📋 Prerequisites
Before you begin registration, ensure you have the following:
Step 1: Access DrugHub Market
Launch Tor Browser
Open Tor Browser and wait for the connection to establish. Never use regular browsers.
✓ Tor Circuit: Established
✓ Connection: Secure
✓ Ready to browse .onion sites
Navigate to DrugHub Onion Address
Visit the official DrugHub .onion URL. Find verified mirrors at:
- drughubaccess.net/mirrors
- Dread forum official links section
- Dark.fail verification service
Step 2: Generate PGP Key Pair
DrugHub requires mandatory PGP login authentication. You must generate a 4096-bit RSA key pair before registration.
Open Your PGP Software
Kleopatra (Windows/Linux):
- Open Kleopatra
- Click "New Key Pair"
- Select "Create a personal OpenPGP key pair"
GPG Suite (macOS):
- Open GPG Keychain
- Click "New" button
- Enter your details
Configure Key Settings
Name: Use pseudonym (e.g., "DrugHubUser2025")
Email: Fake email or leave blank (e.g., "user@localhost")
Key Type: RSA and RSA
Key Size: 4096 bits (required)
Expiration: Never expires (or 2+ years)
Create Strong Passphrase
Your PGP passphrase protects your private key. Requirements:
- Minimum 20 characters
- Mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols
- Not related to personal information
- Store in password manager
Tr0pic@l-M0nk3y$87!Fly#R@inb0wBad Example:
password123
Export Your Public Key
- Right-click your newly created key
- Select "Export" or "Copy to Clipboard"
- Save the public key text (starts with
-----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----)
Step 3: Create Your DrugHub Account
Navigate to Registration Page
On DrugHub's onion site, click the "Register" button on the homepage or login page.
Fill Registration Form
Username:
- 3-20 characters
- Letters, numbers, underscores only
- Choose wisely - cannot be changed
- Don't use personal identifiers
Password:
- Minimum 12 characters (recommend 20+)
- Uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols
- Unique password - never reuse
- Store in password manager
PIN Code:
- 6-8 digit numeric PIN
- Required for withdrawals and sensitive actions
- Different from password
- Cannot be recovered if lost
PGP Public Key:
- Paste your entire public key block
- Must be 4096-bit RSA
- Verify you pasted the complete key
Solve CAPTCHA
Complete the anti-bot verification (usually image or text-based CAPTCHA).
Submit Registration
Click "Create Account" or "Register" button.
If successful, you'll see a confirmation message with:
- Your username
- Registration timestamp
- PGP fingerprint confirmation
Step 4: Verify Your Registration
First Login with PGP Authentication
DrugHub uses mandatory PGP login. Here's how it works:
- Enter your username and password on the login page
- Click "Login" - you'll receive an encrypted challenge
- Copy the PGP-encrypted message block
- Decrypt it using your PGP private key
- Copy the decrypted code
- Paste it back into the authentication field
- Submit to complete login
Decrypt Login Challenge (Kleopatra)
1. Copy the encrypted message from DrugHub (looks like this):
-----BEGIN PGP MESSAGE-----
hQIMA...encrypted...data...here
=abCD
-----END PGP MESSAGE-----2. In Kleopatra:
- Click "Decrypt/Verify"
- Paste the encrypted message
- Enter your PGP passphrase
- Copy the decrypted code (6-8 characters)
3. Return to DrugHub and paste the decrypted code
Access Your Account Dashboard
After successful authentication, you'll be logged into your account dashboard showing:
- Account balance (0.00 XMR initially)
- Profile information
- Security settings
- Order history
Step 5: Complete Security Setup
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Navigate to Settings → Security → 2FA:
- Scan the QR code with authenticator app (Authy, Google Authenticator)
- Save the backup codes in a secure location
- Enter the 6-digit code to verify
- 2FA is now active for all logins
Verify Mnemonic Phrase (If Applicable)
Some accounts receive a mnemonic recovery phrase:
- Write down all 12-24 words in exact order
- Store offline in multiple secure locations
- Never store digitally or take photos
- Required for account recovery
Set Communication Preferences
Configure notification settings:
- Order notifications: Enable for order updates
- Security alerts: Enable for login attempts
- Message notifications: Enable for vendor communications
Bookmark Your Onion Address
In Tor Browser:
- Verify you're on the correct DrugHub .onion URL
- Bookmark the page (Ctrl+D / Cmd+D)
- Name it clearly (e.g., "DrugHub Market - Official")
- Always access through this bookmark
🔧 Common Issues & Solutions
❌ "Invalid PGP Key" Error
Cause: Key not 4096-bit RSA or incomplete paste
Solution:
- Verify key size is exactly 4096 bits
- Ensure you copied the entire key block including header/footer
- Check for extra spaces or line breaks
- Regenerate key if necessary
❌ "Username Already Taken"
Solution: Choose a different username. Add numbers or underscores.
