SECURITY ADVISORY: Always verify the Dark Matter PGP fingerprint through multiple trusted sources before importing the key.
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Official Dark Matter Market PGP Key
This is the official PGP public key for Dark Matter Market. Use this key to verify the authenticity of messages, announcements, and signed content from marketplace administrators. Always verify the key fingerprint before trusting communications.
Important: After importing this key, verify its fingerprint matches exactly: 6ACA F98B 937A 761D 1F50 8FEA EE82 33DC 5704 6346. Never trust communications signed with a different key, even if they claim to be from Dark Matter Market.
PGP Key Import Guide
Follow these step-by-step instructions to import the Dark Matter Market PGP key into your preferred encryption software. Properly importing and verifying this key is essential for secure communications and authentication.
Click on the OpenPGP Applet in the notification area
Select Decrypt/Verify Clipboard
A window will appear showing the verification results
Ensure the signature is valid and was made with the Dark Matter Market key
How to Verify Messages & Announcements
After importing the Dark Matter Market PGP key, you can verify the authenticity of marketplace communications. This process ensures that messages and announcements genuinely come from Dark Matter administrators and haven't been tampered with.
Understand PGP-Signed Messages
A properly signed message from Dark Matter Market will include:
The message content
A PGP signature block beginning with -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- and ending with -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
This signature block contains a cryptographic signature created with Dark Matter's private key, which can be verified using the public key you've imported.
When to Verify Signatures
Always verify PGP signatures for:
Marketplace announcements and updates
Messages containing URLs or onion links
Communications requesting actions or information from you
Messages containing payment addresses
Any critical security information
Never trust unsigned messages claiming to be from marketplace administrators. Phishing attempts often mimic official communications without proper signatures.
Critical Verification Points
When verifying a signature, pay careful attention to these critical details:
Signature Validity: Your PGP software should confirm the signature is mathematically valid
Key Fingerprint: Verify the signing key matches Dark Matter's fingerprint: 6ACA F98B 937A 761D 1F50 8FEA EE82 33DC 5704 6346
User ID: Confirm the key's user ID is "Dark Matter Market <[email protected]>"
Signature Date: Check that the signature was created at a reasonable time (not before the market existed)
A failure in any of these points could indicate a fraudulent message, even if the signature appears valid at first glance.
Common Verification Errors
If you encounter problems during verification, check these common issues:
Key not found: You haven't imported Dark Matter's public key
Bad signature: The message has been altered after signing
Signature made with unknown key: The message was signed with a different key than the one you've imported
Expired signature: The signature or key has expired (Dark Matter's current key is valid until September 2027)
If you receive any verification errors, do not trust the message content until you resolve the issue. When in doubt, visit Dark Matter Market through a verified link and check official announcements.
PGP Security Best Practices
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Verify Multiple Sources
Always verify the Dark Matter PGP fingerprint through multiple independent sources:
This official website (darkmatterlink.net)
The Dark Matter Market onion site
Trusted directory listings
Community resources like Dread
Cross-verification ensures you haven't accessed a single compromised source.
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Manage Trust Settings
Configure appropriate trust levels for the Dark Matter key:
Only mark the key as "fully trusted" after thorough verification
Consider setting an expiration reminder in your calendar
Regularly check for key revocations or updates
Remove outdated or compromised keys immediately
Proper trust management prevents reliance on deprecated keys.
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Secure Communications
When communicating with Dark Matter administrators:
Always encrypt sensitive messages with their public key
Sign your messages with your own private key
Verify signatures on all responses
Never share private keys or passwords via any messaging system
End-to-end encryption ensures only the intended recipient can read your message.
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Phishing Awareness
Protect yourself from sophisticated phishing attempts:
Always verify PGP signatures before following links
Be suspicious of urgent requests or unusual communications
Check for subtle misspellings in onion addresses
Never enter credentials on sites without verifying their authenticity
PGP verification is your strongest defense against phishing attacks.
Important Security Note: PGP encryption is only as secure as your private key management. Always keep your private keys on secured, offline storage when possible, protected with strong passphrases. Never share private keys or enter your passphrase on suspicious websites.