One area of particular concern is electronic surveillance and government intrusion into e-mail and telephone communications. While this may make it easier for the government to avert future acts of terrorism, it will also mean that many private citizens will have their expectations of privacy raped. For those readers who use the Internet for less than legal business or just don't like the idea of the government eavesdropping, this article is aimed at helping you protect your privacy.

Security is discussed in the hypothetical context of purchasing steroids on the Internet, but the rationale is valid even if you want to keep your girlfriend from finding out what porn DVDs you ordered for yourself last time you got drunk.

Introduction

Purchasing anabolic steroids over the Internet has become extremely popular despite the serious danger posed from both communications and the receiving of the product. Assuming you have a trusted source, which is an art form in and of itself, you need to consider a few other elements before you send out a couple hundred bucks and sit back for your package of T200. If you are not careful you are going to end up opening the door wide for a group of Federal agents who will proceed to ransack your house, rip apart your belonging, and probably take you for a little ride downtown. At the end of the day, you are going to be looking at possible criminal charges, a wrecked house, lawyer bills, and no T200... if this sounds like fun, then by all means stop reading now.

Security is of the utmost importance. If you are going to be breaking the law, you want to cover your ass. Therefore you will need a PO box (or receiving address), an anonymous e-mail account that is PGP encrypted or better yet PGP on your home computer, and some common sense. I can't give you much in the way of common sense, but I can help you with those other two requirements.

The Safe Address

Most sources will ship through registered couriers like FedEx or UPS because this lets everyone involved monitor the progress of the shipment. You should make it a habit of tracking your packages carefully; watch to see how long they spend in route. If you are expecting an overnight package that takes a week to arrive, guess what, I probably would not sign for it.

Some of these private carriers will not deliver to a post office box and others require a signature. Insist that the person sending you the product remove the signature requirement, if they will not do that than find another source. If you do not have a signature on the package, it is much harder to be legally implicated in receiving the contents, but if they get your signature on the delivery form that make a very compelling piece of evidence.

I recommend that you not use your home address. Setting up a PO box is easy, but shouldn't be done in your own name. Use a fake ID to open up the box account so that it's harder to trace the contents of the shipment to you. There are numerous sites on the web that will provide you with fake identification cards but be careful because some forms of fake ID can be illegal in and of themselves.

Make sure that whatever form of novelty ID you purchase has, somewhere, a disclaimer that it is merely for amusement purposes and whatever you do, do not carry that false ID in your normal wallet.

It may also be a good idea to have an address that is not a post office box because some carriers, particularly DHL, do not deliver to post office boxes. So you should have a back-up address where you receive packages. This can be a vacant house, an empty apartment, or a summer home. Have products sent there and place a sign on the door telling the carrier no signature required, leave package at door. Drive by later and pick up the packages! As long as the dollar value of the package is less then a couple hundred dollars they wont have a problem leaving the box on the doorstep.

E-mail

Hushmail and Operamail are secure web-based e-mail services. They store your e-mails in an encrypted form based on a key phrase you provide and several other random factors. Ostensibly, even the provider cannot read your e-mail. I personally find Hushmail unreliable, so I do not use the service, but I have heard nothing but good things about Ziplip and Operamail.

Do yourself a favor and make sure you have an account like this setup before you begin doing anything online. Also, if you can, check your e-mail from an Internet café or a local library. This may seem excessive, but if you are a source then this is the level of precaution you should be taking. Never use an America online (AOL) e-mail address or a Web TV address. These are both as unsecured as you can get. As a general rule, don't even correspond with people who have these addresses. It's just not a good idea.

There is no excuse not to register for a free PGP account or install the freeware on your home machine. You can also set up PGP on your home computer and this is the best method of protecting your e-mail PGP is an encryption algorithm that uses a two-key system; a public key and a private one. You can download this software for free at www.pgp.com and it integrates with the most common windows e-mail programs (outlook, outlook express, etc). You write a message, copy the text to your clipboard (you highlight the text and right click your mouse or you can press Crtl-C) and then choose encrypt from the PGP tool menu. You than past the contents of the clipboard into an outgoing message and there you go.

