Security Services & Tools Guide

Comprehensive guide to essential security services for We The North Market users: VPN services, cryptocurrency wallets, privacy tools, and OPSEC best practices. Everything you need for maximum anonymity and security.

🛡ī¸

VPN Services

Best VPNs for darknet: NordVPN, Mullvad, ProtonVPN comparison and setup guides

💰

Crypto Wallets

Secure cryptocurrency wallets: Monero, Bitcoin, hardware wallets, and mobile solutions

🔐

Privacy Tools

Essential tools: Tor Browser, PGP/GPG encryption, Tails OS, encrypted messaging

⚙ī¸

OPSEC Guide

Operational security best practices, threat models, and advanced anonymity techniques

Best VPN Services for Darknet Markets (2025)

ℹī¸

Do You Need a VPN for We The North Market?

Short Answer: No, VPN is NOT required for accessing We The North Market via Tor Browser. Tor already provides strong anonymity through its three-layer encryption and random node routing.

When VPN is Useful: If your ISP blocks Tor, or if you want to hide Tor usage from your ISP (VPN sees encrypted Tor traffic, ISP only sees VPN connection). However, using VPN + Tor together can actually decrease security if not configured properly.

đŸ”ĩ

NordVPN

Best Overall VPN for Privacy (2025)

✓ Pros

  • No-logs policy (audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers)
  • 5,500+ servers in 60 countries
  • Double VPN & Onion over VPN features
  • Kill switch (prevents IP leaks)
  • Accepts cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum)
  • Fast speeds (WireGuard protocol)
  • Works in restrictive countries (obfuscated servers)

✗ Cons

  • Based in Panama (14-Eyes alliance concern for some)
  • Requires email for registration
  • Premium price ($3-12/month depending on plan)
  • Some servers can be slow during peak times
  • Mobile app is resource-intensive

Best For: Users who want maximum features, fast speeds, and don't mind paying premium prices. NordVPN's "Onion over VPN" feature automatically routes your traffic through Tor network after VPN encryption.

Recommended Accepts Crypto No Logs
đŸŸĸ

Mullvad VPN

Most Private VPN (Anonymous Accounts)

✓ Pros

  • No personal information required (account = random number)
  • Accepts cash payments (mail anonymously)
  • Open-source clients (auditable code)
  • Flat â‚Ŧ5/month pricing (no discounts needed)
  • Based in Sweden (strong privacy laws)
  • Diskless servers (RAM-only = no data retention)
  • WireGuard protocol (fastest encryption)
  • Supports port forwarding

✗ Cons

  • Smaller server network (~800 servers vs NordVPN's 5,500)
  • No browser extensions
  • Limited streaming support (Netflix often blocks)
  • No 24/7 customer support
  • Not ideal for torrenting compared to competitors

Best For: Maximum privacy advocates. Mullvad's account system (just a number, no email) and cash payment option make it the most anonymous VPN available. Perfect for darknet market users who prioritize privacy over features.

Most Private Accepts Cash Open Source
đŸŸŖ

ProtonVPN

Best Free Tier + Strong Security

✓ Pros

  • Free tier available (unlimited bandwidth, 3 countries)
  • Based in Switzerland (strongest privacy laws globally)
  • Secure Core (routes through privacy-friendly countries first)
  • Made by CERN scientists & ProtonMail team
  • Open-source apps (transparency)
  • Built-in Tor over VPN
  • Accepts Bitcoin
  • No logging policy (audited)

✗ Cons

  • Free tier limited to 1 device & slow speeds
  • Expensive paid plans ($5-30/month)
  • Smaller server network (~1,700 servers)
  • Speeds can be inconsistent
  • P2P only allowed on specific servers

Best For: Users who want a trusted, privacy-focused VPN with a functional free tier. ProtonVPN's Swiss jurisdiction and Secure Core feature make it excellent for high-threat models. Integration with ProtonMail ecosystem is a bonus.

Free Tier Switzerland Based Accepts Crypto

VPN Services Comparison

VPN Service Price/Month No-Logs Crypto Payment Server Count Rating
Mullvad â‚Ŧ5 (flat rate) ✅ Yes (audited) ✅ BTC + Cash ~800 ★★★★★
NordVPN $3-12 ✅ Yes (audited) ✅ BTC, ETH 5,500+ ★★★★☆
ProtonVPN Free-$30 ✅ Yes (audited) ✅ Bitcoin ~1,700 ★★★★☆
IVPN $6-10 ✅ Yes ✅ BTC, Monero, Cash ~90 ★★★★★
AirVPN â‚Ŧ4-9 ✅ Yes ✅ Bitcoin ~250 ★★★★☆
⚠ī¸

