nice and useful, you should be pretty safe. If any of the above rules are violated, don't touch that shit.