The Result Will Look Something Like This:

FsYU4Rf4nOpP//6F4pG/5NzgIjZ1uSIr7KlUVY9sI/djIYyc DNYZnrfQDH1d1WhL gJQkJ7v1KlIKDMaj5ewWnT62 ASkWmIn6p01UH0ZFDGlS2nVUQZNUt2aXWoMvxrNX QeraiYWZrqI0Nlu/HrtZ8Fg6pH8Zp086OnKRN3o yRtjZrgru/4yLXWBsG3qODwDY HXDqjue8gME6k9QeDhW4E8ZFKvU ZsFmM3xJniZzWl77y6LWj0BPikP/cdfvH2eJZ bjLEAr9wIo6ZbIgluSMgtWw3g22vu7PVGSPragihGu Stbm1rokVjT8TFQnpDZSi +WoaqrzQYfLM9hgL3g==

PGP is very robust, but the strength of the security depends a great deal on your choice of a pass phrase. Like all passwords, you should select a phrase that is not immediately associated with you. Do not select your child's name or your girlfriend's name; nothing that anyone who knew you or rummaged through your trash or mail could guess.

Furthermore your password should be a combination of letters, characters, numbers and should not be only one case. A nice length is 10-15 characters but the longer and more elaborate the better. You should also be sure not to use all common words (or at least do not spell them properly) because one of the fastest ways to break a password is to run a dictionary and see if any of the words in it are the password.

Examples Of Terrible Passwords:

'grendel'
'toomanysecrets'
'anabolicextreme'
'maryhadalittlelamb'

Examples Of Good Passwords:

'Gr3nd@l_iS_C0oL!?!'
'2m@neseCR3Ts'
'An@_b0l1cXXXtr3me.COM'

Obviously, you should never write down this pass phrase. Furthermore, it is a good idea to change your phrase periodically. Using PGP is a very good way of keeping your e-mail private but it can also be used to encrypt files of all types. Be sure to select your own name off the recipients list when you encrypt the file, otherwise you will not be able to open the file again. Be sure to delete your old e-mails, both sent and received. once a deal has gone through, get rid of that information. Assuming that the security of your e-mail server is compromised, which is always a possibility, the last thing you want is a detailed documentation of all your activities.

Deleting files is not as simple as you think. In order to properly remove all remnants of a file you need to write over that data several times; the best security measures involve 7-9 passes. This takes an ungodly amount of time and for most purposes 1-3 passes is sufficient. Be warned, it will take several hours to delete a moderately sized hard drive even using 1-3 passes.

The program I use is called Evidence Eliminator, and it incorporates many security measures into one nifty program. However, the problem is that Evidence Eliminator is not shareware; you have to pay for the registered version to get the full benefit. Fortunately, the PGP freeware includes a file-deleting component that can be used to eliminate single files, free space, or your entire hard drive.

The Buy

Next comes arranging the actual transaction.

The Source

There are many sites on line that try to sell membership by offering to connect clients with Internet steroid dealers. This is, in my opinion, a complete waste of money and a very good way of getting arrested. You will never be able to convince me that an reputable steroid dealer would so flagrantly flaunt his services for anyone with 20 bucks a month to shell out. At the very least, these sources are going to be outdated and flagged a long time ago. The same is true for sites that purport to sell you lists of online Pharmacies; most of these pharmacies have been flagged by US customs a long time ago; do not expect to receive anything from these sources.

It is rather easy to find the e-mail of a source on the web or on countless bodybuilding bulletin boards. Contacting a monitor or veteran AFTER you have become a regular visitor is the surest way to get a good lead. Remember that these people you ask for help are going to be weary of helping a total stranger. It's best to lurk for a while, follow some threads, and then ask.

