Silk Road forums

Discussion => Security => Topic started by: OnePotMama on November 16, 2012, 09:26 pm

Title: Bitcoin Blues
Post by: OnePotMama on November 16, 2012, 09:26 pm
How can I clean up my messy bitcoins without having to sign up for a bunch of different things? First, there were the three overzealous Moneygram workers who ID'd me and wanted ALL of my information to complete the transaction. I finally just purchased some with a toss-away debit card and was told by my roommate to use bitinstant and then wash them through instawallet a few times before sending them to SR. But now a few threads are saying these sites are not undependable and working with LEOs. I'm only looking to buy personal use amounts of green and plan on using the escrow and PGP keys. Is that all enough security? Or do my bitcoins need further washing?

*sigh*

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Bitcoin Blues
Post by: wsg on November 16, 2012, 09:43 pm
If you have not read enough to realize this question is location specific I recommend that you read some of the stickies in the security sub forum then ask more specific questions related to your location
Title: Re: Bitcoin Blues
Post by: Nakorx on November 19, 2012, 03:02 am
Some people seem to think LE is behind everything, paranoia runs deep. I don't believe wallets are the watched by LEO, it would be impossible. And why bother, the bitcoin transaction are all in the public domain in the form of the blockchain info. It is linking an individual to a specific transaction that is the thing that would have to be proved, and that is one reason why bitcoins are used to defeat LE. However some people like to tumble or wash their coins for extra anonymity using a site like:
http://fogcore5n3ov3tui.onion

Title: Re: Bitcoin Blues
Post by: elivance on November 19, 2012, 03:18 am
Some people seem to think LE is behind everything, paranoia runs deep. I don't believe wallets are the watched by LEO, it would be impossible. And why bother, the bitcoin transaction are all in the public domain in the form of the blockchain info. It is linking an individual to a specific transaction that is the thing that would have to be proved, and that is one reason why bitcoins are used to defeat LE. However some people like to tumble or wash their coins for extra anonymity using a site like:
http://fogcore5n3ov3tui.onion

Be careful with that Bitcoin Fog service.  It is a Tor anonymous service and they can run with your money at any time.  (In fact, read the link on bitcointalk and you can see there are some serious unanswered questions.  TORWallet, a very similar service, ended up scamming its customers.)

blockchain.info has a good coin mixer and appears pretty reputable.  (Of course they also can run away with your money at any time.)  If you feel that mixing is necessary, go ahead and put your coins through there.  (Like anything here, just don't send more than you can afford to lose.)
Title: Re: Bitcoin Blues
Post by: OnePotMama on November 20, 2012, 07:13 pm
Thanks for the good advice! I had talked to other people who confirmed to just tumble them through a couple things, and the amount I had this time around was small so its not like I'm raising any red flags and I'm willing to part with it if something happens.
Title: Re: Bitcoin Blues
Post by: phubaiblues on November 20, 2012, 08:12 pm
I figure use Tails and instawallet once or twice, but I kind of agree with previous poster as paranoia seems to have more to do with it than anything else....nobody is sure, we just don't know, since we don't have a lot of prior experience...we just sort of bounce around and try different things and come to our own conclusions on just what--and how much--we need to worry about this stuff.  If you think LE is really all that interested in individuals than yeah, I'd be washing btc and looking for fake i.d. and all kinds of stuff, if you don't then it's less hassle...but I always suggest to new people that they take a few hours and start in the beginning of the Secuirty forums thread and just skim thru the whole thing, as it covers everything in this area from all the different viewpoints...best wishes, I know what a hassle it can be trying to sort all this out, and unfortunately, we don't all agree on the answers to any of these questions....
Title: Re: Bitcoin Blues
Post by: OnePotMama on November 20, 2012, 11:10 pm
best wishes, I know what a hassle it can be trying to sort all this out, and unfortunately, we don't all agree on the answers to any of these questions....

Best words I've read when trying to get advice about this stuff.  I think that's why a lot of people keep asking questions that have been "answered" before. Its because the answers are always different depending on who you ask. Honestly, the best threads I've read are the ones about avoiding controlled deliveries and what to do if the cops are at your door. Even if you screw up multiple times along the way, knowing how to deal with the end is what will make or break you.