PGP Freak's is a darknet-based OpenPGP key server that hosts a database containing the keys of trusted markets, shops, and vendors. The service allows any users to cross-reference a services, or a vendors PGP key, enabling them to confirm its authenticity. PGPFreak's is a new project, having been around for just a little over two months, but it has already built a solid reputation and is well accepted by the darknet community on Dread.
A little more about PGPFreak's:
The group behind the project claims that “PGPFreak's is an initiative for privacy, run by activists.” Their site can be accessed by anyone and is completely free to use. Donations are accepted to fund their operations. PGPFreak's is a community-run project in the sense that the group operating the website does not handle PGP verification alone. Anyone who has a trusted PGP key can certify or revoke others. This is a trust-based model that enables quick action, such as in cases of a vendor’s arrest, as recently demonstrated by the removal of BeeFreeLSD’s key.
PGPFreak's Website & Services
Positioning itself as a darknet PGP database, PGPFreak's can be accessed through its onion service. The website has a unique old-school design, but it is very basic and serves just one main function: verifying keys. Users can search for vendors or services to find their corresponding keys, or paste a key they have saved to check whether it is authentic and who it belongs to.
HKP support is also present, allowing users to connect the service directly to their PGP manager application, making authentication more streamlined. For more advanced users, or even for archival purposes, anyone can download the entire key database at any time, with instructions provided on the website and Subdread.
Looking for Contributions
PGPFreak's aims to be a community project, built by the community for the community. It does not have a profit motive. For this reason, the group is looking for trusted volunteers who can help maintain the website by keeping the PGP key database up to date. Detailed instructions on how to join are provided on their Subdread.
Conclusion
This is one of those unique projects that showcases what the darknet community is about: a group of dedicated, technically minded people creating something not to make money, but to provide a useful service to the community. So far, the project has been well received on Dread. Time will tell how the project develops and whether it can remain active and well maintained over the long term. We hope it succeeds, as it would be a valuable addition to the darknet ecosystem.
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