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Linux Process Loading Fundamentals: Complete Guide Linux Process Loading Fundamentals: Complete Guide Understanding Linux Processes A process is a running program instance with its own memory and resources. Examples include: Web browsers Text editors Terminal commands Key Process Attributes Execution state (running/waiting/stopped) CPU priority level Parent-child relationships Virtual memory allocation Process Life Cycle Creation: fork() system call Loading: exec() system call Execution: CPU time allocation Termination: Exit status handling Loading Mechanics Permission verification File type detection (ELF binary vs script) Memory space initialization Memory Management Virtual Memory: Isolate...

Understanding Binary Files and ELF Format in Linux Introduction Binary files and executable formats are essential components in programming and system architecture. This guide explains binary files with focus on the Executable and Linkable Format (ELF) used in Linux systems. What Are Binary Files? Binary files store data in non-text format using 0s and 1s. Common examples include: Executable files (Windows: EXE, Linux: ELF) Image files (PNG, JPEG) Archive files (ZIP, TAR) Key Benefits Compact storage format Faster program execution Better security through encryption Understanding ELF Format ELF Structure Components ELF Header: Identifies file type and architecture Program Header Table: Guides memory allocation Section Header Table: Organizes code and data An...

Unmasking the Dark Web: The Illusion of Hitman-for-Hire Services Unmasking the Dark Web: The Illusion of Hitman-for-Hire Services In the shadowy corners of the internet, known as the dark web, certain websites claim to offer hitman-for-hire services. These platforms promise to execute violent acts in exchange for payment, often in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. However, recent investigations have revealed that many of these sites are elaborate scams designed to defraud individuals seeking such illegal services. The Deceptive World of Online Hitman Services One notable case involves a website that purported to offer assassination services. This site collected substantial sums from individuals aiming to harm others, but no actual crimes were carried out. Instead, the operators pocketed the money, leaving both the intended victims unharmed and the clients defrauded. Case Study: The "Kill List" Scam In a detailed investig...

Recent Cyber Attack on Costa Rica's Government YouTube Account Cyber Attack on Costa Rica's Government YouTube Account On March 21, 2025, Costa Rica's official YouTube account was compromised by cyber attackers. The hackers replaced the government's profile picture with a logo displaying the word "Estrategia" alongside a Bitcoin symbol. Additionally, the latest videos uploaded contained content related to cryptocurrency, which was not authorized by the Costa Rican government. Details of the Attack The unauthorized changes included: Modification of the profile image to feature "Estrategia" and a Bitcoin symbol. Upload of videos discussing cryptocurrency topics. The Costa Rican presidency promptly issued a statement clarifying that any content shared on their YouTube account that day was not from official sources. Implications This incident highlights several critica...

"Hi, This Is IT Support": The Vishing Attack That Fooled 23 Tech Company Employees Just this week, cybersecurity researchers revealed details of a sophisticated "vishing" (voice phishing) attack that targeted remote workers at TechGrowth, a mid-sized software company. The attack led to a data breach affecting thousands of customers and shows how hackers are adapting their techniques to exploit our new work-from-home reality. What is Vishing? Vishing (voice phishing) is when attackers use phone calls instead of emails to trick people into giving away sensitive information or installing malware. These attacks have increased by 128% since the shift to remote work began. The Attack: Step by Step The attack against TechGrowth employees happened on March 17-18, 2025, and was carefully planned to take advantage of remote work situations. Here's exactly how it unfolded: 1 Res...

Lightbulb Hack: How Your Lights Stole Internet Access Lightbulb Hack: How Your Lights Stole Internet Access 🔦 Security Emergency: Hackers converted popular "color-changing bulbs" into WiFi spies from October 4-6, 2023! The Bright Idea That Backfired Modern smart bulbs connect to home WiFi like phones. Security researchers found: Bulbs remembered old WiFi passwords Hackers could "blink" lights to transmit data Stole 12,000+ passwords in 3 days How It Worked Imagine your nightlight secretly writing down every house key you use. The hacked bulbs: Recorded WiFi network details Used light patterns to send data Stored info in fake "sunrise settings" 4 Bulb Safety Steps Reset Old Bulbs: Hold switch for 10 seconds until they blink Create IoT Network: Sepa...

Recent Cyber Attack: Costa Rican Government's YouTube Account Compromised Recent Cyber Attack: Costa Rican Government's YouTube Account Compromised In a recent cyber incident, the official YouTube account of the Costa Rican government was compromised. This breach highlights the growing threats in the digital landscape. What Happened? On March 21, 2025, unauthorized individuals gained control of the Costa Rican government's YouTube account. The profile displayed a logo with the word "Strategy" followed by a Bitcoin symbol. The latest videos uploaded contained information related to cryptocurrency, which were not authorized by the government. Government's Response The Costa Rican presidency acknowledged the breach and stated that any content shared on that day did not originate from them. They are actively working to regain control of the account. Lessons Learned Strengthen Account Security...

When Hackers Hold Lives at Risk: The MedCare Hospital Ransomware Attack Just last week, a ransomware attack crippled MedCare Hospital's computer systems, forcing doctors to cancel surgeries and use paper charts for three days. This attack shows how hackers are now targeting hospitals and putting patient lives at risk. Let's look at exactly how this ransomware attack happened and what we can learn from it. What is Ransomware? Ransomware is a type of harmful software (malware) that locks up computer files using strong encryption. Hackers then demand money (usually in Bitcoin) to unlock the files. If the victim doesn't pay, they might lose their files forever. How MedCare Hospital Was Attacked MedCare Hospital is a 500-bed facility that serves thousands of patients every day. On March 19, 2025, hospital staff arrived to find they couldn't access patient records, medication systems, or appointment s...

TikTok Filter Flaw: How Hackers Stole Accounts TikTok Filter Flaw: How Hackers Stole Accounts ⚠️ Security Alert: A dangerous TikTok filter flaw let hackers copy user accounts between October 1-3, 2023! The Sneaky Hack Explained Hackers created fake "animated face" filters that worked like magic mirrors. When users tried these filters: They secretly recorded login details Copied profile information Sent spam from hacked accounts How It Worked Imagine giving a stranger your house keys to "test a new keychain." That's what happened digitally! The filters asked for extra permissions most users didn't notice. 3 Easy Protection Steps Update TikTok: Version 32.8.3 fixes this flaw Check Filter Permissions: Never allow "full account access" Use 2FA: Add phone number verif...

Hospital Cyber Attack: Protect Patient Data Now Hospital Cyber Attack: Protect Patient Data Now 🚨 Breaking News: A children's hospital network was hit by ransomware on September 28, 2023. Hackers locked doctors out of patient records! What is Ransomware? Imagine someone puts a giant digital lock on your school computer. You can't open it unless you pay them money. That's ransomware! How the Attack Happened Hackers sent fake "patient lab results" emails to nurses One click gave access to the entire hospital network Encrypted 500+ computers in 2 hours 3 Simple Protection Steps Stop Clicking Links: Verify email attachments with senders first Backup Daily: Keep copies of important files offline Update Software: Install security patches every Thursday Why This Mat...

Exposed API Keys: How Hackers Broke Into GameVerse's Player Accounts In a shocking security breach discovered just days ago, hackers gained access to thousands of player accounts on GameVerse, one of the world's largest online gaming platforms. Unlike typical password hacks, these attackers used something called "API keys" that developers accidentally left visible in the game's code. This case shows us how even small mistakes can lead to big security problems. What Happened to GameVerse? On March 20, 2025, GameVerse announced that hackers had broken into their systems and accessed approximately 50,000 player accounts. The hackers didn't steal passwords or break through the login page. Instead, they found API keys that were accidentally left visible in the game's source code. The attack affected players of "Space Explorers," GameVerse's most popular game with over 10 million players wor...

Massive Cyber-Attack Disrupts X Platform Massive Cyber-Attack Disrupts X Platform On March 10, 2025, X, formerly known as Twitter, experienced significant outages due to a massive cyber-attack. Users worldwide reported difficulties accessing the platform, with issues peaking in the early morning and midday. Details of the Attack Elon Musk, owner of X, stated that the attack originated from the "Ukraine area," suggesting involvement of a well-coordinated group or nation-state. However, these claims remain unverified, and cybersecurity experts caution against jumping to conclusions without concrete evidence. Impact on Users The attack caused widespread disruptions: Over 40,000 users reported issues accessing X. The majority of problems were related to the mobile app (56%) and the website (33%). Users experienced delays in loading posts and accessing features. Response and Recovery X's technical team worked diligently ...

Microsoft Exchange Zero-Day Alert: Protect Your Email Now Microsoft Exchange Zero-Day Alert: Protect Your Email Now ⚠️ Urgent Security Notice: A new "zero-day" vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server lets hackers read private emails! What Happened? On September 25, 2023, cybersecurity experts discovered a secret doorway in Microsoft Exchange email servers (used by schools, businesses, and governments). Hackers could: Read private emails without permission Send fake messages from real accounts Steal login credentials How the Exploit Works Imagine your school locker has a secret combination only you know. Now imagine someone found a way to open any locker using just a paperclip. That's what happened with Microsoft's email system. Who is Affected? Businesses using older Exchange Server versions Schools with .edu e...

Recent Cybersecurity Incident: NYU Website Breach Recent Cybersecurity Incident: NYU Website Breach Date: March 22, 2025 Incident Overview: On March 22, 2025, the website of New York University (NYU) was compromised by a hacker identified as "@bestn-gy". The attacker replaced the university's homepage with what appeared to be student test scores and a racial epithet. The defaced page displayed a black background with green text, showcasing SAT and ACT scores, as well as GPAs categorized by race. This unauthorized content remained visible for approximately two hours before the website was restored at 12:54 p.m. [Source: New York Post ] Attacker's Motive: The hacker claimed that the breach aimed to expose NYU's alleged continuation of racial affirmative action in admissions, despite its prohibition in 2023. Downloadable files containing the purported hacked data were also made available on the compromised si...

Path Traversal Attack Takes Down Major Educational Platform Earlier this week, a major educational platform used by millions of students worldwide experienced a serious security breach. Hackers used a simple but effective path traversal attack to access private student data. This incident highlights the importance of basic web security measures even for large organizations. What Happened? On March 20, 2025, security researchers discovered that hackers had exploited a path traversal vulnerability in EduLearn's web application. The attackers were able to access files outside the intended web directories, including student personal information and test scores. The attack was surprisingly simple: hackers modified URL parameters to navigate outside the permitted directory using "../" sequences (known as "dot-dot-slash" in security circles). What is Path Traversal? Path traversal (also called di...

Understanding Reverse Engineering in Software Development Understanding Reverse Engineering in Software Development Introduction to Reverse Engineering In the modern landscape of software development, understanding reverse engineering has become a crucial skill. This process not only helps developers recover lost information from executable programs but also allows for a deeper understanding of how software works. This guide will go into the core concepts, methodologies, tools, and challenges associated with reverse engineering. What is Reverse Engineering? Reverse engineering is the process of deconstructing software (or hardware) to reveal its design, architecture, and code. It contrasts with forward engineering, which is the direct process of creating a software application from design to code and deployment. The primary goal of reverse engineering is to understand the existing software, retrieve lost information, or impro...

Exploiting Path Traversal Vulnerabilities: A Step-by-Step Guide Exploiting Path Traversal Vulnerabilities: A Step-by-Step Guide Introduction Path traversal is a common web vulnerability that allows attackers to access files outside the intended directory. In this guide, we'll explore how to exploit and prevent this vulnerability using a real-world example. The Challenge The challenge involves a Flask-based web server that serves files from the /challenge/files directory. The server is vulnerable to path traversal due to improper handling of user input in the URL path. Server Code #!/opt/pwn.college/python import flask import os app = flask.Flask(__name__) @app.route("/files", methods=["GET"]) @app.route("/files/ ", methods=["GET"]) def challenge(path="index.html"): requested_path = app.root_path + "/files/" + path ...

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