Silk Road forums

Discussion => Security => Topic started by: Hungry ghost on May 12, 2012, 10:48 pm

Title: Bitcoin anonymity?
Post by: Hungry ghost on May 12, 2012, 10:48 pm
Hi, I'm new to this site and almost ready to start buying. I'm in the uk and I'm looking for a way to purchase bitcoins without them being connected to me. If I run TOR browser from a USB thumb drive, and use instawallets, exchanging bitcoins for cash in the post, this will be reasonably anonymous right? It won't leave obvious trace on my laptop ( I'm only gonna be buying small amounts so I'm not seriously concerned my laptop will be seized, but id like to take some basic precautions). Alternatively I could buy them from intersango using my bank account but then flip em through a couple of instawallets and bitcoin fog? ( this seems slightly less secure to me). I had initially downloaded bitcoin to my laptop but I don't need this do I? Best to delete it.
      I used to order stuff from online pharmacys openly, this now seems terribly naive.
But it still seems that the weakest link in the chain is actually receiving the stuff.
Anymore advice would be greatly appreciated
Title: Re: Bitcoin anonymity?
Post by: vlad1m1r on May 12, 2012, 11:15 pm
Hi, I'm new to this site and almost ready to start buying. I'm in the uk and I'm looking for a way to purchase bitcoins without them being connected to me. If I run TOR browser from a USB thumb drive, and use instawallets, exchanging bitcoins for cash in the post, this will be reasonably anonymous right? It won't leave obvious trace on my laptop ( I'm only gonna be buying small amounts so I'm not seriously concerned my laptop will be seized, but id like to take some basic precautions). Alternatively I could buy them from intersango using my bank account but then flip em through a couple of instawallets and bitcoin fog? ( this seems slightly less secure to me). I had initially downloaded bitcoin to my laptop but I don't need this do I? Best to delete it.
      I used to order stuff from online pharmacys openly, this now seems terribly naive.
But it still seems that the weakest link in the chain is actually receiving the stuff.
Anymore advice would be greatly appreciated
Title: Re: Bitcoin anonymity?
Post by: jtemp102311 on May 12, 2012, 11:23 pm
Quick read, FBI report on Bitcoin,
best and juciest info I could get out:

""
(U) What Users Can Do To Increase Anonymity16,17,18,19
· (U)Create and use a new Bitcoin address for each incoming payment.
· (U) Route all Bitcoin traffic through an anonymizer.
· (U) Combine the balance of old Bitcoin addresses into a new address to make new payments.
· (U) Use a specialized money laundering service.
· (U) Use a third-party eWallet service to consolidate addresses. Some third-party services offer the option of
creating an eWallet that allows users to consolidate many bitcoin address and store and easily access their
bitcoins from any device.
· (U) Individuals can create Bitcoin clients to seamlessly increase anonymity (such as allowing user to
choose which Bitcoin addresses to make payments from), making it easier for non-technically savvy users
to anonymize their Bitcoin transactions.
""
Title: Re: Bitcoin anonymity?
Post by: Hungry ghost on May 13, 2012, 12:00 am
Thanks guys....Vlad1m1r, it was actually you I had in mind as I had seen you recommended in several threads. Ill probably be in touch sooner or later. Jtemp, I will have a good read of that...I'm glad I didn't just jump in because the more I read the more there seems to be to understand. Its all very interesting
Title: Re: Bitcoin anonymity?
Post by: Hungry ghost on May 13, 2012, 12:23 am
I also wondered...can I run the GPA software from a removable USB too? When I tried it my virus protection acted up; presumably I can  instruct it to ignore it. It just occured to me that obviously despite all my precautions if I have all the public keys of SR vendors on my laptop its going to be a giveaway. At least if they are all on a USB I can a) hide it or b) stick it up my arse.
     Obviously I realise that if my computer is seized by MI5 none of this amateur stuff will protect me....but I just want to outwit a nosey police officer having a look round after they seize a few valium. I cant see them sending their cyber crime team after me.
Title: Re: Bitcoin anonymity?
Post by: vlad1m1r on May 13, 2012, 12:24 am
Thanks guys....Vlad1m1r, it was actually you I had in mind as I had seen you recommended in several threads. Ill probably be in touch sooner or later. Jtemp, I will have a good read of that...I'm glad I didn't just jump in because the more I read the more there seems to be to understand. Its all very interesting

Sorry buddy seemed my post didn't percolate through! Anyway you're right in saying figuring out the BTC network is a bit involved, any questions please ask!

V.