Silk Road forums

Discussion => Silk Road discussion => Topic started by: Joeyoneway on September 19, 2012, 11:47 pm

Title: Why can't I get on SR?
Post by: Joeyoneway on September 19, 2012, 11:47 pm
I have Tor, I have no problem getting on this Forum or any other website, but every time I cut and paste a SR link to try to go to the market place in the address box I just get a "Problem Loading Page" error page. I have a Mac and the first time I tried to get on I got on no problem, but never since has it worked. Do I need to disable something? Download something else? HELP, this is driving me crazy, I don't know what I'm doing wrong and why I can't get on the site??  :(
Title: Re: Why can't I get on SR?
Post by: kitkat82 on September 19, 2012, 11:57 pm
what link are you using?
Title: Re: Why can't I get on SR?
Post by: megaboos1234 on September 20, 2012, 03:24 am
I've got the same problem! Were you able to solve it??
Title: Re: Why can't I get on SR?
Post by: pine on September 20, 2012, 12:58 pm
= Procedure for figuring out what to do if you can't reach SR. =

1. Ensure you have the most up to date copy of Tor.

2. That was the easy part. After you download this copy, ensure that it is *really* the right thing by validating it. Governments have setup fake copies of the Tor Project website before now and attempted various types of MITM (man in the middle) attacks to deliver a 'special' version of the Tor software to your desktop. This is not a drill, this is not even that
difficult to achieve, so pay attention, this may sound like esoteric geek bullshit, but it is not, this is a real world situation.

There is a way to cryptographically know whether you received the correct file from the developers. Note: if the developers have guns to their heads, this advice
stops working, since they could be compelled to sign off that the file is correct even though it is a fake. But if the developers are honest, then this advice works.
And believe me, it would take nothing less than a gun to the head to make the Tor project do this, that's a subject worthy of a entire post really, but I must digress and get back on topic:

   2.1  Go to https://www.torproject.org/
   2.2. Download the copy appropriate for your operating system as in step 1.0
   2.3  Download the sig. This looks like this for the most recent copy of the Mac TBB for example:

          https://www.torproject.org/dist/torbrowser/tor-browser-2.2.39-1_en-US.exe.asc

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG/MacGPG2 v2.0.17 (Darwin)

iQEcBAABAgAGBQJQUFBCAAoJEEFvBhBj/uZZJwoIAJtXhkLg3tu+gmJ4/QCUceDF
wr+bS2pzM8iK1EpN5f4W/A5qNFWL7IPqhmbNP1BIAPIbS845vZ+8P0FSc7AMUwiS
4PJW65OanVEEYTvCJMrxGYhoQSaMA/O/7QJbB5vuTZiuCtbMcPcXl9F74NQ6gMKN
czt+2RCtBbyBdwFg2ALNM9LSXSmR2x1jlbJ59Onr6c/t7QhcxGfY+cZCUrSfbuNm
ajgSUTgv6XuutJgW0UvuCEeEQ3Ll+aGmvGklFSGzsmZhI2H9ouK3u/Yv8Ev3dzPP
G6cbk5IhbIC4qOvEvur2q4FiF3QgXlXPXZnBjLk4qXnV8xy8S3PpWhaVklpJpJc=
=kHMr
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

This will change for every single version of the TBB software that is released, so ensure you go to the website to obtain the correct .asc file.

    2.4 Put the .asc file in the same folder as the Tor Browser Bundle .exe file you just downloaded. Good good.

    2.5 Import Erinn Clarke's public key. She signs off on the TBB packages. See here to confirm this: https://www.torproject.org/docs/verifying-signatures.html.en

Here it is:  http://pgp.mit.edu:11371/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0x416F061063FEE659

Go there because if you follow the Tor Project's advice you would be extracting Erinn's public key over clearnet to your real IP address, something I'm not a big fan of doing.
My way you can obtain the correct public key via Tor completely anonymously.

Double check that the PGP public key mentioned at the Tor Project website (key ID: 63FEE659) has the same key ID as the link I just gave you. You could do that
by searching for "erinn@torproject.org" at the MIT PGP key servers at http://pgp.mit.edu . I mean, don't just take my word for it!

    2.6 Save Erinn's marvelous (designation: longcat) public key to a text file. Then import that into your GPG software.

    2.7 If you choose to sign Erinn's public key, then you should be doing this locally. If you don't know what this means, then don't do it at all. Essentially if you don't sign a public key locally you wind up sending your signature over clearnet to the key servers, which was probably not your intention since it means the key servers would have your real IP address. You can torify GPG easily, but that's a discussion for another day.

    2.8 Now you are almost ready. Open up the command line or terminal on your machine. If you don't know how to do this, google it, it's not difficult.

    2.9. The syntax for validating that the Tor software is what the developers wanted you to download is this:
       
           gpg.exe --verify textfile.asc software.exe

    2.10 You will need to navigate using the cd command to your PGP software's install directory until you find gpg.exe (Time for you to study a small command line tutorial online maybe, you will need to understand what commands like 'cd', 'dir' are about if you're on Windows, and 'cd' and 'ls' if you're on Linux, also you'll need to know where the GPG software is located on your OS, GPG is usually included on Linux by default and can be run anywhere, but Windows users will need to go looking for the correct install directory to achieve the same thing).

