Tools to Protect Your Identity While Browsing Feshop

Before it was seized in 2021, Feshop was considered one of the most “professional” darknet markets, known for selling stolen identity data and financial credentials. But with its high profile came high risks. Anyone even visiting feshop without the right protections risked exposing their identity to law enforcement, scammers, or hackers.

So what tools did cybercriminals use to shield themselves from being tracked? Here's a breakdown of the top tools and techniques they relied on to try and stay invisible.

🧅 1. TOR Browser (The Onion Router)

What it does: Routes your internet traffic through multiple encrypted layers to hide your IP address and location.

Why it mattered: Feshop was only accessible via the TOR network. But TOR alone doesn’t make you invisible.

Pro tip: Never use TOR without additional protection like a VPN. And never open TOR on your daily device.

🔐 2. VPN (Virtual Private Network)

What it does: Masks your real IP address by routing your internet connection through a secure server in a different location.

Best options: Paid, no-log VPNs based in privacy-respecting jurisdictions (e.g., ProtonVPN, Mullvad, or NordVPN with multi-hop).

Combo strategy: Use VPN ➝ TOR for hiding TOR usage from your ISP.

💻 3. Tails OS (The Amnesic Incognito Live System)

What it does: A live operating system that runs from a USB and leaves no trace on the host computer.

Key features:

Routes all connections through TOR

Deletes all session data upon shutdown

Comes with PGP tools and Bitcoin wallet pre-installed

Why it’s ideal: It's the gold standard for darknet anonymity.

📬 4. PGP Encryption (Pretty Good Privacy)

What it does: Encrypts communications so only the intended recipient can read them.

Used for: Messaging vendors, admins, or other users securely on platforms like Feshop.

Important tip: Always generate your own key pair offline and never store private keys on connected devices.

💸 5. Monero (XMR) or Privacy Coins

What it does: Provides untraceable, private transactions—unlike Bitcoin, which has a public blockchain.

Why criminals loved it: Monero transactions are practically impossible to link to real-world identities.

Extra layer: Use local wallet apps and decentralized exchanges to avoid KYC checks.

🪪 6. Fake Personas and Burner Identities

What it includes:

Burner email accounts (via ProtonMail or Tutanota)

Fake names, birthdates, and details for account creation

No use of real photos, metadata, or typing patterns

Note: Advanced users even spoofed device fingerprints and randomized typing behavior.

📁 7. Cold Storage Wallets & Air-Gapped Devices

What it does: Keeps private keys and crypto balances completely offline, reducing the chance of theft or surveillance.

Used for: Holding large crypto balances or securely signing transactions.

Setup: An old laptop or Raspberry Pi permanently disconnected from the internet.

🧨 8. Secure File Erasers & Data Wipers

Tools like:

BleachBit

DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke)

srm (secure remove)

Why they used them: To destroy logs, wallet backups, and PGP keys beyond recovery.

Final Word: Anonymity Is Fragile

Even with all these tools, no one is ever 100% anonymous. Many Feshop users were caught because they:

Forgot to turn on their VPN

Reused usernames or emails

Left metadata in photos or logs

Got lazy about OPSEC after a few successful transactions

The takeaway: Learning how these tools work is critical for anyone studying cybersecurity or digital forensics. But using them to commit crimes is a fast-track ticket to federal charges and prison time.