Greetings to our readers. Our team conducted an interview with the Ralts owner and administrator of the Polish community Cebulka. Previously, we had written about this community. We selected the most interesting questions for the owner, and we are grateful that he took the time to answer them for us.
To understand my motivations for participating in the Cebulka project, it is essential to consider the context of the Polish darknet landscape in 2013 and the subsequent events from 2016.
The Polish darknet scene experienced significant changes following the closure of the largest forum - Polish Board & Market, in June 2013.
Porygon, now inactive/retired administrator, created the Cebulka forum as a successor to PBM, among others.
At that time, the ToRepublic forum has been choosen as a leading platform until its shutdown in 2015 due to the arrest of its administrators. Poland is a fairly corrupt country ruled by secret services and under significant influence from foreign intelligence, which has also impacted the darknet community.
In 2015, the Hydra forum attempted to fill the void left by ToRepublic but was widely perceived as a honeypot due to its connections with law enforcement and questionable practices.
In response to the need for a safer alternative, the Cebulka forum has been renewed in 2016, and I joined as a moderator shortly thereafter.
“My decision to administer the Cebulka forum stemmed from a desire to help rebuild the darknet community and restore the Polish scene to its former prominence”
Cebulka stands out in the Polish darknet scene due to its commitment to high standards of security and user anonymity. Key features include:
- Anonymity preservation: Cebulka enforces access through a .onion address, ensuring user anonymity with battle-tested Tor network, especially in an environment where VPN services give false sense of security and compromise privacy.
- PGP authentication: We utilize PGP authentication, which enhances security beyond standard password-based authentication, mitigating risks associated with brute force and phishing attacks. No user passwords which sometimes can be too unique and therefore trackable.
- End-to-End encryption: All private messages are encrypted using PGP, minimizing the risk of sensitive data exposure and ensuring secure communication.
- Cebulka Escrow system: Our walletless automatic escrow system, based on Monero cryptocurrency, eliminates account balances and enhances transaction anonymity, providing a seamless experience for customers and vendors.
- Simplistic design: CebulkaBB engine is an actively developed fork based on well-audited PunBB and requires no use of Javascript.
Additionally, Cebulka is committed to harm reduction through various drug testing initiatives. We employ our own testers to conduct random and on-demand product tests in secrecy, ensuring the integrity of the marketplace.
Our testers are also audited to eliminate any possibility of manipulation.
We currently cooperate with Kykeon Labs, as they give much more professional reports than Energy Control (and also use CannaLabs for cannabinoids, heavy metals, pesticides in cannabis products).
We cover the costs of these tests to maintain transparency and reliability. Vendors can also have their selected product tested for a fee and receive a reliable report from our official tester.
Recently, we have introduced comparative testing for substances, that is, testing of a selected substance from all available offers.
“Cebulka is more than just a marketplace or forum; it is a hybrid platform that offers both valuable knowledge and a space for anonymous trade”
Our primary focus is on security and privacy.
We prioritize the safety of our users over profit, distinguishing ourselves from profit-driven global markets that centralize the darknet.
This commitment has allowed us to maintain our presence for many years, and we intend to continue operating with integrity and without concern.
For me, administering the Cebulka forum is both a passion and a lifelong goal.
This role involves ongoing challenges that require continuous self-improvement.
I would not recommend managing such a project to inexperienced individuals, as safely operating a targeted Onion Service requires implementing many custom solutions.
In the past, we have faced various challenges from competitors.
Ongoing threats include, but are not limited to, attempts at de-anonymization, disinformation campaigns, phishing attempts, penetration tests, and attacks on our infrastructure.
1. Contributing to a strong, independent darknet community.
2. Protecting the community against threats.
3. Development and economic expansion.
This is a topic for at least one book.
Many of such historical cases you can read in "The History of Polish Tor" topic on Cebulka.
“As an entity focused on facilitating a secure and anonymous environment, I do not experience emotions such as fear.”
I would like to express my gratitude for your continued support and engagement.
Together, we are building a strong and independent darknet community that prioritizes security, privacy, and the well-being of all its members.
Your participation is vital to our mission, and I encourage open communication as we strive to enhance our platform and services.
You can also visit Cebulka at
Comments 0