Silk Road forums
Discussion => Security => Topic started by: yokes101 on June 11, 2012, 03:33 pm
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Hi everybody. Im new to Silk Road, Glad to have finally found a service like this!
I think i understand the basics of how things work here like TOR and the GPG encryptions, but bitcoin is a little bit confusing.
As far as I can make out there are ways of buying bitcoin that can be tracked, Am I right in saying that? If so what exchange service should I stay away from?
Can some one please tell me a safe way of getting cash or money from a VCC into bitcoin in Europe?
Also I don't fully understand what the Bitcoin wallet is for or what bitcoin fog is used for.
One last thing is it essential is use Liberte while using silk road?
Sorry for all the noob questions just want to stay safe. :D
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Hey,
I haven't been here very long either, but I guess you'd like a quick answer so I'll try...
If you buy bitcoins by any means linked to you, there's obviously proof that you bought bitcoins. Not illegal, but you'll be more interesting (SR=drugs in mail+btc; so if they find both they will get some ideas, right?). And I think btc can be tracked by more sophisticated investigators.
Bitcoins by cash you can buy from a vendor on SR called vlad1m1r, he has positive feedback, and is quite active in the security thread, so he might also help you with your questions. VCC I don't know. Maybe look at en.bitcoin.it (btc Wiki) to find merchants that accept them.
I haven't gotten deep into the bitcoin science, was just searching ways to get them anonymously, so someone else can explain you more.
As I understand the wallet is an address (combination of letters and numbers in fact) linked to a number of btc that you can access, most merchant sites have so-called online wallets, you use it similarly to online banking (deposit/withdraw btc by sending them from/to another btc address). Please someone who understands this do explain it correctly, I just found it all worked, so I haven't read up on it (yet).
Again from newbie perspective: Bitcoinfog (http://fogcore5n3ov3tui.onion) splits up your transfers and mixes them with those of other bcf users, so it's much more difficult if not impossible to track them. If you use it to deposit into SR, your btc will come split up in small amounts over a few hours, min 6. Probably unnecessary when you've bought your btc anonymously in the first place.
Liberte and TAILS are live OS that run on your computer without leaving a trace. Your usual OS doesn't boot but instead the live OS is loaded into your RAM from a CD or USB stick. Shut down your computer - no trail of it anymore. It's recommended because the Tor browser bundle supposedly leaves traces on your HD that could point to SR.
I depends on what OS you have to make them work, this forum is full of guides how to use liberte/TAILS, and discussions on how secure they might actually be.
Hope this helps for a start.
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Hey,
I haven't been here very long either, but I guess you'd like a quick answer so I'll try...
If you buy bitcoins by any means linked to you, there's obviously proof that you bought bitcoins. Not illegal, but you'll be more interesting (SR=drugs in mail+btc; so if they find both they will get some ideas, right?). And I think btc can be tracked by more sophisticated investigators.
Bitcoins by cash you can buy from a vendor on SR called vlad1m1r, he has positive feedback, and is quite active in the security thread, so he might also help you with your questions. VCC I don't know. Maybe look at en.bitcoin.it (btc Wiki) to find merchants that accept them.
I haven't gotten deep into the bitcoin science, was just searching ways to get them anonymously, so someone else can explain you more.
As I understand the wallet is an address (combination of letters and numbers in fact) linked to a number of btc that you can access, most merchant sites have so-called online wallets, you use it similarly to online banking (deposit/withdraw btc by sending them from/to another btc address). Please someone who understands this do explain it correctly, I just found it all worked, so I haven't read up on it (yet).
Again from newbie perspective: Bitcoinfog (http://fogcore5n3ov3tui.onion) splits up your transfers and mixes them with those of other bcf users, so it's much more difficult if not impossible to track them. If you use it to deposit into SR, your btc will come split up in small amounts over a few hours, min 6. Probably unnecessary when you've bought your btc anonymously in the first place.
Liberte and TAILS are live OS that run on your computer without leaving a trace. Your usual OS doesn't boot but instead the live OS is loaded into your RAM from a CD or USB stick. Shut down your computer - no trail of it anymore. It's recommended because the Tor browser bundle supposedly leaves traces on your HD that could point to SR.
I depends on what OS you have to make them work, this forum is full of guides how to use liberte/TAILS, and discussions on how secure they might actually be.
Hope this helps for a start.
Thanks Hel You have been really helpful! :)
I found vlad1m1r profile, So you have done business with him and he is trustworthy?
If so I will get in touch with him.
So if my online accounts like silk road have there own bitcoin wallets I can get them sent straight there from the supplier (such as vlad1m1r) and never have to use the bitcoin wallet on my desktop?
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Tried my best ;)
About vlad1m1r, I am actually trying him out now. But the letter can't have arrived yet. He answers fast to questions and is easy to deal with. So I don't really worry. And what he does is not that risky for him I guess, so he can make more money in the long run with repeat customers than by running with a weeks worth or so (till word gets out). I can't see how scamming would make sense from a business perspective.
Yeah you don't really need a desktop wallet, it's probably safer, but I never used one. I think its not risky to have btc that are not linked to you deposited into your SR account. But you can use bitcoinfog if you're paranoid, but they charge a little fee and it takes time.
Read up some more on security, I'm no expert, and take the whole thing as the gamble that it is ;)
If anyone thinks I'm giving out bad/reckless advice correct me.
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I would highly recommend Vlad1m1r, he's a great guy that has a service where you send him cash in the mail in exchange for bitcoins. Great at helping a noob out (me) and have used him in the past.
Locker.
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+1 for vlad1m1r.
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Yes vlad1m1r is really helpful! Good guy. I think he's in for the long run, and maybe also not just for the money. Ok, his price for anonymity seems a bit steep at first, but then what will it cost when you're in trouble? Just pm him already and follow your instinct :) As others said, he doesn't mind noob questions either.
What I forgot, if you were online on SR using your Tor browser bundle, you should backup important files somewhere and reinstall your OS after wiping your HD. OSX: Disk Utility, Win: DBAN.
hel
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As mentioned by almost everyone else, as you are in the UK vlad1m1r is your best local agent for this sort of transaction.
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I have been talking to vlad1m1r, Ever thing seem to be going well.
Just about to send my first bit of cash to him. I will report back when I get my bitcoin.
Thanks for your help everybody! :)