Silk Road forums

Discussion => Newbie discussion => Topic started by: stupidhigh on August 08, 2013, 06:37 pm

Title: New Buyer
Post by: stupidhigh on August 08, 2013, 06:37 pm
I am going to make my first purchase soon, i figured out how to get on the site and buy bitcoins, the part i don't understand is related to pgp.

do you need to use pgp, aside from when sending your address?

As a person with 0 transactions, do you have to contract the vendor before making a purchase?
Title: Re: New Buyer
Post by: bengalFire on August 08, 2013, 06:51 pm
You don't NEED to use PGP ever. But it is extremely recommended is messages that can be compromising to your or any other person on this site - e.g. personal info, address, age, gender, whatever
Title: Re: New Buyer
Post by: TheDanks on August 08, 2013, 06:56 pm
what exactly does pgp do @bengalfire
Title: Re: New Buyer
Post by: microbabe on August 08, 2013, 07:04 pm
Hey

PGP encrypts whatever your sending.  Only the vendor (or whoever has the specific PGP key you encrypted with), can decrypt your message. Meaning law enforcement or any other snooper can't view what you seeing.  This is just an extra measure of protection, but I would go as far as to say that PGP is REQUIRED! It is very easy to use, just do a quick google, theres a few good youtube videos.  You can start using it in under 15 mins.  I personally use GPG4win.  It's free and easy man. Trust me, use it.  I can't stress this enough.
Title: Re: New Buyer
Post by: bengalFire on August 08, 2013, 07:08 pm
Yeah. If SR is ever compromised by the law, your messages will still be a much or cryptic nonsense to them (unless the vendor is dumb enough to keep his master key online -- don't worry, most vendors are really smart)
Title: Re: New Buyer
Post by: TheDanks on August 08, 2013, 07:13 pm
ok thanks guys. one more ?  is PGP a paid service? if not I dont see why anyone would bypass it since it seems like a nice security measure
Title: Re: New Buyer
Post by: ic3m4l3 on August 08, 2013, 07:20 pm
paranoia, keeps u on your toes m8 :)
Title: Re: New Buyer
Post by: Chem1st on August 08, 2013, 07:42 pm
PGP is free, get GPG4USB, it works on a usb stick and I find it's the easiest to use
Title: Re: New Buyer
Post by: BikeRide1 on August 08, 2013, 07:57 pm
Quote
unless the vendor is dumb enough to keep his master key online

Or he keeps the decrypted addresses around after shipping. Equally dumb.
Title: Re: New Buyer
Post by: stupidhigh on August 08, 2013, 08:00 pm
Thanks for all the replies.

i downloaded gpg4win.

Still would like to know if i have to do anything extra if it's my first purchase, like send the vendor a message. (i did read the wiki on the buying process, and some vendors profiles)
Title: Re: New Buyer
Post by: 226278 on August 08, 2013, 08:05 pm
Yeah. If SR is ever compromised by the law, your messages will still be a much or cryptic nonsense to them (unless the vendor is dumb enough to keep his master key online -- don't worry, most vendors are really smart)
encrypt  and be secure = use GPG/PGP  you'll be really smart.
Title: Re: New Buyer
Post by: microbabe on August 08, 2013, 08:09 pm
If this is your first purchase, some established vendors may not take you without FE.  PM'ing them would be a good idea before ordering.  Every vendor is different.  I myself am a new vendor (i sell MDMA), so I am pretty lenient on new buyers for now, but I already have had a few potential requests that seem fishy, so I understand why experienced vendors tend to be more strict.

Other than that you should be good! Good luck on your first purchase, and don't forget to leave feedback!
Title: Re: New Buyer
Post by: TheDanks on August 10, 2013, 11:54 pm
how do I get a pgp key? is it free
Title: Re: New Buyer
Post by: bengalFire on August 11, 2013, 12:04 am
how do I get a pgp key? is it free

Read this post :) Have a nice day!

http://dkn255hz262ypmii.onion/index.php?topic=197274.msg1419609#msg1419609