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Opsec guide for a new Linux User ? : OpSec | Torhoo darknet markets

So i recently discovered that windows is ass and am currently experimenting with Linux mint. Ive done extensive research and it was high time i switch to Linux as it seems 100x more secure than other BS OS. My question to y'all is. For complete op-sec should i switch OS even further or am i able to harden mint to the same level. Full disclosure, all i wanna do is be able to buy my medicine on the web for cheap (fuck big pharma) . Ive looked through this forum extensively as well but there's some pretty advance language used out there. i am relatively new and just wanted to make a post appropriate to my knowledge and skill level.

Appreciate any and all replies

/u/MrBacon420 P 🐖🌿⚗️420🌿🚬 🐷

3 points

3 days ago

I'll take this one.
I'm glad you have seen the light to go to Linux!

First, I would get Whonix for your Linux OS, and not run Tor bare metal on Linux. /d/whonix and the Opsec guides have a lot of information on how to do such. Whonix is a set of virtual machines (Or VM's) for your darknet activities. Highly recommended. Keep it updated just you would your Linux. Make encrypted backups as well.

It's kind of a pain to encrypt an already installed Linux OS, but I would have full disk encryption (LUKS) installed with a password you have never used anywhere else.

/u/Pink_Lantern 📢 🍼

1 points

3 days ago

appreciate the response, yes i did do the full disk encryption on initial install. i like mint cuz of how easy it is but i am open to trying whoniix or cubes as Ive seen that a lot. can i use those other software's on mint via a virtual machine ?

/u/MrBacon420 P 🐖🌿⚗️420🌿🚬 🐷

1 points

3 days ago

Qubes, No. Whonix, Yes.

There's two different methods of using Whonix, either with Virtualbox (easier) or KVM (more open in my opinion, slightly more difficult to setup.)

http://www.dds6qkxpwdeubwucdiaord2xgbbeyds25rbsgr73tbfpqpt4a6vjwsyd.onion/wiki/About (Whonix about)

/u/Ghwbushsr

1 points

3 days ago

honestly I found KVM easier but that's just my 2 cents. it's also smoother than vbox

/u/MrBacon420 P 🐖🌿⚗️420🌿🚬 🐷

1 points

3 days ago

VirtualBox with Whonix did everything with an install script from their site. I personally considered that easier.

Migrating to KVM took a couple of hours. I go over this in /post/c32ab31604fbf1d85eac/#c-13129235cb8cbe6732

KVM is definitely smoother and crashes less.

/u/Ghwbushsr

1 points

3 days ago

whaaa? i had to do commands n shit last time i did vbox. seperate downloads and all that shit

ngl it's been awhile as I can set up kvm in like 30 min

/u/MrBacon420 P 🐖🌿⚗️420🌿🚬 🐷

1 points

3 days ago

After my first time, I probably could too. I paced myself. I like to do things right, not in a hurry.

/u/diaperspray P

2 points

3 days ago

Did you use luks encryption on the Mint install?

/u/Pink_Lantern 📢 🍼

1 points

3 days ago

u mean luks full disk encryption ? yes i did

/u/diaperspray P

2 points

3 days ago

Great first start. Just stick with a Virtual machine app like Virtualbox/KVM along with Whonix gateway/workstation and then learn PGP.

Whonix for the win.

/u/Pink_Lantern 📢 🍼

2 points

2 days ago

Understood, hey thanks a lot for the responses

/u/DonatonCaprion CAᎦᎦᏋIᏁᏋ ᎴᏋᎷON

2 points

3 days ago*

/d/TailsOS for nieche use cases, sush as ordering in from the DN.
/d/QubesOS not ideal for day to day uses if you're a normie, but pretty secure and takes time getting used to, depends on how paranoid you are.

Or you can Use Debian + Whonix VM which is super convenient with Disk encryption :). Check /d/Whonix

I recommend starting with Ubunu, or Mint if you're a beginner.

For maximum security, pick Qubes, for Maximum Privacy out of the box, pick Tails, for a mobile OS, /d/GrapheneOS is the best option.

/u/Pink_Lantern 📢 🍼

1 points

3 days ago

understood, thank you for your response. i plan on switching operating software's eventually but do you think its safe to use those software's on mint via a VM like virtual box ?

/u/MrBacon420 P 🐖🌿⚗️420🌿🚬 🐷

1 points

3 days ago

It depends on your definition of safe.

Are you browsing clearnet porn and other suspicious things without an ad blocker that you could get your Linux infected easier? Possibly.

Are you using this for only DN? KickSecure might be better. There's a guide on morphing KickSecure from Debian. (Mint is a Debian base). https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Debian

/u/Pink_Lantern 📢 🍼

1 points

2 days ago

yes have used clear-net for porn but mainly using the clear-net for attempting to learn Arch Linux on a VM (Virtual box). i do use Librewolf tho and Ive hardened it further making it more secure from ads and cookies. i also have a firewall setup via terminal

/u/DonatonCaprion CAᎦᎦᏋIᏁᏋ ᎴᏋᎷON

1 points

3 days ago

It is safe, you can get Linux in VM just to get used to Linux, generally speaking, you can install whonix in VM on windows, however it's not recommended because windows in general isn't srcure, and collects a bunch of data about your usage habits, it's called telemetry.

