_Index on Opaque Link

Black Market Logistics, HCPP20 talk

Sun, 06 Dec 2020 10:10:11 +0000

My HCPP20 talk is online: Black Market Logistics

Digital Totality: HCPP 20 Manifesto

Sat, 05 Dec 2020 10:10:11 +0000

I’ve been honored to be asked to write the manifesto for the 2020 HCPP conference, here it is for posterity… The tension between the old and known, and the new and unknown increases. The third revolution of production is unleashing its power into an unstable and unsettled world. Metaphors, narratives, concepts, and explanations change – and fail to grasp what is ahead of us. Information is power, and software – its embodiment – eats the world.

The Vision of Cryptoanarchy

Sat, 14 Nov 2020 03:34:52 +0000

Video recording together with Frank Braun The Future is shaped by our art, ideas, entrepreneurship and engineering. We entered the Age of Cyberpunk Life imitates art by inspiring our ideas, values and visions. We are shaped through the narratives that flow through society, and reflect that in our entrepreneurial choices and the technologies we invent and engineer. But art also reflects on our lives and extrapolates the consequences of our choices.

Codechain bootstrap statement

Sun, 22 Dec 2019 00:43:00 +0000

Codechain bootstrap statement -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 { "cctreehash.go": "6a911b51cc047eea7d7b10c75cf1f50a98dea2a39e12ef3414d2f00f31a263f9", "codechain-bootstrap": "7552080c78c26b8a2699c0ac4398028b907b673958f8ba26e01da2ac499b1acb" } -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- iHoEARECADoWIQTUM0XJETAnYooXcmXrdWOCnLf8QgUCXf67uxwcc211Z2dsZXJA c3RhZmYuYW5hcnBsZXgubmV0AAoJEOt1Y4Kct/xCjmkAnRX0YdF/C7Y53rzZHHpm T9iMpmX8AJ4pC5/Ldc5LxKPDfqYlgnuF0aPdJA== =VhCt -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- Download statement See Bootstrapping Codechain.

Container TAZ

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 14:16:23 +0000

Container TAZ A talk given with Frank Braun at Paralelna Polis Bratislava. About conflicts, maneuvering, temporary autonomous zones and using shipping containers to implement them. Slides Youtube recording

External Links

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 00:00:45 +0000

A collection on outside sources, which is very incomplete… Undated Reality Exploit Roundtable 2012 Anarchast Ep. 50 with Smuggler of The Second Realm 2016 Down the Deep Dark Web Documentary 2017 The Crypto Anarchist View: Smuggler and Frank Braun on Privacy and Importance of Decentralization Interview with Smuggler (Privacy Advocate) with Tone Vays & Thomas Hunt 2018 Farewell, Forced Decryption: A Dive into Cypherlock BalCCon2k18 - Smuggler - Cypherlock Secrets and Time Project of CryptoAnarchy at HCPP18 Interview with The Real Smuggler, Privacy Advocate 2019 Dropgangs and Dead Drops: Report Highlights Evolving Darknet Market Opsec Why cryptoanarchy is not a revolutionary movement Smuggler - THE FORGOTTEN ART OF ANONYMOUS DIGITAL CASH: OPTING-OUT OF COMPLEXITY Vonu Podcast: The Crypto-Anarchist Life Vonu POdcast: The Fog of Cryptowar Bitcoin & Co Podcast: A Cryptoanarchists View on Bitcoin, Democracy, Dark Nets and Privacy ForkLog: If You Have Nothing to Hide, Then You’re Really a Boring Person Cypherpunk Bitstream New Cypherpunk Podcast Debuts Discussing Cryptoanarchy Iran, Hong Kong, India: Failed Protests Point to Need for Crypto-Anarchy ‘Second Realms’ Container TAZs, at Paralelna Polis Bratislava 2020 Coin Perspective #4 — Smuggler „Der Staat ist die gefährlichste Technologie“, sagt der Kryptoanarchist Smuggler The Vision of Cryptoanarchy Cypherpunk, Crypto Anarchy and How Bitcoin Lost the Narrative HCPP20 talk: Black Market Logistics