❌ Can't Decrypt Login Challenge
Causes:
- Wrong private key selected
- Incorrect PGP passphrase
- Incomplete encrypted message copied
Solution:
- Verify you're using the same key pair as registration
- Copy the entire encrypted block including headers
- Check PGP software is functioning correctly
❌ "Registration Temporarily Disabled"
Cause: Market may temporarily close registrations during high traffic or maintenance
Solution: Wait 30-60 minutes and try again. Check Dread forum for status updates.
❌ CAPTCHA Not Loading
Solution:
- Refresh the page (F5)
- Clear Tor Browser cache
- Try "New Tor Circuit" (click the broom icon)
- Disable JavaScript blocking if enabled
✅ Next Steps After Registration
🎯 Final Registration Tips
Document Everything: Save username, password, PIN, PGP passphrase, and 2FA backup codes in your password manager.
Test Your PGP: Practice encrypting and decrypting messages before your first order.
Backup Private Key: Export and securely store your PGP private key. Loss means permanent account lockout.
Verify URLs: Always check the .onion address through multiple trusted sources before login.
Protect Identity: Never use personal information in username, PGP key name, or any market communication.
Practice Patience: Take time to understand each security feature. Rushing leads to mistakes.
🔐 Why DrugHub Requires These Security Steps
DrugHub's registration process may seem more complex than other marketplaces. This complexity exists to protect you. Understanding why each requirement exists helps you appreciate the security model:
Mandatory PGP Authentication
PGP login authentication is non-negotiable on DrugHub for several critical reasons:
- Phishing Protection: Even if you accidentally visit a fake DrugHub site and enter your username/password, the attacker cannot complete the PGP challenge without your private key. Your account remains secure.
- Credential Stuffing Defense: If your password is compromised elsewhere, attackers still cannot access your DrugHub account without your PGP key.
- Proof of Identity: Your PGP key becomes your cryptographic identity on the marketplace, enabling secure communication with vendors and verification of admin messages.
- Database Breach Protection: DrugHub stores only your public key. Even if the database is compromised, attackers cannot login to your account.
4096-bit Key Requirement
DrugHub specifically requires 4096-bit RSA keys rather than the common 2048-bit standard:
- Long-term Security: 4096-bit keys are expected to remain secure against cryptographic attacks through at least 2030 and beyond.
- Future-Proofing: As computing power increases, weaker keys become vulnerable. 4096-bit provides substantial security margin.
- Standardization: Requiring a single key size simplifies verification and reduces potential attack vectors from weaker keys.
PIN Code Separation
Your PIN code is separate from your password and serves a different purpose:
- Transaction Authorization: Even if someone compromises your login, they cannot withdraw funds or make changes without your PIN.
- Defense in Depth: Multiple authentication factors mean multiple barriers for attackers.
- Action Logging: PIN-protected actions create an additional verification layer in security logs.
🛡️ Post-Registration Security Best Practices
Secure Your Recovery Information
After registration, you have several pieces of critical information that need protection:
Password Manager Setup
Use an offline password manager like KeePassXC to store:
- DrugHub username
- Account password
- PIN code
- PGP key passphrase
- 2FA backup codes
- Verified .onion URL
Keep the password database on encrypted storage, never in cloud services.