VPNs to AVOID for Darknet Use

  • ExpressVPN - Owned by Kape Technologies (former malware distributor)
  • HideMyAss (HMA) - Logged user data and handed it to law enforcement
  • IPVanish - Logged data despite "no-logs" claims, cooperated with FBI
  • PureVPN - Helped FBI catch cyberstalker despite "zero logs" marketing
  • Free VPNs - Hola, Betternet, Thunder VPN (sell your data, inject ads, malware)

Cryptocurrency Wallets for We The North Market

We The North Market accepts Monero (XMR) and Bitcoin (BTC). Monero is strongly recommended for maximum privacy. Below are the best wallets for each cryptocurrency.

🟠 Monero (XMR) Wallets

đŸ’ģ

Official Monero GUI Wallet

Desktop | Full Node | Maximum Security

✓ Pros

  • Official wallet (open-source, audited by community)
  • Full node capability (verify all transactions yourself)
  • Complete control of private keys
  • Advanced features (mining, subaddresses, multisig)
  • Works offline (cold wallet mode)
  • Built-in Tor support
  • Free and open-source

✗ Cons

  • Large blockchain download (~150GB for full node)
  • Slow initial sync (can take 24-48 hours)
  • Resource-intensive (requires powerful computer)
  • Complex UI for beginners
  • Desktop-only (no mobile version)

Installation Guide:

Download Official Wallet

Visit getmonero.org → Downloads → Select your OS (Windows/Mac/Linux)

https://www.getmonero.org/downloads/

Verify GPG Signature (Advanced Users)

Import Monero signing keys and verify the downloaded file is authentic (prevents malware)

gpg --verify monero-gui-linux-x64-v0.18.3.1.tar.bz2.sig

Install & Launch Wallet

Extract the archive, run monero-wallet-gui, select "Create new wallet"

Save 25-Word Seed Phrase

CRITICAL: Write down all 25 words on paper. Store in a safe place. This is your ONLY recovery method!

Choose Node Type

â€ĸ Full Node (recommended): Downloads entire blockchain (~150GB), maximum privacy
â€ĸ Remote Node (faster): Connects to someone else's node, less private but instant sync

Enable Tor (Optional but Recommended)

Settings → Network → Check "Connect via Tor" (requires Tor Browser running)

Official Open Source Full Control
📱

Cake Wallet

Mobile | iOS & Android | User-Friendly

✓ Pros

  • Mobile-first design (iOS & Android)
  • Easy to use (perfect for beginners)
  • Built-in exchange (swap XMR ↔ BTC without leaving app)
  • Supports Monero + Bitcoin in one app
  • Open-source
  • No account required
  • Fast sync (uses remote nodes)

✗ Cons

  • Uses remote nodes (slightly less private than full node)
  • Mobile-only (no desktop version)
  • Requires trusting node operators for blockchain data
  • Exchange feature charges small fees

Best For: Mobile users who want convenience without sacrificing too much privacy. Perfect for funding We The North Market on-the-go. Available on App Store and Google Play.

Mobile Beginner-Friendly Built-in Exchange
đŸ–Ĩī¸

Feather Wallet

Desktop | Lightweight | Privacy-Focused

✓ Pros

  • Lightweight (doesn't download blockchain)
  • Fast sync (connects via remote node)
  • Clean, modern UI
  • Built-in Tor support
  • CCS (Community Crowdfunding) integration
  • Reddit/LocalMonero price feeds
  • Hardware wallet support (Ledger, Trezor)

✗ Cons

  • Not official (community-developed)
  • Smaller user base (less tested)
  • Requires trusting remote nodes
  • No mobile version

Best For: Users who want a desktop wallet without the hassle of syncing the full blockchain. Feather Wallet is the perfect middle ground between Official GUI (heavy) and mobile wallets.

Lightweight Tor Support Modern UI

🟡 Bitcoin (BTC) Wallets

⚠ī¸

Bitcoin Privacy Warning

Important: Bitcoin transactions are PUBLIC and traceable on the blockchain. Anyone can see sender/receiver addresses and amounts. For We The North Market, we recommend using Monero. If you must use Bitcoin, follow these privacy practices:

  • Use a new address for EVERY transaction (never reuse)
  • Run Bitcoin through a mixer (Whirlpool, JoinMarket) before sending to WTN
  • Use Wasabi Wallet or Samourai Wallet (built-in CoinJoin mixing)
  • Never link your Bitcoin addresses to your real identity
đŸŒĒī¸

Wasabi Wallet

Desktop | Built-in CoinJoin | Maximum Bitcoin Privacy

✓ Pros

  • Built-in CoinJoin mixing (breaks transaction links)
  • Tor-only connections (IP anonymity)
  • Open-source
  • Non-custodial (you control keys)
  • Coin control (select which UTXOs to spend)
  • Hardware wallet support
  • Avoid address reuse automatically

✗ Cons

  • CoinJoin requires minimum 0.01 BTC
  • CoinJoin fees (0.3% coordinator fee)
  • Mixing takes time (hours to days)
  • Desktop-only (no mobile)
  • Complex for beginners

Best For: Bitcoin users who need maximum privacy. Wasabi's CoinJoin breaks the link between your coins' past and future, making it much harder to trace. Essential for using Bitcoin on We The North Market.

