Tag: security

The Dark Web: Myths, Realities, and How It’s Shaping the Future of Cybersecurity

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“They say the darkest places reveal the brightest truths. But in my world, darkness is the truth.” – The Cyber Ghost

When most people hear “Dark Web,” they imagine digital alleyways lit by flickering neon – anonymous figures dealing in forbidden secrets, a place of lawlessness and decay. Hollywood and sensationalist news outlets have painted it as a shadow realm ruled by cybercriminals, hackers, and anarchists. But beyond the hype, the Dark Web is much more complex – and understanding it is crucial to navigating the future of cybersecurity.

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Security Sold Out: When Management Fails, Resistance Begins

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Let’s make one thing clear:
You can’t patch stupidity. And you can’t firewall greed.

Cybersecurity today isn’t just broken – it’s being actively sabotaged by the very people who were supposed to defend it. No, not the frontline engineers. Not the analysts burning their eyes out over logs at 3 a.m. Not the blue team warriors who fight with duct tape, scripts, and coffee.

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Enhancing Linux Desktop Security with UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall)

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Linux is known for its robust security architecture, but like any operating system, it is not invulnerable to threats. While desktop users may not face the same risks as server administrators, a properly configured firewall is still essential. One of the simplest yet powerful tools to enhance your Linux desktop security posture is UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall).

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The Art of Operational Security: How to Stay Invisible in a Connected World

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In a world where every action, every communication, and every step online leaves a trace, the art of operational security (OpSec) becomes not just important – it becomes survival. In a connected digital landscape, where anonymity is increasingly hard to come by, mastering OpSec isn’t just about avoiding danger; it’s about staying invisible. It’s about making sure that you leave no footprints behind, whether you’re traversing the deep web or simply logging into your bank account.

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The Importance of Using a Client-Side Firewall on Linux: A Comparison of iptables and UFW

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Linux-based systems are widely known for their security and flexibility, but no system is immune to cyber threats. A client-side firewall plays a crucial role in enhancing security by controlling inbound and outbound network traffic. While Linux offers various firewall solutions, iptables and UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) are two of the most commonly used.

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Why Everyone Should Use a Secure and Trustworthy VPN Connection

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In today’s digital age, where cyber threats are increasing in complexity and frequency, protecting one’s online privacy and security has become a necessity. Whether browsing the internet from a home network, a public Wi-Fi hotspot, or a corporate environment, using a secure and trustworthy Virtual Private Network (VPN) is critical. A VPN ensures that users can maintain confidentiality, protect their data from cyber criminals, and access the internet securely.

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How to Locate the Dashboard in OWASP Juice Shop

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The OWASP Juice Shop is a widely used platform in cyber security education and penetration testing, simulating a vulnerable web application where users can practice identifying and mitigating security flaws in a controlled environment. One core challenge in Juice Shop is finding hidden functionality, such as the admin dashboard, which often includes sensitive operations and insights into an application’s internal workings. This guide will walk you through finding the Juice Shop dashboard, highlighting techniques that improve your penetration testing skills in real-world scenarios.

Note: This article is intended for educational and authorized penetration testing purposes only. Always obtain explicit permission before testing any live system.

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Why Do Attackers Prefer Social Engineering Over Brute-Forcing?

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Imagine a would-be intruder outside a locked door. They could try every key in existence, hoping one fits (the brute force method), or simply knock and claim they’re a friend, tricking someone into letting them in (social engineering). Most attackers prefer the latter for good reason. Brute-forcing is time-consuming, suspicious, and often ineffective, while social engineering is like slipping a skeleton key into human trust. Why social engineering is the favored strategy?

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Using John the Ripper to Find Weak Passwords in Linux Systems (Penetration Testing)

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Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for educational and cyber security purposes, intended to help cyber security professionals and learners understand how passwords can be exposed and how to prevent such vulnerabilities. Unauthorized access to computer systems is illegal and unethical. Always obtain proper authorization before conducting penetration testing on any network or system.

In penetration testing, understanding potential vulnerabilities within Linux-based systems is essential for both offensive and defensive strategies. Linux systems store user account information in two files: the /etc/passwd file and the /etc/shadow file. Together, these files contain details that can help penetration testers uncover weak password policies and determine how secure a system’s authentication process is.

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OSINT for Social Media Investigations: Gathering Information about Individuals

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Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) has become an essential technique in cyber security, investigation, and research due to its non-invasive, publicly accessible nature. Social media platforms, with their wealth of publicly available information, are prime OSINT resources for understanding a person’s online footprint, behavior, interests, and connections.

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How to Set Up and Host a Chat on the Dark Web

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Setting up a PHP-based chat application like Le Chat on a Linux virtual machine (VM) with MySQL and Apache, specifically configured to run over the Tor network, involves several steps. Even if you don’t want to run an entire .onion empire, it is good to know the basic rules of such systems, how to set it up and what are the limits of Tor’s privacy. After some research in the topic I found dozens of very different chats on the Onion network that run Le Chat, some are very friendly and legal, the other are dark and hostile. Let’s take a look at how can you host your own instance from the comfort of your chair!

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Why Business Owners Need Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

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In today’s increasingly digital world, cyber security has become an essential component of business operations. Many business owners and stakeholders may assume that cyber threats only affect large corporations or high-profile companies. However, small and medium-sized businesses are often even more vulnerable, as cyber criminals know they may lack robust security measures. Implementing strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) is a straightforward yet crucial step that can help protect business assets and maintain trust with clients and partners. Here’s why these practices should be a priority for every business owner.

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Penetration Testing Linux Servers with Hydra for SSH Login

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Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for educational and authorized penetration testing purposes. Unauthorized access to systems is illegal and punishable by law. Always have explicit permission before attempting any form of testing on a system.

Linux servers are a backbone of today’s internet infrastructure, supporting critical operations for countless organizations. While Linux is known for its robust security features, misconfigurations and weak credentials can still leave servers vulnerable to unauthorized access. Hydra, a powerful network login cracker, is commonly used by penetration testers to assess the strength of SSH login credentials on Linux servers.

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