Is tails OS NECESSARY?

I've read through the Darknet for noobs thread a couple times, and I haven't seen much on if it is absolutely a need, or if it's a safe guideline. If anyone has the thread or anything where the info is located, you can kindly just leave the thread and It'd be much appreciated. But I just want to know if it's a need? I want to make a small order to my house from the DNM but I haven't had the chance to get the usb sticks that I need to intall tails on, it won't be a continual thing, I just need a little order for right now, and I'll be getting tails shortly after, is it safe to make a one time order without tails? Or should I just cut my losses and wait. Thank you for any feedback, it always helps :)


Comments


[9 Points] Pingu4545:

No it's not safe, you're never safe. You could technically just order from TOR on your Windows PC, but I'd strongly advise you to get some cheap USB sticks from the store down the road and install tails. Better OPSEC can't hurt you. Don't be foolish or lazy.


[10 Points] Babilisss:

Network Security, Internet anonymity, anything related to technology is not an exact science.

That is to say you can never be 100% secure. There are always 0 day exploits, software bugs, and people that really want to know what you are up to. You will never be able to protect yourself completley against LE, Hackers etc. etc.

So what you have to learn is to balance your risk with the effort you take to protect yourself.. Think of it on a sliding scale..

Here is the technical awarness level you should have on a sliding scale. From most paranoid to least paranoid depending on what you are doing...

  1. You are stealing government secrets.. For this you should use a laptop with a removable hard drive. Using a prepay sim and cheap 3g router both paid for in cash. You should be at a remote location without cameras, and once finished you should securley remove the laptops hard drive, wifi chip, memory and destroy the sim and 3g router in such a way that it will never be found.

  2. You are a large Vendor on the D.W... Here you should ideally be using a tor router behind your home internet connection. You should be using Qubes with Whonix on an encrypted partition. Or preferably a laptop with no hard drive and a removable tails key that you keep on you at all times. You don't need to be connecting from a remote location as if you use the correct setup it is not necessary. When you are working on tails or Whonix there should be no other devices connected through the tor router. Always work with scripts disabled on the tor browser and always be wary of your surroundings to pull the key if something feels off.

  3. You are a large purchacer on the DW,, Here you should be working on a laptop either with Wonix on Qubes on an encrypted partition or a tails key. Be mindful of whats going on around you to be ready to pull the key if things get wierd.

  4. You are a casual purchacer.. If you are more mindful of your safety use a tails key as above, If you are less mindful use tor browser on linux and make sure scripts are disabled.

  5. You like to casually browse the DW.. Do what you want, you are doing nothing illegal.

As you can see, its a lot more hasstle, investment, time and effort to implement 1. V.S 4. But you are far less likley to have consequenses to your actions with properly implemented opsec on level 1. to level 5.

Think about what you are doing, and think about what actions merit the risk that you are taking. And as always think about how much you value your freedom.


[4 Points] ThePrinceOfFrance:

Install tails and try to go to mcdonalds and other public places with free wifi when you get on the markets as often as possible. Always remember to disable javascript and never enable javascript when your logged in to a market. Always encrypt you communications with vendors and use strong passwords. pick 4 or 5 random words for a strong password instead of a string of random characters

buttfuckshtidickblowholeastronaut, for instance.


[3 Points] None:

It all comes down to;

  1. If LE are running the market
  2. If you package is seized.

If LE are running the market, and they have a Windows exploit, they could find out who you are, and where you live.

If a package is seized, and you have lots and lots of Windows logs showing your use of Tor, PGP + other metdata suggesting you've been on DNM's you're fucked if they take your PC.

Tails limits the attack surface and can be hidden on a usb (whilst leaving your main OS intact).

It's up to you how much you value your freedom. Are you a personal user? Are LE known to kick down doors for personal amounts in your area?


[3 Points] throwzawayy:

No, but neither are condoms, and I bet you still wear those.


[2 Points] disc0_AlphaBay:

ArloTheGuy: Trappy used Windows. Raspi, BigMuscles and I used Tails. /s

-disc0


[1 Points] infectedLysergic:

I made my first order without tails. dumb i know but it was for like 10 hits of acid. no LE yet


[1 Points] CookiesSF:

If you are a buyer a non-logging VPN will suffice.


[1 Points] jaypay23:

I use windows and have tor on a flash drive and always use a local hotspot and never had one issue. Don't listen to these guys tails or any os the feds will get you if they really want you just use common sense and never get caught with drugs in possession.


[1 Points] hiyneron:

Well, there is a way, take one of your friends laptop for a day or two, go at a library and use their WiFi, order the stuff you need, then delete everything you installed.

Nah, don't do that, use Tails.


[1 Points] throwahooawayyfoe:

Is a seatbelt necessary? No, but if shit hits the fan, you're gonna wish to god you had used it.


[1 Points] Vendor-Bubblehash:

It's a fun OS to use. It has everything you need :the tor browser, PGP software and a bitcoin wallet. It has keypass so you can store pw and logins. Tails is a great way to compartentalize your DNM activity. It keeps all that activity off your IRL computer. That way your're not logging into reddit with your IRL reddit accidently and doxing yourself when you post on r/darknetmarkets


[0 Points] ImissBMRandAgora:

Better safe than sorry.

How much do you value your butthole?


[-1 Points] jaypay23:

And if you you use tails it shows you are hiding something.