PGP GPG and Claws for Encryption

[Duckfeet]

I just downloaded and installed Claws, mail client. I use linux and windows, and it works on both of them. I wanted to start practicing using a client where I could encrypt email. I'm used to pgp/gpg , but I've always used it just on documents, plain text which i'd then save with an .asc (or pgp) extension.
Just in case the world keeps getting more and more abusive of our privacy, there might come a day when being able to encrypt email among people you know (who have your public keys) might come in handy. pgp is really kind of easy to use and simple in concept...once you get past the initial horror at how complicated it *seems*.

On Silk Road we actually had an email page with everybody--who wanted--posted their public keys and many of us got used to corresponding that way on the pms we'd send each other. Kind of fun, actually, once u get used to it...and nice knowing no one else can decrypt stuff addressed to you...also sellers posted their public keys so those who actually purchased on there could encrypt their addresses.

If anybody else was interested in practicing email encryption, you're welcome to track down my email addy and send me your public key, and I'll send you mine. Me and Prasch had tried it a bit.

First I'd suggest downloading and studying up on pgp: site for windows users, and best open source setup is gnupg is: http://gpg4win.org/ Linux users, you can get it several ways. Claws comes as an option on gpg4win.

Anybody else use other email clients for encryption, or any linux users have messed with claws, I'd be interested in hearing from you...

[Pwhite]

That's pretty cool of you Dfeet. I'll definitely take you up on that offer when I get my linux box back up.

[Prasch]

it's really easy once you spend some time with some of the programs. I haven't used claws yet, but kleopatra was pretty simple. Duckfeet was a big help.

once I get my internet set up at home (tomorrow) I'd be willing to help people out and send things back and forth

[Duckfeet]

That's pretty cool of you Dfeet. I'll definitely take you up on that offer when I get my linux box back up. Sure thing: SR got me started on it, and Prasch kind of got me interested in it again. I just installed Claws, so I'm still fiddling with that. I'm not all that secretive, and doubt anyone cares enough about what I do, to check my email, but I just think it's fun to watch a message disappear and then pop up when it's decoded....probably the 8 year old boy in me ;)

[Snoops]

Hey Duckfeet. Good to see you back around. Not that you know me from Adam, but even back in my lurking days. Before I was afforded the opportunity to register, I would always follow your posts/stories. All of the felonious capers, the times you had to do time, and in general, I have just always enjoyed your knowledge and advice...

Anyhow. I am somewhat computer, and computer program illiterate. And I'm interested in these PGP, GPG and Claws programs that you're describing. And especially how they could be applied to this "Silk Road" I've been hearing so much about... (from what I gather so far, is that it is a type of, for lack of a better word 'grey market' by which you use 'bitcoins' as a form of currency to purchase goods.)

If you don't mind. I wonder if you could explain a bit to me about these PGP, GPG, Claws Programs and how this whole "Silk Road" and "bitcoins" deals work.

I've tried to Google the whole bit... But I think that I just need someone with a bit of knowledge, to explain it to me like I'm a 5yr old kid. Know what I mean?

And hey, if it's just something you don't really wanna explain, or really get into. I totally understand bro.

Take good care bud. Catch ya later on....

[Duckfeet]

Hey Duckfeet. Good to see you back around.
<snip>
If you don't mind. I wonder if you could explain a bit to me about these PGP, GPG, Claws Programs and how this whole "Silk Road" and "bitcoins" deals work.

I've tried to Google the whole bit... But I think that I just need someone with a bit of knowledge, to explain it to me like I'm a 5yr old kid. Know what I mean?

And hey, if it's just something you don't really wanna explain, or really get into. I totally understand bro.

Take good care bud. Catch ya later on.... Thankyou for kind words. I think I feel like grandpa to most of the people on here, and when I don't show up I get to worrying abouit them-- but I also fear I'll be a terrible influence, and lead people into lives of crime, drug addiction and beer drinking in the morning ;)

On Silk Road, I can give you a few pointers, sort of aim you in the right direction. But it is kind of complicated, and I also have to be careful, to protect opy...and me ha ha...

Anyway, I'll just send you down the same roads I went down, to find out about it, and what I needed to get on there,.

First: Check out the main thread here, already started: http://forum.opiophile.org/showthread.php?35088-quot-The-Underground-Website-Where-You-Can-Buy-Any-Drug-Imaginable-quot
and the wiki article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Road_(anonymous_marketplace)

You'll have to get a tor setup: http://www.torproject.org/

Once you get thru all that--like I did--you should be able to figure out how to get to SR: go to the forums, you'll find all the information you could ever want there. tor addresses have 'onion' in them if need to google and search for addresses.

I wouldnt worry too much around pgp until you plowed thru tor, tho you can do it along the way. Let me know what else you need. You sound like you're comfortable with computers. Most of this stuff I did on windows box, then switched over to linux as much of the best apps for this area are open source aimed at linux, but they all had windows versions too, depending on which you prefer.

I'm still learning Claws myself, just downloaded them last night. If you get pgp set up, feel free to dredge up my email addy and we can swap some encrypted email .... Have you got any pgp or gpg set up?

[Larkin]

You are the man duckfeet! I am also glad to see you posting again. You seem to post pure gold IMHO. I am ABSOLUTELY interested in this. Ill definitely check it out.

Also for IM users. I use pidgin with OTR(off the record) plug in. It encrypts messages and bypasses them through the messengers server, so AIM doesnt go through AOL, msn doesnt go through MS, etc..

Its a GREAT plugin. Also for VERY secure chat i use a chat client that has up to 4096 bit encryption and connects directly to the person you want to chat with or someone you know running the server software. I can not for the life of me remember the name of it. I'll find out and post back

[fearofnormalcy]

Okay, I've had Tor up and running for about a month...but anyone want to help a Mac guy get set up for PGP?

Running OSX Snow Leopard, if that helps...

[Duckfeet]

Okay, I've had Tor up and running for about a month...but anyone want to help a Mac guy get set up for PGP?

Running OSX Snow Leopard, if that helps...

I can't help you on mac. I've had a mac, but I'm clueless on setting up pgp on them. I googled around and there seems to be plenty of stuff, probably some download that everybody uses.

My dilemma is somewhat similar, is that my main computer, the one I'm using now and most of the time, is my google chromebook. I was just screwing around a while back, and saw the google was giving out a few netbooks with chrome as their operating system. I filled out their little form, and actually got one of the suckers, and really like it. But chrome is all based on *everything* being done online.

I like for most things, but every once in a while I'll need to try to download or install some app, like pgp for linux, which chrome is based on, but I can't get it done. I'm ok on my linux computer or windows, and for most things this chromebook is pretty cool, and I was tickled to get it...but some things are still in progress. They are making and selling chromebooks now, so I maybe some day....