Contact

Thu, 28 Nov 2019 00:00:45 +0000

Like my work? Send some Bitcoin web: opaque.link, adkfchmoiy6uz66s.onion keybase: smuggler twitter: @TheRealSmuggler email: smuggler (at) staff.anarplex.net PGP: D43345C9113027628A177265EB7563829CB7FC42

Cyberstates. Talk at taz0

Sat, 23 Nov 2019 16:19:16 +0000

On Nov 23 2019 I gave a talk on how digital technology may influence how states operate, and how we view them. The slides are now available for download.

Future Security ToDo

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 17:17:17 +0000

We’re living in a present that makes surveillance, coercion and manipulation look like integral parts of our future. Extrapolating the evolution and growth of current technologies of control can lead to a bleak outlook. This doesn’t have to be so… Security & Safety are fundamentals for human existence and they often form the backdrop on which politics rests. We want to be safe from starvation and natural disaster, and we want to be secure against humans that aim to undermine our safety and physical well-being.

Scrit: The Vision For a Federated Chaumian Digital Cash

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 14:16:23 +0000

Vision Two things are fundamental in the 21st century, as they have been before: communication and commerce. Today, they are more intertwined than ever. We do most of our commerce on the internet or by using our smartphones. Physical cash is on the way out as you can see in China, replaced by means of payment that are more compatible with the digital age. However most of these systems are a privacy nightmare.

'Find My Ex' - A guess on Apple's FindMy cryptography

Sun, 09 Jun 2019 01:54:00 +0000

“Find My Ex” - A guess on Apple’s FindMy cryptography A couple of days ago Apple has announced a new service, the “Find My” feature that allows owners of at least two Apple devices to locate a lost device. The description of the service is rather shallow, but essentially Apple is going to enlist all Apple devices to relay location information about devices they sense nearby to Apple, and then to allow the owner to query that database for the location of a lost device.

OPSec Guide

Sat, 23 Mar 2019 22:55:33 +0000

Operational Security is a complex topic. A few years ago I did a seminar on the subject for a humanitarian organization that operated in a hostile environment. The NDA for the coursework has expired and I’m free to publish it. I hope it inspires and helps others that have to do their jobs under the eyes of hostile actors. Download it here (PDF)!

Why cryptoanarchy is not a revolutionary movement

Sat, 09 Feb 2019 19:18:17 +0000

This article as PDF. This interview originally appeared at fragment-x6.net. Tatjana Adamov: The darknet has been one the most fascinating topics for me, ever since it started to shape my life years ago. These days it seems that it is becoming a buzz word, along with the word cryptoanarchy. For this reason I thought it would be interesting to sit down with two known thinkers, but more important doers, from the “scene” and discuss these topics with them.

Dropgangs, or the future of darknet markets

Wed, 26 Dec 2018 19:18:17 +0000

This article as PDF. Dropgangs, or the future of dark markets The Internet is full of commercial activity and it should come at no surprise that even illegal commercial activity is widespread as well. In this article we would like to describe the current developments - from where we came, where we are now, and where it might be going - when it comes to technologies used for digital black market activity.

Digital Money and DBCs

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 19:20:33 +0000

This article as PDF. It’s been more than a decade since I got involved in the design and development of digital payment systems. My focus has always been primarily that of a cryptoanarchist - privacy and functionality first, regulatory compliance second. Since I got involved in this field, a major innovation took place: Blockchain cryptocurrencies. This innovation injected hundreds of thousands of new people into the realm of cypherpunk ideas and online “less regulated” commerce.

The Project of Cryptoanarchy

Mon, 05 Nov 2018 21:00:00 +0000

The Project of Cryptoanarchy My talk at HCPP18 this year was about the core ideas of Cryptoanarchy - what it is, and what it isn’t. My slides are available here, and there’s a recording on Youtube.

