Topic: How to buy a hardware wallet anonymously (Read 272 times)
For me, buying such things is generally quite dangerous. I think that at the present time it is rather difficult to find a worthy option.
I do use old school cold storage methods such as electrum with a cold storage computer and same with MEW with cold storage signing on an offline computer.
I reason I got the ledger was because crypto is evolving and if you want to get into Defi or NFT you need to use Metamask. And to use Metamask securely only method is by ledger. I am surprised you can’t create an Metamask wallet offline and sign transactions like you would with electrum.
I reason I got the ledger was because crypto is evolving and if you want to get into Defi or NFT you need to use Metamask. And to use Metamask securely only method is by ledger. I am surprised you can’t create an Metamask wallet offline and sign transactions like you would with electrum.
I’ll open it up if I find a guide somewhere and look around and compare.
There is a guide on the Ledger website: https://support.ledger.com/hc/en-us/articles/4404382029329. I wouldn't be following any third party guides for something like this.Honestly getting worried now. However has there been any tampered hardware wallets in the past?
Yes. See this thread for more details: https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/ledger-fake-device-warning-5344317Getting second thoughts and I might actually return this and just use my old Electrum/MEW cold storage solutions.
I prefer true cold storage over hardware wallets, if you have the technical knowledge required to set up and use such cold storage properly. But most people don't, and it is much easier to make a mistake with a self created cold storage solution over a hardware wallet. Given that you've bought from an official reseller, if you follow the guide on the Ledger website to confirm authenticity before you use the device, then you are as safe as can be using a hardware wallet. I'm just pointing out that the things that you think are a mark of safety - such as a sealed box - are meaningless compared to the things which are actually a mark of safety - such as cryptographic signing.
I’ll open it up if I find a guide somewhere and look around and compare. Honestly getting worried now. However has there been any tampered hardware wallets in the past?
I only heard of having tampered instruction manual where they tell the user to use a specific 24 word seed. The guide makes it seem like it’s for that specific device.
I also heard of some earlier hardware wallet where the passcode is easy to bypass but that requires having the physical HW at hand.
Getting second thoughts and I might actually return this and just use my old Electrum/MEW cold storage solutions.
I only heard of having tampered instruction manual where they tell the user to use a specific 24 word seed. The guide makes it seem like it’s for that specific device.
I also heard of some earlier hardware wallet where the passcode is easy to bypass but that requires having the physical HW at hand.
Getting second thoughts and I might actually return this and just use my old Electrum/MEW cold storage solutions.
Hackers always have their ways but so far ledger prove to be one of the secured wallet, just make sure you bought the original one.
That's the point I'm making though. Relying on a package either being sealed or having tamper evident seals or stickers is not a good nor a reliable way to be sure that you have bought an authentic or original device. You can buy hundreds of shrink wrap bags for less than 10 bucks which you just heat up with something like a blow dryer to shrink and seal around your package. Tamper evident stickers are only marginally more tricky than this to fake.Each hardware wallet should have its own processes for verifying its authenticity, such as firmware being signed by the manufacturers or cryptographic handshakes with their servers. Some, such as Ledger, also provide guides on opening your device and examining the hardware itself to ensure nothing has been added or modified.
Just make sure when you are buying that its sealed because Bestbuy accepts returns on pretty much anything and if someone bought it, tampered with it, and returned it you might be in trouble.
I would point out that for an attacker who is capable of tampering with a hardware wallet, bypassing its security mechanisms, flashing malicious code or replacing some internal chip with a malicious one, and still having it pass whatever verification process it has, then being able to reseal a package or forge a tamper-evident sticker is absolutely trivial and should not be relied on whatsoever.Just make sure when you are buying that its sealed because Bestbuy accepts returns on pretty much anything and if someone bought it, tampered with it, and returned it you might be in trouble.
I would point out that for an attacker who is capable of tampering with a hardware wallet, bypassing its security mechanisms, flashing malicious code or replacing some internal chip with a malicious one, and still having it pass whatever verification process it has, then being able to reseal a package or forge a tamper-evident sticker is absolutely trivial and should not be relied on whatsoever.BestBuy is however an official Ledger reseller: https://www.ledger.com/reseller
Yes surprisingly I found it at Bestbuy out of all places. I am surprised they even had it in stock locally. So if anyone needs one check your local bestbuy. The Nano S was sold out but the Nano X was plenty in stock.
Just make sure when you are buying that its sealed because Bestbuy accepts returns on pretty much anything and if someone bought it, tampered with it, and returned it you might be in trouble.