PGP Key Backup Strategy
Your PGP private key requires special backup procedures:
- Export private key to encrypted USB drive
- Create paper backup of key passphrase (stored separately from digital key)
- Consider creating multiple backups in different physical locations
- Test restoring from backup before relying on it
Regular Security Maintenance
Maintain your account security with these ongoing practices:
- Periodic Password Changes: Consider changing your password every 6-12 months
- Review Active Sessions: Check for unauthorized logins in your account settings
- Update 2FA App: Keep your authenticator app updated and backed up
- Verify Market Identity: Before major transactions, verify you're on the real DrugHub using multiple sources
Warning Signs of Compromise:
- Unexpected login notifications
- Balance changes you didn't make
- Messages you didn't send
- Settings modifications you didn't authorize
- Failed PGP challenges (could indicate key compromise)
If you notice any of these, immediately secure your account and contact DrugHub support.
🏗️ DrugHub's Security Architecture
How Your Registration Data is Protected
Understanding how DrugHub protects your information helps you make informed security decisions:
- Public Key Storage: DrugHub stores only your public PGP key, which is designed to be shared. Your private key never touches DrugHub's servers.
- Password Hashing: Your password is hashed using modern algorithms before storage. Even DrugHub admins cannot see your actual password.
- PIN Encryption: Your PIN is encrypted and only used during specific transaction authorization processes.
- Zero-Knowledge Design: DrugHub is designed to know as little about you as possible while still providing marketplace functionality.
Multi-Layer Authentication Flow
When you login to DrugHub, multiple security layers are verified:
- Layer 1 - Credentials: Username and password verified against stored hash
- Layer 2 - PGP Challenge: Random string encrypted with your public key; you must decrypt to prove private key possession
- Layer 3 - 2FA (if enabled): Time-based one-time password from your authenticator app
- Layer 4 - Session Token: Cryptographically secure session established for your browser
This multi-layer approach means an attacker would need to compromise multiple independent factors to access your account - a significantly harder task than bypassing a single password.
✅ New User Onboarding Checklist
After completing registration, work through this checklist to ensure you're fully prepared for using DrugHub Market:
Week 1: Foundation
- ☐ Successfully login using PGP authentication 3+ times
- ☐ Enable and test 2FA authentication
- ☐ Store all credentials in password manager
- ☐ Backup PGP private key to secure offline storage
- ☐ Verify you can restore from PGP backup
- ☐ Read the PGP Encryption Guide completely
Week 2: Financial Setup
- ☐ Read the Monero Guide
- ☐ Setup a Monero wallet (GUI wallet or Feather)
- ☐ Backup your 25-word Monero seed phrase
- ☐ Acquire a small amount of XMR for testing
- ☐ Make a test deposit to DrugHub (minimum amount)
- ☐ Verify deposit appears in your account
Week 3: Understanding the System
- ☐ Read the Escrow System Guide
- ☐ Understand order lifecycle and finalization
- ☐ Learn dispute process (before you need it)
- ☐ Practice encrypting messages with vendor public keys
- ☐ Browse vendor profiles and understand reputation system
Before First Order
- ☐ Read the Safety Tips Guide
- ☐ Verify vendor reputation thoroughly
- ☐ Prepare encrypted shipping address
- ☐ Understand auto-finalize timeline
- ☐ Know how to open a dispute if needed
❓ Extended Registration FAQ
Q: Can I register multiple accounts?
A: DrugHub's terms prohibit multiple accounts per user. Each account requires a unique PGP key, and multiple accounts can trigger security flags. If you need a fresh start, contact support about proper account migration.
Q: What happens if I forget my PIN?
A: Your PIN cannot be recovered or reset by DrugHub support. This is a security feature - it prevents social engineering attacks. Store your PIN securely immediately after registration.
Q: Can I change my username after registration?
A: No, usernames are permanent. Your username becomes part of your identity on the marketplace, affecting your reputation and transaction history. Choose carefully during registration.
Q: Why can't I use my existing PGP key from other services?
A: You can, but we strongly recommend creating a dedicated key for DrugHub. Using the same key across services creates linkability - if your identity is compromised on one service, all linked services are affected.
Q: Is registration available 24/7?
A: Generally yes, but DrugHub may temporarily disable registration during DDoS attacks, maintenance, or high traffic periods. If registration is unavailable, try again later and check Dread for status updates.
Q: How long does account verification take?
A: DrugHub accounts are instant - there's no manual verification. Once you successfully complete registration and your first PGP login, your account is fully active for buying. Vendor accounts have additional verification requirements.
Q: What email do I use for registration?
A: DrugHub does not require or use email addresses. This is intentional - email is a common point of identity leakage. All account communication happens through the market's internal messaging system.