Projects

Mon, 05 Nov 2018 00:00:45 +0000

For more than two decades I’ve been involved in cryptoanarchist activities - writing code, operating infrastructure. Small selection of public projects: Cypherpunk Bitstream, a podcast about all things cryptoanarchy https://taz0.org/bitstream/ Scrit. An anonymous high-speed distributed payment system https://github.com/scritcash Anarplex infrastructure, IRC server and writings https://anarplex.sirion.io Assured Release, Journalist protection https://assuredrelease.org Repbin replicated pastebin, and so much more… https://github.com/repbin/repbin Mute secure messenger http://mute.berlin/ https://github.com/mutecomm/mute Some minor stuff: Shamir On Salt, secret sharing tool

Cypherlock - How long until your keys expire?

Thu, 01 Nov 2018 20:42:00 +0000

Cypherlock - How much torture can you endure until your keys expire? At BalckCon2k18 I gave a talk about timed remote oracles to protected data while traveling. The talk is available on Youtube Slides available here: Cypherlock Slides. Code available here: Local tarfile and on github. Cypherlock is a prototype implementation for a new project I’m involved in: Assured Release

Fog of CryptoWar

Thu, 19 Oct 2017 14:26:21 +0000

The Fog of Cryptowar - Why it’s not about crypto regulation. Over the last two years, politicians in the USA, UK and elsewhere have been threatening the regulation of strong cryptography. But the experts and journalists who have expressed concern over this have done so in ways that we consider misleading. In this document we will recap the motives and strategies of the people who wish to regulate cryptography, the responses by its defenders and the battle over public opinion.

Aristocracy of Action

Fri, 15 Nov 2013 00:45:54 +0000

Our situation It’s now been several decades since the idea of cyber-libertarianism and cryptoanarchy first entered the minds of more than a few people. Today, we see almost nothing. There are a dozen reasons for it, and they do not include that the vision was unsound or undoable. The main reason, as I see it, lies in the nature of today’s man and the size of the project ahead. There are a few very active players in the cryptoanarchic and agoristic scene.

The Treasure That Is Privacy

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:42:53 +0000

Abstract: The Philosophy of Privacy Extremism emphasizes that privacy should be maintained in all situations; that if in question, privacy should be given preference, unless sufficient arguments to the contrary apply to the specific situation. Privacy serves as a necessary condition for engaging in meaningful and truthful interpersonal relationships. Furthermore privacy is a necessary condition under which a person can develop a self and embrace individual responsibility for decisions and actions that result from them.

Lessons learned. Anonymity - Online and Offline – Part IV

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 16:38:06 +0000

Several conclusion can be drawn and turned into lessons on how to protect anonymity more effectively. This we are going to explore in this part of the series.

No place to hide. Anonymity - Online and Offline - Part III

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 16:38:06 +0000

In this article we are going to explore how anonymity in the physical world is eroded through technologies and conventions that have been introduced over the last 30 years. Most people assume that their physical behavior is mostly disconnected from the world of bits and bytes, databases and surveillance. Sadly, this increasingly proves to be an illusion.

Anonymity – Online and Offline – Part II

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 16:38:06 +0000

This article explores how much anonymity really exists online, and how anonymity is reduced by everyday technologies used in Internet communication.

Many people expect their actions online to be far removed from their physical identity which often leads them to behave in ways they would never dare when their name were connected to it. But how well founded is this belief in online anonymity?

Anonymity - Online and Offline - Part I

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:38:06 +0000

This series explains the theory of Anonymity and what factors influence anonymity in online communication and offline interaction. The goal is to provide necessary background information to make educated judgements on the effectiveness of methods to increase anonymity.

Let us start out with a definition of the term and then explore its implications:

Anonymity is the degree of uncertainty in relating a person to an event, action or property.

Privacy Extremism

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 22:49:30 +0000

The Philosophy of Privacy Extremism emphasizes that privacy should be maintained in all situations; that if in question, privacy should be given preference, unless sufficient arguments to the contrary apply to the specific context. Privacy is a necessary condition under which a person can develop his self and embrace individual responsibility for decisions and actions – it is the prerequisite for individual liberty. As such it is not granted but must be taken and protected vigilantly.

The Two Realms

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:07:33 +0000

Introduction When thinking about the future of human society and the conflict between strong states and strong individuals the possible outcomes we think about tend to be extremes. Either the states rule completely, or the individual does. This article presents a third option - “The Two Realms”. One for the state, the other for the individual. The Stage At opposite ends of the spectrum we have the strong state and the strong individual.

Rulescape: Dynamic Peaceful Order in Societies

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 02:13:15 +0000

We are currently witnessing fundamental changes in human society. Common shared values are lost, general ideologies disappear, technical progress accelerates. And at the same time the systemic inter-dependencies increase, global connections grow and the amplification of power and error roar. Change in general has become a fundamental dynamic. But our concepts of organizing societies have not progressed for the last one hundred years. There are two basic models of organization available for the future.

Agreements for a Networked World: RuleScape

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 00:11:22 +0000

There are two kinds of dangerous rules: Those that do not work and those that most people ignore.

Both lead to broken peace and stalled life. The usual way of creating rules – law – was to create fixed rules from top to down and enforce them with surveillance and threats of violence.

Weaving the fabric of a good world

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:18:01 +0000

This is an imaginative story, not a mystery. No religion, no guide, only inspiration.

Global Spying

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:36:41 +0000

Something I wrote some years ago, mostly as an accident. But still relevant for today, even more then ever.

Global Spying:

Realistic Probabilities In Modern Signals Intelligence

In this article, we will present insight to the realistic possibilities of Internet mass surveillance. When talking about the threat of Internet surveillance, the common argument is that there is so much traffic that any one conversation or email won’t be picked up unless there is reason to suspect those concerned; it is impossible that “they” can listen to us all.

Dear XYZ, money laundering

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 01:29:58 +0000

Dear XYZ,

you asked me on comments and thoughts on the problem of money laundering.

Another Admin

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:17:06 +0000

Just the usual again.

Usual- that sounds not very important.

But anyways, sometimes usual things are important as well. Though Derk couldn’t know. When you are an anonymous administrator for computer systems you never know how important your work

really is, or how usual. Though the job in itself was sometimes boring. Derk was the caretaker for roughly 200 computers he knew nothing about except that they needed to be checked, configured, monitored, repaired.

Today was one of those days were the job really turned into stress.

Another cypherpunked day at the city

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:01:00 +0000

Shite, some customers really have it. Two hours talk about decision making algorithms, and all that while Smuggler waits for his cracker to pierce into the next store of loot. Finally he had come free from the meeting and quickly walked down the street. Damn hot day, again. But clouds started crowding the sky, promising some air cleaning.

Better to get a fucking roof to hide under – since it wasn’t really advisable to be soaked by the downpour of H2O and all the airborne shite – nanobots, viruses, bacteria. This week the newest in the collection of microscopic bastards was looking for new victims. The body count already above 50, EHEC was the scare of the day. Until someone deemed the common flue as the end of humans again.

Not that Smuggler cared, he simply hated to run around in soaked clothes. But he had already spotted a free seat at the noodle shop cross the street, hurrying there before any of those fat, old sex tourists could squat it.

The Second Realm - Book on Strategy

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 16:38:06 +0000

The Second Realm Book on Strategy Crypto-Anarchy, Tradecraft, TAZ and Counterculture This is a booklet for people in search for liberty, and who subscribe to a philosophy of personal, civil and economic liberty through the absence of government in their lives, along with the presence of strong property rights. Among the varying philosophies that hold this view the most noted is probably that of Anarcho-Capitalism of both the Rothbardian and the Friedmanite flavor.

Desert Flower

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:22:15 +0000

No life.

No water.

Silence.