    2.11 You are now in the appropriate install directory where gpg is located (assuming windows OS here). Then, after typing in gpg.exe --verify, you will need to type in the directory address to textfile.asc (e.g. tor-browser-2.2.39-1_en-US.exe.asc) and also to software.exe (e.g. tor-browser-2.2.39-1_en-US.exe). Remember it is backslashes for windows, forward slashes for linux when you're typing in a directory path.

             Time saving note: When you're in the right directory you can press 'tab' until the command line fill feature presents you with the correct file, this is much easier than typing or even copy pasting.

    2.12 For a new computer user, this ^ sounds like a serious pain in the butt. I recommend, instead of giving up out of frustration, you simply copy the .asc and .exe files into the directory that gpg.exe is living in. Then type in the syntax I mentioned earlier gpg.exe --verify textfile.asc  software.exe and you should get this:

Code: [Select]
gpg: armor header: Version: GnuPG/MacGPG2 v2.0.17 (Darwin)

gpg: Signature made 09/12/12 10:05:06 GMT Daylight Time using RSA key ID 63FEE659
gpg: Good signature from "Erinn Clark <erinn@torproject.org>"
gpg:                 aka "Erinn Clark <erinn@debian.org>"
gpg:                 aka "Erinn Clark <erinn@double-helix.org>"
gpg: WARNING: Using untrusted key!
gpg: binary signature, digest algorithm SHA1

See the part where it says: "Good signature"? That's all you need to know. If it's a bad signature, then either you screwed up the validation procedure or the government/somebody is trying to play tricks. Good to know. Also, if you did it, move the .asc and .exe files back out of the GPG directory into somewhere more appropriate!

Ok, now you are absolutely sure you have (or don't have) the Tor Project software, so that's definitely a step in the right direction.

3. Is it down for just you? Go to one of these hidden services
                                             
http://warweedoeg6lfyoz.onion/updown/

http://zw3crggtadila2sg.onion/downornot/

Copy paste in SR's url etc

These will allow you to figure out if another node on the network can reach SR.

4. Go to the forums. Is everybody bitchin' ? Communicate to the other darknet citizens about life and stuff, maybe they know things that can help you. In particular the otter people and the association of aquatic mammals e.g. your favorite platypus (:

http://genome.wustl.edu/images/uploads/Genomes/PlatypusSm.jpg

What a badass! Anyway...

5. These are SR's backup URLs if SR becomes under attack:

silkroadiplkjo7t.onion

bpbpoqbqdodbqbqb.onion

pddqoboqqqqqbqdq.onion

6. You should obtain as many public keys as possible on this site in case the forums go offline. That way you can communicate via Tormail to most people on here.

7. Obviously there are other schemes for keeping the network together. But if you find yourself at a loose end at every turn, hang around the appropriate places e.g. certain image boards, certain types of websites, and via the grapevine you'll obtain information.
Title: Re: Why can't I get on SR?
Post by: Joeyoneway on September 20, 2012, 04:45 pm
Hey Kitkat the address I have been trying http://silkroadvb5piz3r.onion This is the address I used the 1st time and got right on, but it hasn't worked since?

Thank you Pine for the detailed help, looks complicated but I will try my best! I just don't understand why I would have gotten on just fine the 1st time using this Tor and this address and ever since it is giving me a problem loading page when I am doing the exact same thing that worked the first time? This is the correct address right?
Title: Re: Why can't I get on SR?
Post by: pine on September 20, 2012, 07:44 pm
Hey Kitkat the address I have been trying http://silkroadvb5piz3r.onion This is the address I used the 1st time and got right on, but it hasn't worked since?

Thank you Pine for the detailed help, looks complicated but I will try my best! I just don't understand why I would have gotten on just fine the 1st time using this Tor and this address and ever since it is giving me a problem loading page when I am doing the exact same thing that worked the first time? This is the correct address right?

Your ISP may be using censorship software on its routers, I forget to mention this one. Not for SR, but the entire Tor network. It's a dumbass move, but some corporations and ISPs enjoy playing these little games. They are easily defeated.

Sounds like you need a public tor bridge, and this is how:

= How to obtain a bridge =

1. On clearnet i.e. the regular web, go to https://bridges.torproject.org
You will see a list of dotted quads e.g. 1.2.3.4:443 or 1.2.3.4:9001 and so on. These are IP addresses. The :443 or :9001 bits appended on the ends are called port numbers, and you have absolutely no need to know how it all works! Yay!

Note: if you cannot get to https://bridges.torproject.org, then go to your Gmail or Yahoo mail and send an email with "get bridges" in the body of the email to bridges@torproject.org. Then they will send you an email with some bridges. Alternatively, ask that your pals in a less fucking commie-fascist part of the world send you some bridge IP addresses. If you are living in China, you will need a private obfuproxy bridge, but this is far beyond the scope of this mini tutorial.

