Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Using Silk Road

gwern.net

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

21–30 of 177 posts

Re: Using Silk Road

#21

Post by handsomeransoms »

Silk Road is very interesting from a design perspective, particularly the way it leverages different open source cryptographic tools to satisfy its complex security/privacy/anonymity requirements.

I gave a talk about this at the Oakland Cryptoparty back in October. The slides are a little patchy and based entirely on perusing the site (read: speculation), but it inspired a lively discussion from amongst all the participants. It seems there's nothing like illegal drugs and the black market to get people interested in learning more about crypto!

I'm planning on giving an updated version of this talk at "SF Cryptoparty II" on March 23rd (attend or sign up to talk! https://cryptopartysf.org/). I will definitely incorporate ideas from (and link back to) this article. Feedback appreciated!

Slides: http://garrett.im/static/pdf/silkroad_oakland_cryptoparty_sl...

Re: Using Silk Road

#22

Post by sruser »

sliverstorm wrote: post #20
sruser wrote: post #17

(throwaway account) I've spent over $50,000 USD on SR in the past year, and I'm happy to answer any questions people have about the site or community.

Presumably you are either a dealer, or you have a gigantic drug habit?

I'd prefer to answer questions about SR, not about myself.

Re: Using Silk Road

#23

Post by pudquick »

cnp wrote: post #10
mrmagooey wrote: post #8

I wonder if the current little spike in the bitcoin price (from https://mtgox.com/ ) could be attributed to this article being posted on HN

The Bitcoin price has been dramatically spiking for the past two weeks. Very curious as to why.

Both Mega and reddit have recetly announced acceptance of bitcoins for payment. Not saying that's the reason, but I'm sure it contributes.

Re: Using Silk Road

#25

Post by rdl »

sruser wrote: post #17

(throwaway account) I've spent over $50,000 USD on SR in the past year, and I'm happy to answer any questions people have about the site or community.

What types of items have you purchased, and what's the loss rate? Does it vary with types of products?

I have an HSA insurance plan where I effectively pay out of pocket, so I'm starting to get more and more tempted to buy non-US drugs for which I have or could get a valid US prescription. Not particularly drugs of abuse, but something like ciprodex (ciproflaxin antibiotic + dexemethasone (steroid) otic (ear drops); $140 in the US and $55 in Canada). Stockpiling some other drugs (tamiflu, etc.) might also be tempting.

The only drugs I see on SR seem to be psychoactive, either research chemicals or boring prescription psychiatric drugs like xanax or adderall.

Re: Using Silk Road

#26

Post by mindcrime »

sruser wrote: post #17

(throwaway account) I've spent over $50,000 USD on SR in the past year, and I'm happy to answer any questions people have about the site or community.

Well, these aren't exactly about the site, but if you'll humor me, a couple of questions jump to mind:

Do you have purchases sent directly to your home/business, or do you attempt to obfuscate the delivery somehow? If so, can you share anything about the tactics you use?

What percentage of your purchases arrive as expected? Do you have any reason to believe that anything is being intercepted by Customs / Border Police / Whatever, or do you only buy from in-country sellers?

Also, have you happened to notice if SR sellers sell things like Clenbuterol, and others that could fall into the "Performance Enhancing Drug" category?

Re: Using Silk Road

#27

Post by scarecrowbob »

sruser wrote: post #17

(throwaway account) I've spent over $50,000 USD on SR in the past year, and I'm happy to answer any questions people have about the site or community.

I've heard about the site and am casually curious, but how does the obvious security hole of eventually having a product sent to a specific real world address work out in practice? What is the genearl method for anonymizing this.... I'm sure it's a pretty basic question, but since you're here and all...

Re: Using Silk Road

#28

Post by throw_away2012 »

jacques_chester wrote: post #7
cnp wrote: post #5

Everyone needs to read the rest of the site. It's one of the most interesting domains I've ever come across. Fascinating guy through and through, and his short stories are excellent.

I had occasion to correspond with Gwern recently. It is always enlightening to talk to somebody who is smarter than I am.

Arrogant much?

Re: Using Silk Road

#29

Post by tekromancr »

vitno wrote: post #6
cnp wrote: post #5

Everyone needs to read the rest of the site. It's one of the most interesting domains I've ever come across. Fascinating guy through and through, and his short stories are excellent.

One of my favorite sites. If you aren't familiar with it already, it will probably lead you to lesswrong.com. Also worth a good amount of time input.

Lesswrong is a weird place. I can read an awesome, insightful article one moment, then something completely bat-shit insane the next.

Re: Using Silk Road

#30

Post by sruser »

rdl wrote: post #25
sruser wrote: post #17

(throwaway account) I've spent over $50,000 USD on SR in the past year, and I'm happy to answer any questions people have about the site or community.

What types of items have you purchased, and what's the loss rate? Does it vary with types of products? I have an HSA insurance plan where I effectively pay out of pocket, so I'm starting to get more and more tempted to buy non-US drugs for which I have or could get a valid US prescription. Not particularly drugs of abuse, but something like ciprodex (ciproflaxin antibiotic + dexemethasone (steroid) otic (ear drops);…

I purchase mostly opiates, though I have occasionally purchased other classes of drugs as well.

I have been scammed a couple of times, but I have never lost a package that was actually sent by the vendor. I have a 100% delivery rate.

Every time I was scammed was the result of finalizing early. This is bypassing the escrow system and giving the vendor the money immediately. Usually new users are asked to do this, and some vendors require it. I've learned my lesson and never FE (finalize early) now.

You can find non psychoactive/psychiatric drugs, it just varies a lot and you need to keep your eyes open. Certainly the market for what you are looking for is smaller, but it is there if you are persistant about it.

Post reply on HN