Once you have a source's address, send him an e-mail from your secure account and ask for a price list. When you get this list, look it over carefully. Are the prices too low? If so, be cautious. If you see 1000 Thai dianabol for 10 dollars you better assume it is a joke (at best), a scammer, or a cop. The source should have also included a list of e-mail addresses of people who will vouch for his service. Be sure to e-mail these people and ask them, discretely once again, about their experience. If you get a single negative comment then find some other source. Too many once legitimate sources have turned to scamming for you to trust anyone.

Checking with references is not a surefire way to protect yourself because very good scammers will create several false identities that they use to confirm their services. The best references would be moderators at prominent boards or someone you know on a personal basis. Still, never send more money than you are willing to lose; it is always a gamble and you do not want to take out a second mortgage for GH only to get scammed.

Ask the source about packaging, especially if you are purchasing items like growth hormone that must be refrigerated. Find out what carrier the source ships by and what sort of turnaround time you can expect. These are all very important questions. Be sure to find out if the source is shipping from within the country or from outside. In the United States mail being sent from the west coast to the east coast is searched more often.

Also, packages from countries like Mexico, Greece, and Thailand have a higher likelihood of being inspected. I think that ordering international is a terrible idea for anything scheduled. Note that products like Clomid, Viagra, and nonscheduled drugs can be imported legally and are ideal purchases from international dealers such as SBC.

The Funds

I want to reiterate that every time you send money to an Internet dealer you are placing your money on a roulette wheel. If you have done your homework, you will probably be all right and some sources (the ones that people whisper about quietly and protect like the valuable resource they are) are almost sure bets. Nevertheless, there is an element of chance in every transaction and, in the end, the more you send out, the less likely you are get anything back. As the amount of money involved increases, people generally get less, not more, professional.

In this vein, many sources have a minimum order. If this is not less than you are willing to risk, then go elsewhere or discuss this with the source. Don't be convinced to up the ante just because there is a minimum order amount. Some sources want you to mail them cash, as it is the most anonymous. This is not a problem providing that you place the money inside something like tin foil or a birthday card. Be sure to send this money with a confirmation of delivery so that you have a tracking number. This will prevent someone from taking your money but claiming it never arrived.

Money orders and Western Union wires can also be used. Never use personal checks. Internet sites are now making it easier to transfer money. In the near future I expect to see a lot of sources using things like PayPal to make transactions that much more efficient. Prescriptionfree.com even offers anonymous credit card payments via a third party payment system.

The Pickup

Do not be too eager to rush down and get your package the moment it arrives, like some kid waiting for his sea monkeys. If you do have it sent to your home, mark Return To Sender on the package with a big black marker. If you're going to be busted, it's going to happen with a few hours of receiving the package, the cops aren't going to risk waiting days and have the items disappear.

By marking the package in this fashion, you can always claim that either a) the package was addressed to someone who didn't live at your residence so you were going to return it to the shipper (only works if you ordered to your home under a fake name obviously) or b) you didn't recognize the addressee and weren't expecting any packages so you were going to return it the shipper (this is much more plausible after the anthrax scare).

This MAY work to get you out of trouble, but only if you're smart. If you've got gear being shipped to your house, it's not a good idea to have gear in your house. It's going to be very hard to use either of these excuses if the cops search (and they will, believe me) and find that you're already in possession of steroids. Additionally, this is like a one-time get out of jail free card. If you get popped, and this gets you off, it's not going to work a second time. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth by pushing your luck.

When you finally open the package, check the contents carefully. Are all the vials or ampoules intact? Is there any evidence the box has been re-packed after it was inspected? Immediately inform the source if any of the shipped items are damaged; this is unacceptable. The source should be a good businessman and replace the lost items -- if he doesn't then, just don't repeat your business with him. This is a very competitive market and there is no excuse for poor service.

Destroy the box and all shipping receipts when you are done removing the gear. By destroy, I mean burn, putting it in your garbage isn't going to cut it. At the same time you are destroying the physical evidence, go back and delete all relevant data off your home computer using the deleting programs I mentioned earlier in the article. You do not want a price list, tracking numbers, and some western union numbers lying around on your hard drive if someone does come knocking on your door with a search warrant.