Protip: if it does turn out your ISP is blocking Tor, then switch provider. You cannot trust any ISP, but especially not one like that, at that rate they're probably reading your mail and storing it some place so they can fuck you over later as well.

2. If you are using the TBB (Tor Browser Bundle, most people on SR are using it I would imagine), then go to Settings -> Network and tick the box that reads:

"My ISP blocks connections to the Tor network".

3. Now, copy paste the IP addresses you see at https://bridges.torproject.org into the text box that just appeared. One at a time. No need to get greedy, three or so will be fine.

4. Click Ok and go back to your Tor Browser. Try connecting again.



Title: Re: Why can't I get on SR?
Post by: ZenAndTheArt on September 20, 2012, 08:13 pm
Hey Kitkat the address I have been trying http://silkroadvb5piz3r.onion This is the address I used the 1st time and got right on, but it hasn't worked since?

Thank you Pine for the detailed help, looks complicated but I will try my best! I just don't understand why I would have gotten on just fine the 1st time using this Tor and this address and ever since it is giving me a problem loading page when I am doing the exact same thing that worked the first time? This is the correct address right?

Your ISP may be using censorship software on its routers, I forget to mention this one. Not for SR, but the entire Tor network. It's a dumbass move, but some corporations and ISPs enjoy playing these little games. They are easily defeated.

Sounds like you need a public tor bridge, and this is how:

= How to obtain a bridge =

1. On clearnet i.e. the regular web, go to https://bridges.torproject.org
You will see a list of dotted quads e.g. 1.2.3.4:443 or 1.2.3.4:9001 and so on. These are IP addresses. The :443 or :9001 bits appended on the ends are called port numbers, and you have absolutely no need to know how it all works! Yay!

Note: if you cannot get to https://bridges.torproject.org, then go to your Gmail or Yahoo mail and send an email with "get bridges" in the body of the email to bridges@torproject.org. Then they will send you an email with some bridges. Alternatively, ask that your pals in a less fucking commie-fascist part of the world send you some bridge IP addresses. If you are living in China, you will need a private obfuproxy bridge, but this is far beyond the scope of this mini tutorial.

Protip: if it does turn out your ISP is blocking Tor, then switch provider. You cannot trust any ISP, but especially not one like that, at that rate they're probably reading your mail and storing it some place so they can fuck you over later as well.

2. If you are using the TBB (Tor Browser Bundle, most people on SR are using it I would imagine), then go to Settings -> Network and tick the box that reads:

"My ISP blocks connections to the Tor network".

3. Now, copy paste the IP addresses you see at https://bridges.torproject.org into the text box that just appeared. One at a time. No need to get greedy, three or so will be fine.

4. Click Ok and go back to your Tor Browser. Try connecting again.

Hi Pine, your so helpful to this community it's great!
This may be a dumb question but here goes - If the OP's ISP is blocking his connection to the TOR network wouldn't it be imposable for him to be on this forum? This forum is a .onion site, so doesn't that mean it's on the TOR network?
Title: Re: Why can't I get on SR?
Post by: pine on September 20, 2012, 08:39 pm
Hi Pine, your so helpful to this community it's great!
This may be a dumb question but here goes - If the OP's ISP is blocking his connection to the TOR network wouldn't it be imposable for him to be on this forum? This forum is a .onion site, so doesn't that mean it's on the TOR network?

Yup, lol, I had temporarily amnesia that this site is also a hidden service :D   Logic!

Still, this info will be useful for lots of people if they apply it.
Title: Re: Why can't I get on SR?
Post by: BenCousins on September 21, 2012, 10:33 am

And believe me, it would take nothing less than a gun to the head to make the Tor project do this, that's a subject worthy of a entire post really, but I must digress and get back on topic:


why is this? I find it funny that the most legitimate thing the torproject could find to advertise tor was "buying a birthday present"
Title: Re: Why can't I get on SR?
Post by: BenCousins on September 21, 2012, 10:37 am

You can torify GPG easily, but that's a discussion for another day.

 

Please explain oh noble platypus and what obsession is it with the platypus? are you Male or Female?
Title: Re: Why can't I get on SR?
Post by: BenCousins on September 21, 2012, 10:38 am
Hi Pine, your so helpful to this community it's great!
This may be a dumb question but here goes - If the OP's ISP is blocking his connection to the TOR network wouldn't it be imposable for him to be on this forum? This forum is a .onion site, so doesn't that mean it's on the TOR network?

Yup, lol, I had temporarily amnesia that this site is also a hidden service :D   Logic!

Still, this info will be useful for lots of people if they apply it.
couldnt he  be on here via tor2webv or typing .to after the URL on clearweb?
Title: Re: Why can't I get on SR?
Post by: BenCousins on September 21, 2012, 10:44 am
If you are living in China, you will need a private obfuproxy bridge,

If China has managed to defeat Tor minus using obsproxy (Insecure Software ive heard) then why cant every other goverment? If their blocking tor cant they just block www.torporject.org? then their is no way to get Tor or Tor Bridges