/u/Pink_Lantern 📢 🍼

1 points

2 days ago

nah screw windows and mac. The only reason i have windows on my other computer is because its better for online games. Plus its better compartmentalization

/u/DonatonCaprion CAᎦᎦᏋIᏁᏋ ᎴᏋᎷON

1 points

2 days ago

Windows doesn't necessarily have "better" compartmentalization, lol.

/u/Pink_Lantern 📢 🍼

1 points

2 days ago

i just meant to have a windows computer for all the unhidden normal stuff

/u/groof

1 points

3 days ago

Tails runs off of a USB key, you boot into it when you need it. It bypasses your currently installed operating system and runs live right off of the USB key.

If you like the layout of the Cinnamon desktop (if you picked to install the default version of Mint that comes with it) you can run Fedora with the Cinnamon desktop. Fedora has more up to date packages than Mint does and it is just as stable imo. Plus you can do full disk encryption with it as well. And you can also run Whonix with it of course. This would be plenty secure.

/u/Pink_Lantern 📢 🍼

1 points

2 days ago

appreciate the response, i def wanna try other OS, its just such a learning curve. im finally getting used to linux mint but the learning never stops

/u/Demure

1 points

3 days ago

Add Whonix with KVM on it, you won't find it easy but the reason is valid and justified not to go for the easier one which VM

/u/Pink_Lantern 📢 🍼

1 points

2 days ago

understood

/u/boobsfartspoo 🍼

1 points

2 days ago

Harden mint? like encrypt your drive?

/u/Pink_Lantern 📢 🍼

1 points

2 days ago

i just meant making it more sure and on par with something like cubes or whonex

/u/bleak 🍼

1 points

2 days ago

Since you're new to linux and just a small-time buyer, start with TAILS. Because:
1. It's pretty easy to set up, just download the .img (better if you torrent it)
2. Verify the download using their official website
3. Flash it to a pendrive
4. Boot into the pendrive from bios.
5. It runs in 'live mode' which means everything gets wiped out once you shut down. (except persistent storage if you have it set up)
The guide on their website is pretty robust and newbie-friendly.

P.S: I've written a guide for new linux users, on the nihilist blog which hasn't been merged yet. I will update this comment and also probably make a post when it does.
Happy freedom.

/u/Pink_Lantern 📢 🍼

1 points

2 days ago*

thank you for the detailed response really appreciate it. i have experimented with tails. it seems pretty straightforward however private it is. it didn't seem the best for a newbie like me who preferred to keep a catalog of notes such as terminal commands and notes on how to encrypt / PGP. i do however plan on compartmentalizing everything and to keep all the purchases on tails

/u/bleak 🍼

1 points

2 days ago

>to keep a catalog of notes such as terminal commands and notes on how to encrypt / PGP
Enable persistence? I personally wouldn't want any DN notes anywhere near my main system. And yes, compartmentalizing is good.

In fact, QubesOS compartmentalizes literally everything in lots of small VMs called Qubes.
A qube for storing data, which is completely offline with zero access to the internet.
Another qube managing the net and firewalls, and so on.

/u/Pink_Lantern 📢 🍼

1 points

2 days ago

Would you recommend saving my notes on a separate USB because I have ADHD and i have a hard time remembering things until they've been burned into my brain, I do plan on trying cubes. Appreciate ure response

/u/bleak 🍼

1 points

2 days ago*

Absolutely! I also save my (more personal) notes on a separate USB. Make sure you LUKS encrypt it though.

Also about Qubes, if you live in a country where it's suspicious to use tor, you shouldn't be using Qubes either. Just my two cents.

The only good option is to use Whonix with Veracrypt HIdden Volumes. You can basically set two different passwords, one for the hidden partition and one for the decoy.

If you're forced to provide the password, you just give them the decoy one, where you should've put some porn or pirated movies to justify it.
The existence of the hidden volume cannot be proven.
This is called plausible deniability.

/u/Pink_Lantern 📢 🍼

1 points

2 days ago

This is GOLD, thanks dude

/u/bleak 🍼

1 points

2 days ago

Welcome :D

/u/deanonymize 🍼

1 points

2 days ago

Linux Mint is better than Windows, yes. But it's not built for anonymity or high level OpSec. Mint inherits Ubuntu's issues telemetry, insecure extensions, bloated GUI stack, proprietary drivers. That’s not what you want.

If you’re serious, start with Tails or KickSecure/Whonix. For longer term setups or multiple accounts, look into Qubes/Whonix. These are hardened by default and built for anonymity.

Your use case (“buying medicine”) puts you in threat level casual buyer but that can escalate fast. Law enforcement doesn’t care how noble your reasons are.

If you insist on Mint:

Remove all Ubuntu snaps and telemetry

Use full disk encryption

Use Tor Browser only (not Firefox with plugins)

Block all non-Tor traffic with a firewall

Disable all unused hardware: webcam, mic, WiFi chip if possible

Never mix darknet activity with clearnet identity or apps

But even then, Mint is not recommended for darknet use. You’re trusting too much code and too many unknowns.

TL;DR: Use Tails for buys, KickSecure or Qubes/Whonix for anything persistent. Read the DNM Bible:
/d/OpSec/wiki?id=ea7f4385

Stay safe.

/u/Pink_Lantern 📢 🍼

1 points

2 days ago

Going to save this comment, Thank you sm