Why Do Links Change? (The Mirror System)
New users to the Drughub Market ecosystem are often confused by the constantly changing URLs. In the surface web, google.com is always google.com. In the darknet, the infrastructure is different.
Tor Hidden Services (Onion sites) are frequent targets of DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks. Competitors or extortionists bombard the market's entry nodes with junk traffic, making the site inaccessible. To combat this, Drughub deploys a system of "Rotational Mirrors".
A Drughub Mirror is an exact replica of the site, connected to the same backend database, but accessible via a different .onion address. If the main URL is down, the mirrors often remain up. This decentralization ensures that the market remains operational even under heavy attack.
The Definitive PGP Verification Guide
Trusting a link simply because it is listed on this site (or any site) is a security failure. You must establish a "Chain of Trust" using PGP (Pretty Good Privacy). This is the only mathematical way to prove a Drughub darknet link is authentic.
Install PGP Software
You need a tool to manage keys.
- Windows: Download Gpg4win (comes with Kleopatra).
- Linux/Tails: Access the "Passwords and Keys" (Seahorse) or use the terminal.
- macOS: Download GPG Suite.
Import the Official Admin Key
Below is the public key for the Drughub verification bot/admin. Copy this text block entirely and import it into your certificate manager.
The Verification Process
1. Open the Drughub onion link in Tor Browser.
2. On the login/captcha page, look for a message that says "PGP Signed Message" or "Verify this Mirror".
3. Copy the entire message block (including BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE).
4. Paste it into your PGP software (Kleopatra -> Notepad -> Decrypt/Verify).
If valid: The software will say "Good Signature from Drughub Admin".
If invalid: It will say "Bad Signature" or "Data not signed". CLOSE THE TAB IMMEDIATELY.
Anatomy of a Phishing Attack
Phishing is the #1 cause of fund loss in the darknet. Attackers create "Man-in-the-Middle" (MitM) sites. These sites proxy your traffic to the real Drughub site.
- Typosquatting: Addresses that look similar to the real one (e.g., swapping a 'd' for a 'b').
- Fake Wikis: Hackers spin up thousands of Wordpress sites on the clearweb claiming to be "Hidden Wikis" populated with fake links.
- Deposit Swap: On a phishing site, everything works normally until you go to the wallet page. The site replaces the market's deposit address with the hacker's address. You send coins, and they never arrive.
This is why we emphasize bookmarking your verified links. Once you have verified a link via PGP, save it. Do not search for "Drughub link" on Google every time you want to log in.
Troubleshooting Connectivity
If all Drughub mirrors appear down, the issue might be on your end.
1. The Tor Circuit
Sometimes a specific Tor node is blocked or slow. In the Tor Browser, click the shield icon or hamburger menu and select "New Tor Circuit for this Site". This forces the browser to find a new path through the network.
2. Time Synchronization
Cryptography relies on time. If your computer's clock is drifting by more than a few minutes, SSL and Onion connections will fail. Ensure your system clock is set to UTC or synchronized automatically.
3. Network Bridges
If your ISP or country blocks Tor, you need to use a Bridge. Go to Tor Settings -> Connection -> Bridges -> "Use a bridge". Use a built-in obfs4 bridge to obfuscate your traffic.
Disclaimer
This page is for informational and educational purposes only regarding network security and cryptography. We do not operate the links listed. Users are responsible for their own actions and compliance with local laws.