Darknet marketplace usage guide |
 |
This guide is provided for informational and educational purposes only. We do not encourage you to break the law and are not responsible for your actions. |
This is a basic darknet marketplace usage tutorial for browsing and purchasing legal items on the darknet. While this tutorial does make considerations and recommendations for your safety and security, that is not its main focus. This is not a guide for those in need of a high level of security.
Contents
Tutorial
Step 1. Download the Tor Browser 
Using a Windows or Mac operating system to access the darknet may compromise your privacy and security. It is recommended, but not required, to use a Linux system such as Ubuntu or TAILS (The Amnesic Incognito Live System).
The deep web, including its various darknet markets, cannot be accessed using the standard internet protocol. The Tor Anonymous Network requires a special software package called the Tor Browser in order to access its hidden content. The Tor Browser is available for free on Linux, Mac and Windows operating systems here. TAILS, the anonymous live operating system, comes pre-installed with the Tor Browser.
1. Choose your current operating system. Download the 32 or 64-bit Tor browser, depending on your personal computer's specifications.
2. Extract the downloaded file using Archive Manager or another extracting program.
3. Extract the files from the archive.
4. Click on the recently extracted file to open it. When the pop-up window shows up, click "run."
Step 2. Browsing the darknet marketplace
Market example: Agora
 For the purpose of the tutorial, I will be using Agora.
|
Main article: Comparison of darknet markets
 Once you have downloaded the Tor browser, go through the installation process and access the marketplaces via the links below: >> Click here to view a more updated list on /r/darknetmarkets <<
|
Step 3. Buying bitcoin 
It is highly recommended to use caution when using an unknown exchange website as it is easy to get scammed. The search function on /r/bitcoin should be utilized in order to check user feedback before investing money.
To make a purchase on the darknet, you must exchange your local currency for bitcoin using an exchange website.
While there are dozens of websites that allow for this exchange, for the purposes of this tutorial, I will be explaining how to use both Coinbase and LocalBitcoin.
Coinbase uses your bank details and credit card information while LocalBitcoins uses cash, online bank transfers, and many other payment methods. Another exchange that is commonly used is Circle.
Option 1. Coinbase
 Coinbase is a bitcoin wallet and exchange service used in the United States and eighteen European countries (Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, and Poland) for a fee of about 1% of the value of the transaction. To use the buy/sell service, customers have to provide photo identification and bank details, setup two-factor authentication on a mobile phone, and wait seven days.
|
Option 2. Local Bitcoins
 On this bitcoin exchange, users post advertisements on the website where they state exchange rate and payment methods for buying or selling bitcoins. Other users reply to these advertisements and agree to meet the person to buy bitcoins with cash or pay with online banking. LocalBitcoins offers a reputation and feedback mechanism for its users and an escrow and conflict-resolution service.
|
Step 4. PGP encryption (recommended) 
Although it is strongly discouraged and will leave your identify and address insecure, this step isn't always necessary.
PGP allows you to transmit your personal information and address securely using a system of symmetric-key encryption. While this isn't always necessary, many vendors require it in order to purchase a product. There is open source software available for Windows, Linux, and Mac. There is also a JavaScript web applet available here. To create a public key for usage in two-factor authentication (which is necessary for Grams Helix tumbler service and some marketplaces to add an extra layer of security), you must generate a public key for yourself using PGP.
Below are instructions how to create your personal key pair as well as encrypt and decrypt text. Different graphical user interfaces of GnuPG program are explained.
Option 1: Gnu Privacy Assistant
  Installation: The Gnu Privacy Assitant (GPA) can be compiled under every Unix-like operating system and Windows as well. It may be available in the repositories of your Linux distribution.
|
Option 2: GPG4USB
Installation: GPG4USB is a portable GnuPG program. Executable starters for Linux and Windows are included. A decent guide for GPG4USB can be found at DeepDotWeb. Option 3: Gpg4win
Installation: Gpg4win is the windows version of the Gnu Privacy Assistant. It can be installed with the setup files available at the Gpg4win website. Option 4: GPGTools
 Installation: GPGTools can be downloaded here. Option 5: JavaScript web applet
|
Step 5. Transferring bitcoin 
In order to make a purchase, you must transfer your bitcoins from your Coinbase or LocalBitcoin wallet into the marketplace's wallet. This can be done using both of your 26-35 character bitcoin addresses via the "send bitcoins" link. It may take several hours. For extra security purposes, it is recommended that you use a separate service to tumble your bitcoins such as Helix, as this will make your personal details untraceable. However, this is not required.
Grams by Helix
1. Go to gramsflow.com (or its .onion equivalent if that is down) in the Tor browser to be redirected to Grams. Go to the login page and select the registration link.
2. Copy your public PGP address
3. Enter the PGP address along with other information.
4. Once completed, you'll be given an address to send a small amount of BTC (0.01) as confirmation. Once the small amount is confirmed, it will be credited back to your account.
5. Be patient while the blockchain confirms the deposit.
7. Once the deposit is confirmed, you will be asked to decrypt a PGP message with your PGP key, paste the message in GPA clipboard and select the decrypt option.
8. Once entered, you will be brought to the Grams main dashboard, here you can see a deposit address if your original deposit received 2 confirmations; otherwise you can check until its confirmed. Once confirmed, you will be given a deposit address.
9. Go to your BTC wallet and deposit your desired amount to the provided address.
10. After a few minutes the transaction should appear on the blockchain.
11. Once it receives 2 confirmations it will be available for withdrawal.
12. Go to Helix withdrawal and enter the address you want to send to and the amount.
13. If sending to a one-use BTC wallet such as Evolution marketplace, make sure to select the only one transaction option. Once sent, Helix will tumble the BTC in a manner that obfuscates the origin of the transactions.
Step 6. Buying products 
Market example: Agora
If possible, avoid buying from vendors who require you to finalize early (FE) as it is easy to get scammed when going outside the escrow system.
1. Browse or search for items via the navigation menu on the left side of the screen.
2. While browsing, you may choose from several sorting options. It is recommended to keep the "No-FE first" box marked. If a vendor requires FE, the order will not secured under the marketplace's escrow system.
3. After clicking on an item you are interested in, you should read the vendor's profile page and feedback. Do not buy from vendors with bad reputation and feedback.
4. While on the vendors page, copy the provided PGP address.
5. Save the address in a .txt file using a program such as notepad or mousepad.
6. Open your PGP client and go to "Keys." Select "Import Keys."
7. Import the saved .txt file you saved of the PGP key.
8. Once imported, go to "Windows" and select "Clipboard."
9. Go to "File" and select "Encrypt." Then select the vendor's key.
10. Once you've selected your product, click "buy" under the item listing to view the full price including shipping.
11. Paste in the encrypted address and press the "Preview" button to continue.
12. Enter your pin number and press "Confirm" to place the order.
Step 7. Finalizing 
Market example: Agora
Finalizing your order in the escrow system allows the vendor to get paid for their service. If you have an issue with your order, ask for a time extension or have it resolved by the vendor or Agora staff as soon as possible.
1. Log back into Agora once you have received your order in the mail.
2. Click on the "orders" link at the top of the page.
3. You will see a list of orders. Click on the "Details..." link next to your order on the right hand side.
4. Note: If you do not finalize your order, message the vendor for an extension in time, or begin the resolving process on Agora (in cases of non-delivery), your order will automatically finalize in 13 days and will no longer be covered by escrow.
5. Scroll down to the bottom of your order and click on the red "FINALIZE" button to confirm that you have received the order.
6. Confirm that you would like the money sent from escrow to the vendor.
7. Rate and give the vendor feedback for their service.