This is probably the easiest method to get a hardware wallet anonymously compared to getting it shipped.
Just make sure when you are buying that its sealed because Bestbuy accepts returns on pretty much anything and if someone bought it, tampered with it, and returned it you might be in trouble.
This is probably the easiest method to get a hardware wallet anonymously compared to getting it shipped.
Ok I found one at a reputable store.
Is the store an official reseller? Check on the list here: https://www.ledger.com/resellerFor me, I don't care how reputable a store is. You are not just trusting the store, but you are trusting all their supply chains and all the people who work for all the third parties which get the hardware wallet from Ledger to the store in question. Most hardware wallets (Ledger included) have buitl in protections against supply chain attacks, but I still wouldn't take the risk with my coins. I would buy directly or from an official reseller, or not at all.
However does anyone know what the Ledger Nano S Plus or Ledger Nano X packaging security features it has?
Follow the like joniboini has given to check the authenticity of the device it self, and use this link to do the same for the Ledger Live software: https://support.ledger.com/hc/en-us/articles/4404807946001-How-to-verify-the-authenticity-of-Ledger-Live 
You might want to look for reviews about the hardware wallet you want to buy on Youtube or blog posts. Something like this[1]. Some forum members also posted reviews on the hardware wallet section before, so you can scroll down there for a bit. Most of the time they show the packaging features so you can compare and see how it differed from yours.
Some hardware also features a genuine verification program in their app, you can use that to make sure your device is genuine and not fake. For example, you can find the Ledger guide to do it here[2]. I'm pretty sure other wallets have that feature too so just check out their guide before you start using it. You can also reset it first to make sure before making a new wallet.
[1] https://www.coingecko.com/learn/ledger-bitcoin-hardware-wallet-review
[2] https://support.ledger.com/hc/en-us/articles/4404389367057-Is-my-Ledger-device-genuine-?docs=true
Some hardware also features a genuine verification program in their app, you can use that to make sure your device is genuine and not fake. For example, you can find the Ledger guide to do it here[2]. I'm pretty sure other wallets have that feature too so just check out their guide before you start using it. You can also reset it first to make sure before making a new wallet.
[1] https://www.coingecko.com/learn/ledger-bitcoin-hardware-wallet-review
[2] https://support.ledger.com/hc/en-us/articles/4404389367057-Is-my-Ledger-device-genuine-?docs=true
Ok I found one at a reputable store. However does anyone know what the Ledger Nano S Plus or Ledger Nano X packaging security features it has?
Obviously it needs to be shrink wrapped however is the shrink wrap custom with ledger logos or just regular clear shrink wrap?
Does it have any tamper proof tape anywhere?
Sorry for the obvious questions but I never bought one before.
Obviously it needs to be shrink wrapped however is the shrink wrap custom with ledger logos or just regular clear shrink wrap?
Does it have any tamper proof tape anywhere?
Sorry for the obvious questions but I never bought one before.
Its easy bro , just rent an airbnb or any holiday property and give the adress to the ledger company , stay for few weeks and wait for your package . It will be a temporary adress to receive your ledger and not linked to your real adress .
I think that's a bit excessive, so a person won't go on holiday just to buy HW - and people usually stay on holiday for 1 or 2 weeks, and with all that you have to take into account the laws of the country you're staying in, customs and the time it takes to deliver the package to the desired address. In addition, if we are already traveling somewhere, why not check if there is an official seller there who has physical stores where HW can be bought for cash.
I live in a tourist-oriented country, and HW can be bought in well-known IT equipment stores, as well as in several physical crypto exchanges - it can't be simpler than that.
I also think it's impossible. Either you sacrifice your anonymity, or deprive the anonymity of the one who does it for you, but through that person, if they wish, they can still get to you.
I don't think it's possible to buy hardware wallet anonymously if you're not using a fake name and fake address. What I mean about fake here is you're using your friends name or that doesn't link to you. Literally you bought the hardware wallet using your friends name, which is your friends privacy would be exposed.
Don't forget you're need to hide your real name when you create your account on the marketplace, also you must pay it via Bitcoin, if you pay it via banks or the other centralized payment processor it will ruined your purpose.
Don't forget you're need to hide your real name when you create your account on the marketplace, also you must pay it via Bitcoin, if you pay it via banks or the other centralized payment processor it will ruined your purpose.
Its easy bro , just rent an airbnb or any holiday property and give the adress to the ledger company , stay for few weeks and wait for your package . It will be a temporary adress to receive your ledger and not linked to your real adress .