CoinJoin Tor-Only Max Privacy
đŸĨˇ

Samourai Wallet

Mobile | Android | Advanced Privacy Features

✓ Pros

  • Mobile-first (Android)
  • Whirlpool mixing (CoinJoin implementation)
  • Stealth mode (hides app icon)
  • PayNyms (reusable payment codes without address reuse)
  • Tor/VPN support
  • Stonewall/StonewallX2 (transaction obfuscation)
  • Remote SMS commands

✗ Cons

  • Android only (no iOS version)
  • Whirlpool requires desktop coordinator (Dojo)
  • Learning curve for advanced features
  • Some features require paid Dojo server

Best For: Android users who want advanced Bitcoin privacy on mobile. Samourai is the most privacy-focused Bitcoin mobile wallet, with features designed specifically for darknet market users.

Mobile Whirlpool Advanced

🔒 Hardware Wallets (Cold Storage)

Hardware Wallet Price Monero Support Bitcoin Support Best Feature
Ledger Nano X $149 ✅ Yes (via Monero GUI) ✅ Yes Bluetooth, 100+ coins, mobile app
Trezor Model T $219 ❌ No (Monero removed in 2024) ✅ Yes Touchscreen, Shamir backup
Coldcard Mk4 $147 ❌ No ✅ Yes (Bitcoin-only) Air-gapped, secure element, PSBT
Ledger Nano S Plus $79 ✅ Yes ✅ Yes Budget option, same security as Nano X
💡

Hardware Wallet Recommendations for WTN

For Monero: Ledger Nano S Plus or Nano X (only major hardware wallets supporting Monero in 2025)
For Bitcoin: Coldcard Mk4 (air-gapped, Bitcoin-only = maximum security) or Trezor Model T
For Both: Buy two separate hardware wallets (Ledger for XMR, Coldcard for BTC)

Essential Privacy & Security Tools

🧅

Tor Browser

Required for WTN Market Access

Download: torproject.org
Purpose: Anonymous browsing via onion routing
Security Level: Set to "Safest" for WTN
Features: 3-layer encryption, random routing, built-in NoScript

Required
🔐

GPG/PGP Encryption

Encrypt Shipping Addresses

Windows: GPG4Win (gpg4win.org)
Mac: GPG Suite (gpgtools.org)
Linux: GnuPG (pre-installed)
Purpose: Encrypt addresses for WTN vendors

Mandatory
đŸ’ŋ

Tails OS

Amnesic Live Operating System

Download: tails.boum.org
Features: Boots from USB, leaves no trace, Tor-only
Best For: Maximum anonymity, vendor operations
Size: ~1.2GB bootable image

Advanced
🗝ī¸

KeePassXC

Encrypted Password Manager

Download: keepassxc.org
Features: Local storage, open-source, no cloud
Use For: WTN credentials, PGP passphrases
Security: AES-256 encryption

Recommended

OPSEC Checklist for We The North Market

✓ Basic OPSEC

  • ✅ Use Tor Browser (always)
  • ✅ Enable 2FA on WTN account
  • ✅ Encrypt all addresses with PGP
  • ✅ Use Monero (not Bitcoin)
  • ✅ Never reuse passwords
  • ✅ Verify WTN mirror on this site

⚠ī¸ Intermediate OPSEC

  • ⚡ Use dedicated computer for WTN
  • ⚡ Full-disk encryption (VeraCrypt)
  • ⚡ KeePassXC for credentials
  • ⚡ Hardware wallet for crypto
  • ⚡ Never access from work/school WiFi
  • ⚡ Disable JavaScript in Tor

🔒 Advanced OPSEC

  • 🛡ī¸ Use Tails OS or Whonix
  • 🛡ī¸ Air-gapped PGP key generation
  • 🛡ī¸ Monero full node (own blockchain)
  • 🛡ī¸ Buy crypto with cash (no KYC)
  • 🛡ī¸ Physical security (no CCTV)
  • 🛡ī¸ Faraday bag for phone