If you want to keep the source's price list or some record of the transaction create a single document, write all the relevant information in that file, and then, using PGP, encrypt that document. Store that document in a folder that is easily accessible and be prepared to delete it at the drop of a hat. The best place to keep all relevant information about a source is right between your ears. The second best is behind a hardy piece of software protection.

It's Not Over Until It's Over!

Just getting your precious juice was hard enough wasn't it? Did you think you were finished being all super-secretive. Nope! These are drugs that will land you in jail and or prison if you're ever caught, so leaving them in your medicine cabinet is a bad idea. Do you have a nosy roommate, girlfriend, mother, or friend? Can you see the enormous potential for trouble if a jilted girlfriend knows you keep 10 bottles of illegal steroids in your medicine chest right next to the toothbrush?

If you're a serious juicer, and by that I mean that you're taking steroids several months out of the year, a floor safe might be a good investment. These are virtually undetectable and you'll know your gear is both safe and VERY hard to find. In reality most people are not caught because of steroid related offenses, but rather as a byproduct of other legal problems. A lot of dealers cross over into narcotics, cocaine, etc. and get caught and role over on their steroid clientele. Some guys get into fights with their girlfriends or just have their music on too loud during a party and the police get called.

What happens next can be the beginning of a nightmare. First of all, you should never ever admit a cop into your home or permit them to search your car or house without a search warrant. You have no obligation to cooperate with the police. The police can force their way into your home or car if they have either 1) a reasonable suspicion that person is involved in some criminal activity, or 2) they have probable cause that a crime has been committed and that person committed it.

The first is called a "Terry" stop, and it permits a brief investigative detention. If the officer has an objectively reasonable fear for his safety, he may do a "pat-down" search for weapons only. Now that might included a razor blade, so this can get invasive enough to make you empty your pockets. Also, anything they can "plainly feel" to be contraband, usually drugs or a weapon, can be seized. If you let a cop into your home, you are making a big mistake because they will be scanning every inch of your home, looking for something that they can use against you. You should always, politely, refuse to permit the police to enter your home. If you want to speak to them, step outside your home and close your door behind you.

Frequently the police use a tag-team method of "talking" to you which means one guy is pumping you with questions hoping you will get nervous and say something dumb and the other officer is looking around your home or peering over your shoulder trying to discern something they can use to force their way into your home. If they have a warrant they are not going to bother asking, in fact, by asking they are effectively showing that they do not have the needed "probable cause" to conduct a search without a warrant. Hopefully you know that a search without a warrant is a violation of the Bill of Rights and can lead to suppression of the evidence obtained in that search.

Besides being nice to your girlfriend and keeping your noise clean, the best way of avoiding unwanted trouble with the law is to learn to keep your mouth shut and not to be intimidated by police. Never think for a second a police officer is on your side and if you are arrested, police have no obligation to tell you the truth and no legal authority to cut you deals; only the District Attorney can do that. So, if you get into trouble, keep your mouth shut except to say "I want to talk to an attorney!"

Concluding Remarks

OK, gentle readers. I hope I have made you all a lot more paranoid but also furnished you with some tools to use to protect your private freedoms. Many people think that this type of thing will never happen to them, that they are too small to bring down the wrath of the legal system. For the most part, I am inclined to believe that this is true. However, you can never be sure. I would not gamble your freedom or livelihood on the hope that the police or DEA have better things to worry about than your next cycle. The reality is that you never really know. Maybe the District Attorney is running for reelection and wants to appear hard on crime!

Some of what I have outlined may seem excessive, paranoid, and silly. I wish that were the case, but I know many guys who have been through an arrest and the ensuing legal hassle and let me assure you that almost all of them would tell you to spend the extra time and money to do things right. Not only is your freedom virtually priceless but also more mundane things like bail bonds and lawyer fees can add up in a hurry.