Silk Road forums

Discussion => Security => Topic started by: Gabrielle on April 24, 2012, 03:27 am

Title: Buying a new computer to solely run TOR/SR, etc, is it worth it?
Post by: Gabrielle on April 24, 2012, 03:27 am
Since downloading TOR and joining SR, I've become increasingly aware that the security measures I was (or wasn't) taking were woefully inadequate. At the moment I have a vague plan to (among other things) buy a separate computer solely for the purpose of TOR/SR and other related things. Is it worth it? And if so, would anyone be able to recommend what type of computer would be suitable? I was thinking a netbook or something similar.
Title: Re: Buying a new computer to solely run TOR/SR, etc, is it worth it?
Post by: OpticalInfinity on April 24, 2012, 03:34 am
Just run Windows or Linux on a virtual machine and store it on a cheapo flash drive.

...like the rest of us do.
Title: Re: Buying a new computer to solely run TOR/SR, etc, is it worth it?
Post by: Gabrielle on April 24, 2012, 03:40 am
Just run Windows or Linux on a virtual machine and store it on a cheapo flash drive.

...like the rest of us do.

Thanks! I only have a vague idea what that means, but I'm sure that I'll be able to figure it out.
Title: Re: Buying a new computer to solely run TOR/SR, etc, is it worth it?
Post by: Jaurk on April 24, 2012, 03:48 am
It'll take you a while to figure out, but it's actually very simple.
I know you can buy pre-made USBs/CDs here that have already been set-up, but honestly that's such a waste of money, you can literally make your own in less than an hour.

If you were to buy one, you just turn on your PC, as it starts up (the first white text area you see) press ummm (It's like, F2 or F8 or F12.. I forget, I haven't done it in about a year) it's different for each PC.
And you set it to boot from either the USB/CD/HDD depending if you have a bootable USB/CD (HDD is normal boot).
Some PC's don't have a USB boot option, so you'll have to make a bootable CD.

And say you had a bootable CD, you set the PC to boot from CD, so it'll start up an operating system from the CD, this means the hard drive isn't used and no data is stored.

Making the USB/CD might take a bit of reading, but it's very easy really.
I think making a bootable USB is easier, as you just download a program or 2, format the USB to a certain "type" of USB that can be booted off of, and then move all of the operating system over.

Operating systems are the programs which run all of the other programs, like windows.
Windows is just a program which can run other programs, like TOR and firefox.

There's different types of O.S (operating systems) like Linux, which can be very confusing on the first try.
Though once you get the hang of it it's so easy.

Holy moley stimulants, I'm out of here.

edit: oh yeah, to answer your question it's not worth buying a new pc.
Unless your current PC is a shithole, you'll probably notice your PC will run MUCH faster when it's booted from a USB as no other programs are running. Though this also depends on a lot of other factors.
Setting up your internet might be a bit tricky, as I remember it was for me.

Wow I'm just confusing myself, maybe this post might be the slightest bit helpful...

Title: Re: Buying a new computer to solely run TOR/SR, etc, is it worth it?
Post by: OpticalInfinity on April 24, 2012, 03:51 am
Oracle has a very awesome, very free program called VirtualBox. That, a USB flash drive, and an ISO of the OS you want to run-- you're in business. And then you can smash it when you're on meth and think the cops are outside. Buy a bunch of them, they're like $10 a pop, and don't worry about losing them.. especially if you need to flush the damned thing in a fucking hurry.
Title: Re: Buying a new computer to solely run TOR/SR, etc, is it worth it?
Post by: budpuck3t on April 24, 2012, 04:24 am
hey im new too still figuring everything out.   but basically you can run a linux distro off of a portable USB stick or even micro SD, with the right security measures you can use it on your everyday computer without leaving  a trace. it will be easier to conceal/flush/destroy if raided

two of the commonly used stealth linux distros here are liberte and tails, just google a tutorial on how to install it to a bootable usb, it's fairly simple
Title: Re: Buying a new computer to solely run TOR/SR, etc, is it worth it?
Post by: Euphoric Status on April 24, 2012, 04:04 pm
Oracle has a very awesome, very free program called VirtualBox. That, a USB flash drive, and an ISO of the OS you want to run-- you're in business. And then you can smash it when you're on meth and think the cops are outside. Buy a bunch of them, they're like $10 a pop, and don't worry about losing them.. especially if you need to flush the damned thing in a fucking hurry.

That would suck though if you had all of your passwords and shit on that USB. What would you do then?