01. The Foundation: Operating Systems
Your choice of Operating System defines your baseline security. Attempting to access any drughub url from Windows 10/11 is catastrophic. Windows creates thousands of telemetry logs, registry entries, and temporary files that can prove you accessed the Tor network.
Why Tails OS is Mandatory
Tails (The Amnesic Incognito Live System) is the industry standard for darknet market access. It is a hardened Debian-based Linux distribution that runs from a USB drive.
- Amnesia: Tails forgets everything when verified. No logs are written to the hard drive. Even with forensic analysis, there is no proof a drughub shop page was ever opened.
- Network Lock: If Tor fails, Tails blocks all internet connections, preventing accidental IP leaks.
- Built-in Tools: Comes with pre-configured PGP (GnuPG), KeepPassXC, and Monero wallets.
Alternative: Whonix running inside Qubes OS or VirtualBox is acceptable for advanced users who need persistence, but Tails is recommended for most drughub market users.