@adaseb, do you have someone who has his own shop or company? Then you could simply pay with Bitcoin and order directly from Ledger to an address that would have nothing to do with you - although you would have to trust the person who would provide you with such a service.
Another option that comes to mind is for someone else to order it for you and then send it to you, first of all I mean someone you trust on the forum, if such a person exists.
Yes, any trusted person from his friends can place an order and buy the wallet and send it to him, then the OP receives it from the post office, or he can go to the shops of one of the authorized distributors of the wallet in his country and buy it anonymously without revealing his real name and address to them, I do not see any problem In providing his real information, as what I know is that they do not collect this information or display it to any party, but whoever likes to be anonymous when purchasing any of the hardware wallets can try one of the methods that I and the rest of the members mentioned. Another option that comes to mind is for someone else to order it for you and then send it to you, first of all I mean someone you trust on the forum, if such a person exists.
@adaseb, do you have someone who has his own shop or company? Then you could simply pay with Bitcoin and order directly from Ledger to an address that would have nothing to do with you - although you would have to trust the person who would provide you with such a service.
Another option that comes to mind is for someone else to order it for you and then send it to you, first of all I mean someone you trust on the forum, if such a person exists.
Another option that comes to mind is for someone else to order it for you and then send it to you, first of all I mean someone you trust on the forum, if such a person exists.
I can do the Poste Restante but how do I do this exactly? It asks for a shipping address when ordering, do I put in the DHL service depot address in there? Don’t want it getting lost and losing $100.
No, you put your name, "General Delivery", and the address/city/state/zip code of the post office you want it delivered to. Check with that post office they support general delivery first, otherwise your package may get redirected elsewhere. There are more details on the USPS website here: https://faq.usps.com/s/article/What-is-General-DeliveryI think the best method for me is to buy a prepaid visa or Amazon gc and just get it delivered to those Amazon hub lockers.
Can you sign up to an Amazon account using a prepaid card with fake details? Because if not, even if you get delivery to an Amazon locker, Amazon will still have your full name and address. Check out this thread: Do Hardware wallet Manufacturers Ship to PO Boxes or Not?
The best option is to order direct from the seller under a pseudonym to a shipping location not directly linked to your real name and identity. How easy or not this is to do depends on both your country/state of residence and the hardware wallet manufacturer and their shipping arrangements.
Other options will to buy in person from an official reseller using cash, or to use general delivery/poste restante to deliver to a post office and then pick up with your ID, meaning you only have to reveal your name and not your address. You can (and should) choose a post office in a different county/area/zip code/etc. to the one you live in to make it harder to trace.
The best option is to order direct from the seller under a pseudonym to a shipping location not directly linked to your real name and identity. How easy or not this is to do depends on both your country/state of residence and the hardware wallet manufacturer and their shipping arrangements.
Other options will to buy in person from an official reseller using cash, or to use general delivery/poste restante to deliver to a post office and then pick up with your ID, meaning you only have to reveal your name and not your address. You can (and should) choose a post office in a different county/area/zip code/etc. to the one you live in to make it harder to trace.
In my area there are no places to buy it locally unfortunately.
I can do the Poste Restante but how do I do this exactly? It asks for a shipping address when ordering, do I put in the DHL service depot address in there? Don’t want it getting lost and losing $100.
I think the best method for me is to buy a prepaid visa or Amazon gc and just get it delivered to those Amazon hub lockers.
Check out this thread: Do Hardware wallet Manufacturers Ship to PO Boxes or Not?
The best option is to order direct from the seller under a pseudonym to a shipping location not directly linked to your real name and identity. How easy or not this is to do depends on both your country/state of residence and the hardware wallet manufacturer and their shipping arrangements.
Other options will to buy in person from an official reseller using cash, or to use general delivery/poste restante to deliver to a post office and then pick up with your ID, meaning you only have to reveal your name and not your address. You can (and should) choose a post office in a different county/area/zip code/etc. to the one you live in to make it harder to trace.
The best option is to order direct from the seller under a pseudonym to a shipping location not directly linked to your real name and identity. How easy or not this is to do depends on both your country/state of residence and the hardware wallet manufacturer and their shipping arrangements.
Other options will to buy in person from an official reseller using cash, or to use general delivery/poste restante to deliver to a post office and then pick up with your ID, meaning you only have to reveal your name and not your address. You can (and should) choose a post office in a different county/area/zip code/etc. to the one you live in to make it harder to trace.
Jump to: