#encryption for beginners

[codeonedigest]

Kubernetes Secrets Tutorial for Devops Beginners and Students  

Full Video Link https://youtube.com/shorts/VXQSE4ftbtc Hi, a new #video on #kubernetes #secrets is published on #codeonedigest #youtube channel. Learn #kubernetessecrets #node #docker #container #cloud #aws #azure #programming #coding

In Kubernetes, Secret is an object that contains a small amount of sensitive data such as a password, a token, or a key. Using a Secret means that you don’t need to include confidential data in your application code. As the Secrets are created independently of the Pods that uses them, there is less risk of the Secret being exposed during the workflow of creating, viewing, and editing…

[coinbasetradingguide]

How to Make Money on Coinbase: A Simple Guide

Coinbase is a leading platform for buying, selling, and managing cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. With millions of users worldwide, it’s a trusted choice for both beginners and experienced traders. Here’s how you can make money using Coinbase.

Why Use Coinbase?

Coinbase offers:

User-friendly interface: Ideal for newcomers.

Top-notch security: Advanced encryption and offline storage keep your assets safe.

Diverse earning methods: From trading to staking, there are plenty of ways to earn.

Ready to get started? Sign up on Coinbase now and explore all the earning opportunities.

Setting Up Your Coinbase Account

Sign up on Coinbase’s website and provide your details.

Verify your email by clicking the link sent to you.

Complete identity verification by uploading a valid ID.

Navigate the dashboard to track your portfolio, view live prices, and access the "Earn" section.

Ways to Make Money on Coinbase

1. Buying and Selling Cryptocurrencies

Start by buying popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum at a lower price and selling them when the price goes up. It’s the basic strategy for making profits through trading.

2. Staking for Passive Income

Staking allows you to earn rewards by holding certain cryptocurrencies. Coins like Ethereum and Algorand offer staking options on Coinbase. It’s a straightforward way to earn passive income.

Maximize your earnings—get started with Coinbase today and start staking your crypto.

3. Earning Interest

Coinbase lets you earn interest on some of your crypto holdings. Just hold these assets in your account, and watch your crypto grow over time.

Advanced Trading with Coinbase Pro

For those with more trading experience, Coinbase Pro provides lower fees and advanced trading tools. Learn how to trade efficiently using features like market charts, limit orders, and stop losses to enhance your profits.

Coinbase Earn: Learn and Earn

With Coinbase Earn, you can earn free cryptocurrency by learning about different projects. Watch educational videos and complete quizzes to receive crypto rewards—an easy way to diversify your holdings with no risk.

Coinbase Affiliate Program

Promote Coinbase using their affiliate program. Share your unique referral link (like this one: Earn commissions with Coinbase), and earn a commission when new users sign up and make their first trade. It’s a fantastic opportunity for bloggers, influencers, or anyone with an audience interested in crypto.

Want to boost your income? Join the Coinbase Affiliate Program now and start earning commissions.

Coinbase Referral Program

You can also invite friends to join Coinbase and both of you can earn bonuses when they complete a qualifying purchase. It’s a win-win situation that requires minimal effort.

Conclusion

Coinbase is an excellent platform for making money in the cryptocurrency world, offering various ways to earn through trading, staking, and affiliate marketing. Explore all its features to maximize your earnings.

Ready to dive in? Sign up today and start earning with Coinbase.

[coolreallifes]

How to Choose the Best Broker for Stock, Forex, and Crypto Trading in 2024?

Navigating the world of trading can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to selecting the right broker to meet your trading requirements. Whether you’re interested in stocks, forex, or cryptocurrencies, the choice of broker can significantly impact your trading experience and success. In this post, we’ll explore the key factors to consider when choosing a broker and introduce you to ForexJudge.com, a reliable resource that offers comprehensive reviews and detailed analysis of the world’s best brokers.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Broker

Regulation and Security:

Ensure the broker is regulated by a reputable financial authority. Regulation provides a level of security and oversight, protecting you from fraudulent activities.

Look for brokers that offer robust security measures, including encryption and two-factor authentication, to safeguard your funds and personal information.

Trading Platform:

A good trading platform should be user-friendly, reliable, and equipped with essential tools for analysis and trading.

Consider whether the platform offers mobile compatibility if you plan to trade on-the-go.

Fees and Commissions:

Compare the fees and commissions charged by different brokers. Lower fees can significantly enhance your profitability, especially if you trade frequently.

Be aware of hidden fees, such as withdrawal charges, inactivity fees, or charges for additional services.

Range of Assets:

Ensure the broker offers the range of assets you’re interested in trading. If you plan to diversify your portfolio, choose a broker that provides access to stocks, forex, and cryptocurrencies.

Some brokers specialize in specific asset classes, so make sure your chosen broker aligns with your trading preferences.

Customer Support:

Reliable customer support is crucial, especially if you encounter issues with your account or trading platform. Look for brokers that offer multiple support channels, including live chat, phone, and email.

Check reviews to gauge the quality and responsiveness of the broker’s customer service.

Education and Resources:

Many brokers offer educational resources such as tutorials, webinars, and market analysis. These resources can be invaluable, especially for beginners.

A broker that provides regular market updates and trading insights can help you stay informed and make better trading decisions.

How ForexJudge.com Can Help

With so many brokers available, making an informed choice can be challenging. This is where ForexJudge.com comes in. ForexJudge is a trusted platform that has compiled detailed reviews and analysis of the world’s best brokers. By providing comprehensive information and user feedback, ForexJudge helps traders make well-informed decisions.

Detailed Broker Reviews

ForexJudge offers in-depth reviews of brokers across various asset classes, including stocks, forex, and cryptocurrencies. Each review covers critical aspects such as regulation, fees, trading platforms, and customer support. By reading these reviews, you can gain valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of different brokers, helping you choose the one that best meets your needs.

User Feedback and Ratings

In addition to expert reviews, ForexJudge features user feedback and ratings. This community-driven aspect allows traders to share their experiences and provide honest assessments of brokers. This real-world feedback can offer a clearer picture of what to expect and help you avoid potential pitfalls.

Regular Updates and Alerts

The trading world is dynamic, with brokers frequently updating their services, fees, and policies. ForexJudge keeps you informed with regular updates and alerts, ensuring you have the latest information at your fingertips. This proactive approach helps you stay ahead of the curve and make timely decisions.

Making the Final Decision

When choosing a broker, it’s essential to consider your trading goals, risk tolerance, and preferred asset classes. By leveraging the resources available on ForexJudge, you can make a well-informed decision that aligns with your trading strategy.

Steps to Follow:

Identify Your Needs:

Determine what you want to trade (stocks, forex, crypto) and what features are most important to you (low fees, robust platform, educational resources).

Research and Compare:

Use ForexJudge’s detailed reviews and user feedback to compare different brokers. Pay close attention to factors such as regulation, fees, and customer support.

Test the Platform:

Many brokers offer demo accounts. Use these to test the trading platform and ensure it meets your needs before committing real funds.

Start Small:

When you choose a broker, start with a small investment to test the waters. As you gain confidence and experience, you can increase your trading capital.

Conclusion

Choosing the right broker is a crucial step in your trading journey. By considering factors such as regulation, fees, trading platforms, and customer support, you can make an informed choice that enhances your trading experience.

For a reliable resource in your broker selection process, turn to ForexJudge.com. With its comprehensive reviews, user feedback, and regular updates, ForexJudge provides the insights you need to make the best decision for your trading needs.

Happy trading, and may your investments be fruitful!

[cyberstudious]

Free Resources for Learning Cybersecurity

I created this post for the Studyblr Masterpost Jam, check out the tag for more cool masterposts from folks in the studyblr community!

Free Online Courses

Linux Foundation Cybersecurity Courses - many of their beginner/introductory courses are free

Professor Messer's Security+ Course - a great intro to cybersecurity, gave me the skills to pass my Security+ exam

Khan Academy Cryptography - solid foundations for understanding the math behind encryption

ISC2's new entry level cert & training CC is free, although for a limited time

Linux Journey - learn Linux, the command line, and basic networking

Free CTFs & Ways to Practice

What is a CTF? - HackTheBox isn't a free platform, but this is a good article explaining what a CTF is and how to approach it

OverTheWire Bandit - practice your Linux skills

PicoCTF - this one already ran this year but their website has plenty of resources

Microcorruption - binary exploitation challenges

Hacker101 - web security CTF

Cryptopals Cryptography Challenges

Nightmare - binary exploitation & reverse engineering challenges

Cybersecurity News: follow what's happening in the industry

KrebsOnSecurity - security & cybercrime news, investigative journalism

SANS StormCast - daily 5-minute security news podcast

SANS Internet Storm Center - security blog posts

Cisco Talos blog - security news, threat intelligence & malware investigations

Schneier on Security - security & society

Black Hills Information Security webcasts

Darknet Diaries podcast

Other Free Resources

Trail of Bits's CTF Field Guide

PicoCTF Resources and Practice

SANS Cheat Sheets - all areas of security & tech

OWASP Cheat Sheets - application security & web attacks

LaurieWired's YouTube channel - high-quality videos on low-level tech

LiveOverflow's YouTube channel - binary exploitation

SANS Webinars

Cybersecurity Certifications Roadmap

Cybersecurity Job Supply and Demand Map (for the U.S.)

EFF's Surveillance Self-Defense - guides for how to protect yourself online

Don't Forget the Library!

If you have access to a public or school library, check out their technical books and see what they have to offer. O'Reilly and No Starch Press are my favorite publishers for technical and cybersecurity books, but be on the lookout for study guides for the Security+ and other certifications - these will give you a good introduction to the basics. I wrote more about cybersecurity books in yesterday's masterpost.

[blubberquark]

Why Not Write Cryptography

I learned Python in high school in 2003. This was unusual at the time. We were part of a pilot project, testing new teaching materials. The official syllabus still expected us to use PASCAL. In order to satisfy the requirements, we had to learn PASCAL too, after Python. I don't know if PASCAL is still standard.

Some of the early Python programming lessons focused on cryptography. We didn't really learn anything about cryptography itself then, it was all just toy problems to demonstrate basic programming concepts like loops and recursion. Beginners can easily implement some old, outdated ciphers like Caesar, Vigenère, arbitrary 26-letter substitutions, transpositions, and so on.

The Vigenère cipher will be important. It goes like this: First, in order to work with letters, we assign numbers from 0 to 25 to the 26 letters of the alphabet, so A is 0, B is 1, C is 2 and so on. In the programs we wrote, we had to strip out all punctuation and spaces, write everything in uppercase and use the standard transliteration rules for Ä, Ö, Ü, and ß. That's just the encoding part. Now comes the encryption part. For every letter in the plain text, we add the next letter from the key, modulo 26, round robin style. The key is repeated after we get tot he end. Encrypting "HELLOWORLD" with the key "ABC" yields ["H"+"A", "E"+"B", "L"+"C", "L"+"A", "O"+"B", "W"+"C", "O"+"A", "R"+"B", "L"+"C", "D"+"A"], or "HFNLPYOLND". If this short example didn't click for you, you can look it up on Wikipedia and blame me for explaining it badly.

Then our teacher left in the middle of the school year, and a different one took over. He was unfamiliar with encryption algorithms. He took us through some of the exercises about breaking the Caesar cipher with statistics. Then he proclaimed, based on some back-of-the-envelope calculations, that a Vigenère cipher with a long enough key, with the length unknown to the attacker, is "basically uncrackable". You can't brute-force a 20-letter key, and there are no significant statistical patterns.

I told him this wasn't true. If you re-use a Vigenère key, it's like re-using a one time pad key. At the time I just had read the first chapters of Bruce Schneier's "Applied Cryptography", and some pop history books about cold war spy stuff. I knew about the problem with re-using a one-time pad. A one time pad is the same as if your Vigenère key is as long as the message, so there is no way to make any inferences from one letter of the encrypted message to another letter of the plain text. This is mathematically proven to be completely uncrackable, as long as you use the key only one time, hence the name. Re-use of one-time pads actually happened during the cold war. Spy agencies communicated through number stations and one-time pads, but at some point, the Soviets either killed some of their cryptographers in a purge, or they messed up their book-keeping, and they re-used some of their keys. The Americans could decrypt the messages.

Here is how: If you have message $A$ and message $B$, and you re-use the key $K$, then an attacker can take the encrypted messages $A+K$ and $B+K$, and subtract them. That creates $(A+K) - (B+K) = A - B + K - K = A - B$. If you re-use a one-time pad, the attacker can just filter the key out and calculate the difference between two plaintexts.

My teacher didn't know that. He had done a quick back-of-the-envelope calculation about the time it would take to brute-force a 20 letter key, and the likelihood of accidentally arriving at something that would resemble the distribution of letters in the German language. In his mind, a 20 letter key or longer was impossible to crack. At the time, I wouldn't have known how to calculate that probability.

When I challenged his assertion that it would be "uncrackable", he created two messages that were written in German, and pasted them into the program we had been using in class, with a randomly generated key of undisclosed length. He gave me the encrypted output.

Instead of brute-forcing keys, I decided to apply what I knew about re-using one time pads. I wrote a program that takes some of the most common German words, and added them to sections of $(A-B)$. If a word was equal to a section of $B$, then this would generate a section of $A$. Then I used a large spellchecking dictionary to see if the section of $A$ generated by guessing a section of $B$ contained any valid German words. If yes, it would print the guessed word in $B$, the section of $A$, and the corresponding section of the key. There was only a little bit of key material that was common to multiple results, but that was enough to establish how long they key was. From there, I modified my program so that I could interactively try to guess words and it would decrypt the rest of the text based on my guess. The messages were two articles from the local newspaper.

When I showed the decrypted messages to my teacher the next week, got annoyed, and accused me of cheating. Had I installed a keylogger on his machine? Had I rigged his encryption program to leak key material? Had I exploited the old Python random number generator that isn't really random enough for cryptography (but good enough for games and simulations)?

Then I explained my approach. My teacher insisted that this solution didn't count, because it relied on guessing words. It would never have worked on random numeric data. I was just lucky that the messages were written in a language I speak. I could have cheated by using a search engine to find the newspaper articles on the web.

Now the lesson you should take away from this is not that I am smart and teachers are sore losers.

Lesson one: Everybody can build an encryption scheme or security system that he himself can't defeat. That doesn't mean others can't defeat it. You can also create an secret alphabet to protect your teenage diary from your kid sister. It's not practical to use that as an encryption scheme for banking. Something that works for your diary will in all likelihood be inappropriate for online banking, never mind state secrets. You never know if a teenage diary won't be stolen by a determined thief who thinks it holds the secret to a Bitcoin wallet passphrase, or if someone is re-using his banking password in your online game.

Lesson two: When you build a security system, you often accidentally design around an "intended attack". If you build a lock to be especially pick-proof, a burglar can still kick in the door, or break a window. Or maybe a new variation of the old "slide a piece of paper under the door and push the key through" trick works. Non-security experts are especially susceptible to this. Experts in one domain are often blind to attacks/exploits that make use of a different domain. It's like the physicist who saw a magic show and thought it must be powerful magnets at work, when it was actually invisible ropes.

Lesson three: Sometimes a real world problem is a great toy problem, but the easy and didactic toy solution is a really bad real world solution. Encryption was a fun way to teach programming, not a good way to teach encryption. There are many problems like that, like 3D rendering, Chess AI, and neural networks, where the real-world solution is not just more sophisticated than the toy solution, but a completely different architecture with completely different data structures. My own interactive codebreaking program did not work like modern approaches works either.

Lesson four: Don't roll your own cryptography. Don't even implement a known encryption algorithm. Use a cryptography library. Chances are you are not Bruce Schneier or Dan J Bernstein. It's harder than you thought. Unless you are doing a toy programming project to teach programming, it's not a good idea. If you don't take this advice to heart, a teenager with something to prove, somebody much less knowledgeable but with more time on his hands, might cause you trouble.

[exnori]

Giveaway Exnori

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[warningsine]

All right, since I bombarded a poor mutual yesterday...

Privacy is not security and security is not privacy. These terms are not interchangeable, but they are intrinsically linked.

While we're at this, anonymity =/= security either. For example, Tor provides the former, but not necessarily the latter, hence using Https is always essential.

It is impossible to have privacy without security, but you can have security without privacy.

A case in point is administrators being able to view any data they want due to their full-access rights to a system. That being said, there are ethics and policies that usually prevent such behavior.

Some general tips:

Operating System: Switch to Linux. Ubuntu and Linux Mint are widely used for a reason. Fedora too. And don't worry! You can keep your current operating system, apps and data. If you're on a Mac computer, you can easily partition your hard drive or SSD by using Disk Utility. If you're on Windows, you can follow this guide.

You want to go a step further? Go with Whonix or Tails. They're Linux distributions as well, but they're both aiming for security, not beauty so the interface might not be ideal for everyone. Many political activists and journalists use them.

You want anonymity? Then you need to familiarize yourself with Tor. Also, Tor and HTTPS and Tor’s weaknesses. When you're using it, don't log in to sites like Google, Facebook, Twitter etc. and make sure to stay away from Java and Javascript, because those things make you traceable.

Alternatives for dealing with censorship? i2p and Freenet.

Is ^ too much? Welp. All right. Let's see. The first step is to degoogle.

Switch to a user-friendly browser like Firefox (or better yet LibreWolf), Brave or Vivaldi. There are plenty of hardened browsers, but they can be overwhelming for a beginner.

Get an ad blocker like Ublock Origin.

Search Engine? StartPage or Duckduckgo. SearXNG too. Like I said degoogle.

Get a PGP encrypted e-mail. Check Protonmail out.

There's also Tutamail that doesn't cover PGP, but uses hybrid encryption that avoids some of the cons of PGP.

Skiff mail is also a decent option.

Use an e-mail aliasing service such as SimpleLogin or AnonAddy.

Check OpenPGP out. Claws Mail is a good e-mail client for Windows and Linux, Thunderbird for Mac OS.

Gpg4win is free and easy to use for anyone that wants to encrypt/decrypt e-mails.

Instead of Whatsapp, Facebook messenger, Telegram etc. use Signal for your encrypted insant messaging, voice and video calls.

Get a metadata cleaner.

Get a firewall like Opensnitch, Portmaster or Netguard which can block Internet for trackers.

Alternatively, go with a private DNS that blocks these trackers. NextDNS is a good paid service. Rethink a good free option.

Replace as many of your applications as you can with FOSS (free and open source) ones. Alternativeto can help you.

Always have automatic updates on. They are annoying af, I know, but they are necessary.

Keep your distance from outdated software.

Always have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled.

Do not use your administrator account for casual stuff. If you're on Linux, you probably know you can be sudo, but not root.

On Linux distributions use AppArmor, but stay away from random antivirus scanners. Other distributions default to SELinux, which is less suited to a beginner.

Never repeat your passwords. If you can't remember them all, use a password manager like KeePass.

Encrypt your drive.

Honestly, VPNs have their uses and ProtonVPN, Mullvad and Windscribe are decent, but eh. If you don't trust your ISP, why would you trust the VPN provider that claims they don't log you when you can't verify such a thing?

[motleyfolk]

Web Bookmark List

Cataloguing important, fun or interest websites I’ve come across over the years. Trying to add most of these to internet archive. * = use F11 for best experience.

Last updated: 13/12/23

Internet Safety, Privacy, Rebellion

Frontpage - Tldr of different sites or services terms of service. Has browser addon.

Disroot - Project promoting the ability to communicate on the internet in a decentralized, private and open way. They have a browser, video and voice call apps, temporary upload storage, and more.

De-google-ify Internet - Like the above but cute graphics, french and no vpn.

12ft Ladder - F u paywalls

Info On How To Definitely Avoid Torrenting

Little Sis -  A free database detailing the connections between powerful people and organizations. Who do the wealthiest Americans donate their money to? Where did White House officials work before they were appointed?

Article of Journalist Trying To Completely Cut Amazon From Her Life But Its Literally Not Possible

Internet Archive - Legendary Archive of the Internet

Yesterweb - Community about how the internet has changed, advocating for positive interactions and self expression on the internet.

Stop Using Chrome Help

Wii Gay, U Crimes & Three Gay, New Crimes - If you have a wii, wii u or 3ds click this

Digital Wellbeing - Stuff on adblocks, alt browsers, just not getting tracked

Toffeeshare - Share files free, encrypted, no size limit.

SingleFile - Browser addon, downloads pages/sites at .html

Masterpost on How To Be a Pirate and Where Its Safe To Sail

Good Academic Research Sites

How To Get Music Without Subscriptions, Anyway You Want

Dark Pattern Games - Game review site that tells you about tactics games use, giving lists of bad games that use said tactics, and good ones that don’t.

DIY Feminist Cybersecurity - Simple guide to travesing the internet and tech safely, protecting yourself and your privacy.

Data Hoarding in the Modern Age - Intro guide on data hoarding.

Resources

How To Change Cursor

Itchi.io - Steam for indie games, ttrpgs, books and assets. So much cool (and free) stuff.

blinkie maker - Make your own blinkie

WebZine01 - Zine on making a personal website from scratch for absolute beginners and Another

Old Games Download - What it says on the tin.

Old Web Themes - Like above

Noclip - View and clip through tons of old game maps (like Mario Kart Wii!)

Free Movies, Books, Shows & Audiobooks

Photomosh - Free picture editior

The Spriters Resource - PNG sprites from tons of gaming sources.

Backgrounds with Emma - Tons of repeating backgrounds

EzGIF - My go to gif editor, webp to anything and quick pic cropper/editor.

Internet Archive - My beloved <3 Arching webpages, books, movies, software and making it available to the public. One of the most important websites of the internet.

Catbox - Free image/video sharing resource. Simple and 200mb limit.

Fraidycat - RSS Feed. If you don’t know what that is, it’s where you can congrate things like a specific tumblr users posts, blog posts, a youtuber, a wikipedia page, etc are updated in your own personal curated newsfeed with no ads of clutter. All your internet in one place :)

Smithsonian Open Access - Millions of free images.

Can I Play That? - Guides/reviews for those that need accessibility in games.

Graphics

The Blinkie Hoard - Tons of blinkies 

pixelbank - Graphics

murderscene - Dark pixels

SORAHANA - Japenese artist has tons of cute pixel art for stuff

@pixel-soup - Tons of cute graphics

cinni’s dream home - More cute graphics

Trash Paradise - Cool, mythical graphics

Spirit Cellar’s Horror Zone - Has some horror blinkies and stamps to the side.

Backgrounds with Emma - Tons of repeating backgrounds

Masterlist banners

Pattern Banners

Important

List of Atrocities Commit by the United States Government/Country

Article on Companies That Publicaly Supported Abortion Rights but Funded Anti-Abortion Politicians by The Guardian.

The Anarchist Library - Archive of over 800 pages of Anarchist Literature

Survive Nature - Info on wilderness and urban survival skills

Article on US Courts Sending People to “Rehab Centres” ThatS Actually Chicken Factory Slavery for Fortune 500 Companies

Wiki Page on Unethical Human Experimentation in the United States

Canadian Aboriginal Children Starved in Government Experiments during 1940s

National Security Archive - Archive of declassified US Gov documents and investigative journalism into rising government secrecy. 

Anti Capitalism Facts/Info

[savvydissent]

Introducing SavvyDissent

Friends, it's time (I'm sorry to say) to bring back the chain e-mail, the reply all, and the mass text. Security and safe use of the internet just became critical.

I hope you will (securely) spread it through your social circles in person, or by secured email or text.

We're all in shock from the election, and we're all wishing we could do something. Protests and resistance will increase over the next years. My hope, and my advice, is that we take the threat seriously. You (and I) are not overreacting; they tell us their plans. Trump promised at the beginning of this campaign way back in 2023 to overhaul the federal government into his personal bureaucracy. He specified that will include surveillance departments.

This is real, and it's critical to understand the the US is not immune to fascism and authoritarianism. American exceptionalism is a dangerous lie. With the technology we have now, the rise of fascism will look radically different that our historical imaginations conjure, and the administration will be very different than his 2016-2020 presidency.

The 2016 Trump was chaotic and vague, and even then he left destruction in his wake. Now, the far-right have had years to organize for a second Trump regime.

They have concrete plans they didn't have before. Trump is less coherent now, but he's surrounded by people with purpose and competence that in he didn't have in his first administration. His health is declining fast, and JD Vance is potentially even worse ideologically. The Trump administration will likely involve RFK, Jr. and Elon Musk, both of whom are extremely dangerous.

Audaciously, the richest man in the world has warned us to expect austerity. He's in a position to become Trump's propagandist (and has played the role already.)

The Heritage Foundation, an extreme Chisto-fascist organization, are the architects of this coming regime. Their agenda in Project 2025 should terrify us. One of my only sources of hope is that it seems Trump/MAGA are telling us their plans. That advantage is lost when we don't believe them.

We need to accept some harsh truths, and one of these is that social media is not the place for a resistance movement.

It is not our friend or ally; it is demonstrably dangerous. Learning this is part of the mission inherent in the popular phrase, "Don't obey in advance." Don't hand them your information. The CEOs of the major sites are collaborators--they helped manifest this outcome, and they've already demonstrated their willingness to help quell dissent (your photos are used in face-recognition software to identify protesters) and aid the police in hunting down and arresting abortion patients.

We have to rethink organizing, and we have to do it securely.

I must stress that Trump has included leftists (by which he means even moderate liberals and democrats) in his speech about "the enemy within." Even if we are white, Christian, cisgender, straight, and able-bodied, he has declared us the enemy.

Each of us has a decision to make. We either become publicly dissident--risking personal safety to a degree we can't know--or we wage our opposition in the safest way possible.

Social media? They're cops. If we are going to have any hope of staying safe and organizing, we must accept this truth.

We must assess the risk of posting our affiliations and circulate petitions and direct actions on the public web. Most of us are easily identified where data miners and AI can detect this information. For the most part, that's out there, permanently. When you delete an account, the company retains copies of your data.

I am not a security expert, but I have some beginner tips for safer communication.

● Download an end-to-end encrypted messenger app and stop using SMS texting and social media DMs. I recommend Signal or Discord, but would not trust WhatsApp, as it's owned by Meta.

● Look in to data removal services like DeleteMe or Incogni; these will help your reclaim as much of your data.

● Turn off your phone's location tracking.

● Install a VPN and sign up for a secured email. Proton Mail and storage are good; Gmail and Google Drive are the enemy. A VPN (virtual private network) hides your IP address that would otherwise out your location and other info.

● There are cheap anf free options for VPNs and you can find secure email free.

● Install TOR or other secured browsers. Chrome especially is a security nightmare. Incognito or private browsing on your regular browsers is not a safe option.

● Reject site cookies and use best practices for password security.

● Don't make plans online. Circulate information directly using these secure practices. If you volunteer or join protests or see calls to action on public social media, talk with the organizer to urge a move off social media.

● If you attend a protest, read into Black Bloc tactics for anonymity and health/safety, or at least wear a face-obscuring mask. Police have already used face-matching software to arrest protesters in the US.

● Speaking of masking, follow Covid protocols. Our health system will be gutted soon and any measures to prevent communicable disease are going to be on us. (Vaccines could be banned; the CDC eroded even further.) There are dangerous flu strains as well- please take precautions.

● Disable face recognition or thumbprint logins on your phone. Currently the cops are allowed to use these to access your phone, but they can't force you to give them the PIN or pattern drawing. Be aware that could change.

● If you are trans, discuss privacy concerns with your doctor.

● Along that vein, if you're seeking an autism diagnosis *and your level of support needs can be met without it* rethink having your neurodivergence documented. The fate of disabled folks is precarious, and authoritarian/fascist movements are dangerous for us. I'm not sure if ADHD or other neurotypes are at risk, but there is historical precedence for autistics and other divergent people to be targeted.

● Protect each other: Do not out trans, queer, racialized, or any other vulnerable people in your friends groups. Note that includes any pregnant person--Whether you're excited your best friend is having another baby or your kid sister is late for her period, keep that offline. (For the love of all that's holy delete your period trackers.)

● If you know travel plans for someone to travel or move to a safer blue state, you shut the fuck up about it.

If you have further knowledge about privacy and security, add it when you forward this to friends.

I'm planning for this to become an anonymous zine/newsletter where we can distribute info under-the-radar communications network. To opt in to occasional newsletter posts,

email "add me" to savvydissent@proton.me, visit tumblr.com/savvydissent message via Discord or Telegram @savvydissent

Print & distribute on paper.

Share this with your contacts, and circulate it safely. Please message me to share any direct actions, mutual aid organizing, or any relevant info you want to spread. Please take good care of yourself.

[alya-smith]

Top Features to Consider When Developing Your Own Cryptocurrency Wallet

Cryptocurrency has become very popular in recent years, and as more people start using digital coins, the need for secure and easy-to-use wallets grows. If you’re thinking about creating your own cryptocurrency wallet, it's important to know which features will make your wallet stand out. Here’s a guide to the key features you should include.

1. Strong Security

Security is the most important part of any cryptocurrency wallet. People want to know that their digital money is safe. Here are some security features that your wallet should have:

Biometric Authentication: This means allowing users to log in using their fingerprint or face recognition. It’s fast and adds an extra layer of security.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): With MFA, users need to provide two or more types of identification, like a password and a code sent to their phone. This makes it much harder for hackers to access the wallet.

Encrypted Private Keys: Private keys are like the password to your wallet. Make sure these keys are stored securely and encrypted so only the user can access them.

Backup and Recovery Options: Let users create a backup of their wallet with a recovery phrase. If they lose access to their wallet, this phrase helps them restore it.

2. Easy-to-Use Design

A wallet should be simple to use, even for beginners. Many people are new to cryptocurrency and might get confused by complicated features. Here’s how you can create an easy-to-use wallet:

Simple Dashboard: Make sure your wallet has a main screen that shows all the important information, like the user’s balance and recent transactions.

Easy Navigation: Users should be able to find what they need without having to click around too much.

Customizable Themes: Allow users to choose between light mode and dark mode so they can adjust the look of the wallet to their preference.

3. Support for Different Cryptocurrencies

To attract more users, your wallet should support multiple types of cryptocurrencies. This is important because people often own more than one type of digital coin. Here’s what to consider:

Multi-Currency Support: Include popular coins like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and other major tokens. The more options you support, the more people will use your wallet.

Easy Token Addition: Make it simple for users to add new tokens or coins to their wallet as they come out.

4. Fast and Simple Transactions

The main purpose of a wallet is to send and receive money. Make sure your wallet makes this process easy:

Quick Send/Receive Function: Users should be able to send and receive cryptocurrency with just a few taps. Include features like scanning QR codes to make it even easier.

Transaction History: Include a detailed history so users can track their past transactions. This helps them see where their money went and when.

5. Push Notifications

To keep the users updated, it is advisable to utilize push notifications for them. These can send on alerts such as when a user has received cash funds, when there is a drastic shift in the market, or even when a certain deal is accomplished. Notifications assist the users and thus help in keeping them engaged.

6. Cross-Platform Compatibility

Your wallet should work on multiple devices. Perhaps one individual likes using his phone, and another likes using her computers. Consider these options below;

Mobile App: Make sure that your wallet comes with an application you may download on iOS or Android devices.

Web Accessibility: Provide a web-based option for users who can easily use their wallet on their computer.

Desktop App This is useful for those who would love to have an application on their computer.

7. Exchange Integration

Users would want to be able to trade and swap their cryptocurrencies with the least requirement to hop between applications. Coin swapping is an exchange feature whereby users can swap coins in the wallet without consuming much time, which thereby presents a more seamless experience.

8. Customer Support

If a user has trouble, they need it resolved as quickly as possible. Quick access to customer service via the wallet for a user needs to be provided in a manner that they can easily communicate with this support tool. This should preferably be a chatbot or a help center with FAQs or live support.

9. Extra Features for Power Users

If you want your wallet to attract advanced users, think about adding some extra features:

Portfolio Tracking: Let users see the total value of all their coins in one place.

Price Alerts: Allow users to set alerts for when the price of a specific coin reaches a certain level.

Conclusion

Creating a digital wallet may be a fun task, but it is necessary to include the proper functionality. Concentrating on the security aspect, a simple yet effective design, support for different digital currencies, and rapid transactions, it is possible to develop a wallet which will be dependable and will be liked by many. Other features such as alerts, the possibility to use the wallet on multiple devices, and exchange services can also be added to create a more attractive design.

[ogxfuturetech]

The Comprehensive Guide to Web Development, Data Management, and More 

Introduction 

Everything today is technology driven in this digital world. There's a lot happening behind the scenes when you use your favorite apps, go to websites, and do other things with all of those zeroes and ones — or binary data. In this blog, I will be explaining what all these terminologies really means and other basics of web development, data management etc. We will be discussing them in the simplest way so that this becomes easy to understand for beginners or people who are even remotely interested about technology.  JOIN US

What is Web Development? 

Web development refers to the work and process of developing a website or web application that can run in a web browser. From laying out individual web page designs before we ever start coding, to how the layout will be implemented through HTML/CSS. There are two major fields of web development — front-end and back-end. 

Front-End Development 

Front-end development, also known as client-side development, is the part of web development that deals with what users see and interact with on their screens. It involves using languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create the visual elements of a website, such as buttons, forms, and images. JOIN US

HTML (HyperText Markup Language): 

HTML is the foundation of all website, it helps one to organize their content on web platform. It provides the default style to basic elements such as headings, paragraphs and links. 

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets):  

styles and formats HTML elements. It makes an attractive and user-friendly look of webpage as it controls the colors, fonts, layout. 

JavaScript :  

A language for adding interactivity to a website Users interact with items, like clicking a button to send in a form or viewing images within the slideshow. JOIN US

Back-End Development 

The difference while front-end development is all about what the user sees, back end involves everything that happens behind. The back-end consists of a server, database and application logic that runs on the web. 

Server: 

A server is a computer that holds website files and provides them to the user browser when they request it. Server-Side: These are populated by back-end developers who build and maintain servers using languages like Python, PHP or Ruby. 

Database:  

The place where a website keeps its data, from user details to content and settings The database is maintained with services like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB. JOIN US

Application Logic —  

the code that links front-end and back-end It takes user input, gets data from the database and returns right informations to front-end area. 

Why Proper Data Management is Absolutely Critical 

Data management — Besides web development this is the most important a part of our Digital World. What Is Data Management? It includes practices, policies and procedures that are used to collect store secure data in controlled way. 

Data Storage –  

data after being collected needs to be stored securely such data can be stored in relational databases or cloud storage solutions. The most important aspect here is that the data should never be accessed by an unauthorized source or breached. JOIN US

Data processing:  

Right from storing the data, with Big Data you further move on to process it in order to make sense out of hordes of raw information. This includes cleansing the data (removing errors or redundancies), finding patterns among it, and producing ideas that could be useful for decision-making. 

Data Security:  

Another important part of data management is the security of it. It refers to defending data against unauthorized access, breaches or other potential vulnerabilities. You can do this with some basic security methods, mostly encryption and access controls as well as regular auditing of your systems. 

Other Critical Tech Landmarks 

There are a lot of disciplines in the tech world that go beyond web development and data management. Here are a few of them: 

Cloud Computing 

Leading by example, AWS had established cloud computing as the on-demand delivery of IT resources and applications via web services/Internet over a decade considering all layers to make it easy from servers up to top most layer. This will enable organizations to consume technology resources in the form of pay-as-you-go model without having to purchase, own and feed that infrastructure. JOIN US

Cloud Computing Advantages:  

Main advantages are cost savings, scalability, flexibility and disaster recovery. Resources can be scaled based on usage, which means companies only pay for what they are using and have the data backed up in case of an emergency. 

Examples of Cloud Services: 

Few popular cloud services are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. These provide a plethora of services that helps to Develop and Manage App, Store Data etc. 

Cybersecurity 

As the world continues to rely more heavily on digital technologies, cybersecurity has never been a bigger issue. Protecting computer systems, networks and data from cyber attacks is called Cyber security. 

Phishing attacks, Malware, Ransomware and Data breaches: 

This is common cybersecurity threats. These threats can bear substantial ramifications, from financial damages to reputation harm for any corporation. 

Cybersecurity Best Practices:  

In order to safeguard against cybersecurity threats, it is necessary to follow best-practices including using strong passwords and two-factor authorization, updating software as required, training employees on security risks. 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) represent the fastest-growing fields of creating systems that learn from data, identifying patterns in them. These are applied to several use-cases like self driving cars, personalization in Netflix. 

AI vs ML —  

AI is the broader concept of machines being able to carry out tasks in a way we would consider “smart”. Machine learning is a type of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that provides computers with the ability to learn without being explicitly programmed. JOIN US

Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: some common applications include Image recognition, Speech to text, Natural language processing, Predictive analytics Robotics. 

Web Development meets Data Management etc. 

We need so many things like web development, data management and cloud computing plus cybersecurity etc.. but some of them are most important aspects i.e. AI/ML yet more fascinating is where these fields converge or play off each other. 

Web Development and Data Management 

Web Development and Data Management goes hand in hand. The large number of websites and web-based applications in the world generate enormous amounts of data — from user interactions, to transaction records. Being able to manage this data is key in providing a fantastic user experience and enabling you to make decisions based on the right kind of information. 

E.g. E-commerce Website, products data need to be saved on server also customers data should save in a database loosely coupled with orders and payments. This data is necessary for customization of the shopping experience as well as inventory management and fraud prevention. 

Cloud Computing and Web Development 

The development of the web has been revolutionized by cloud computing which gives developers a way to allocate, deploy and scale applications more or less without service friction. Developers now can host applications and data in cloud services instead of investing for physical servers. 

E.g. A start-up company can use cloud services to roll out the web application globally in order for all users worldwide could browse it without waiting due unavailability of geolocation prohibited access. 

The Future of Cybersecurity and Data Management 

Which makes Cybersecurity a very important part of the Data management. The more data collected and stored by an organization, the greater a target it becomes for cyber threats. It is important to secure this data using robust cybersecurity measures, so that sensitive information remains intact and customer trust does not weaken. JOIN US

Ex: A healthcare provider would have to protect patient data in order to be compliant with regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) that is also responsible for ensuring a degree of confidentiality between a provider and their patients. 

Conclusion 

Well, in a nutshell web-developer or Data manager etc are some of the integral parts for digital world.

As a Business Owner, Tech Enthusiast or even if you are just planning to make your Career in tech — it is important that you understand these. With the progress of technology never slowing down, these intersections are perhaps only going to come together more strongly and develop into cornerstones that define how we live in a digital world tomorrow. 

With the fundamental knowledge of web development, data management, automation and ML you will manage to catch up with digital movements. Whether you have a site to build, ideas data to manage or simply interested in what’s hot these days, skills and knowledge around the above will stand good for changing tech world. JOIN US

[sudo24learning]

https://www.sudo24.com

Blog Title: Unlock Your Digital Power with Sudo24

Today is a time of the revolution, and when it comes to digital products, some certainly are better than others. Whether you are tech enthusiastic or just a startup founder interested in conducting some operations more efficiently online, Sudo24 is that type of the platform that changes everything. What's even more surprising is that this software is already equipped with strong features and easy-to-use interface-all you need to run your digital ecosystem effortlessly.

So, what is Sudo24? Sudo24 is a very diverse platform that allows you to have entire services to operate and manage your infrastructure online. It could be to create a website, administer servers, or perhaps optimize the digital footprint of your business; whatever it is, Sudo24 has the toolset to do it.

Major Features of Sudo24:

1. Cloud Complete Solutions : Scale your digital presence with customizable cloud solutions that grow with your business.

2. Advanced Security Sudo24 keeps really tight security and top-level encryptions, so your data and operations are safe.

3. Support 24/7 With a beginner-friendly approach or starting from scratch, the support team of Sudo24 is always on standby to help in getting around challenges.

4.Easy Integration Connect all favorite tools and platforms in much ease to ensure smooth digital experiences and interactions.

Why Use Sudo24? What makes Sudo24 special is the fact that it presents an all-around platform for catering to businesses of all sizes. Its affordable yet reliable nature, with constant innovation, is loved by entrepreneurs who need to scale hassle-free.

Conclusion: Wanna take your digital life to the next level? Sudo24 is your site. Powerful features, unbeatable security, and user-friendly interface help you to unleash your digital self.

[cryptoolivia]

What is Bitcoin? A Beginner's Guide to Bitcoin

When it comes to cryptocurrency, Bitcoin (BTC) is what most people think of first. However, many beginners don’t fully understand how Bitcoin works or how to invest in it. So, what exactly is Bitcoin? What is its history? And how should you invest in Bitcoin? This article will address these questions to help you better understand how to participate in Bitcoin investing. What is Bitcoin? Bitcoin (BTC) is a form of virtual currency, also known as cryptocurrency. It was introduced in 2008 by a mysterious person or group under the name "Satoshi Nakamoto." While we still don’t know Satoshi Nakamoto's true identity, Bitcoin has become a popular global investment asset. Bitcoin relies on blockchain technology, a distributed ledger that is immutable and ensures transparency and security in transactions. Why is Bitcoin so important? The primary reason Bitcoin has gained attention so quickly is its decentralized nature. Unlike traditional currencies, Bitcoin isn’t controlled by any government or financial institution. This means that in any country, the government cannot directly interfere with Bitcoin transactions. Additionally, Bitcoin’s anonymity makes it a valuable tool for those seeking to protect their privacy. Key Advantages of Bitcoin • Decentralization: Bitcoin isn’t controlled by any central authority or government, offering users greater financial freedom. • Anonymity: Although Bitcoin transaction records are public on the blockchain, transaction addresses aren’t directly linked to the owner's identity, protecting privacy. • Global Reach: Bitcoin can be circulated globally without the need for exchange rates or transaction restrictions. • Security: Bitcoin uses advanced encryption techniques to ensure the security of transactions and prevent asset theft. Risks of Investing in Bitcoin While Bitcoin has many advantages, there are also some risks that cannot be ignored. Due to its price volatility, investors may experience significant gains or losses in a short period. Additionally, since Bitcoin is decentralized and not government-regulated, if it’s hacked or you lose your private key, the funds cannot be recovered. Common questions: • Why is Bitcoin worth investing in despite its price fluctuations? • If I lose my Bitcoin wallet, can I recover it? • What are the risks associated with Bitcoin's anonymity? Bitcoin’s Use Cases Beyond being an investment tool, Bitcoin has many real-world applications. On platforms like Paxful and Noones, users can exchange Bitcoin for various gift cards (such as Amazon, iTunes, Steam, etc.) and points, making it a flexible asset tool. Bitcoin can also be used for cross-border payments, particularly in restricted countries or regions where it bypasses traditional financial systems, enabling quick and convenient transactions. Other use cases include: • Online shopping: An increasing number of merchants accept Bitcoin as a payment method, allowing users to make purchases using cryptocurrency. • Travel and accommodation: Some websites like Travala allow users to book flights, hotels, and travel packages using Bitcoin. • Charity donations: Some charitable organizations have started accepting Bitcoin donations, leveraging its decentralization and low transaction fees. • Peer-to-peer payments: Bitcoin facilitates fast peer-to-peer fund transfers, making it especially useful for international remittances.

Three Basic Ways to Invest in Bitcoin

Buy and store on an exchange This is the simplest investment method. You can buy Bitcoin through exchanges like Binance, OKX, or Bitget and store it in your exchange account. While this method is easy to operate, the security of the exchange is a risk factor. If an exchange is hacked or goes bankrupt, your assets could be lost.

Use a cold wallet to store Bitcoin Cold wallets are a more secure storage method. Users can transfer Bitcoin to an offline wallet they control, avoiding the risks of exchange hacks or collapses. However, if the private key is lost, the assets cannot be recovered, so users must take full responsibility for their wallets.

Contract trading Contract trading allows users to speculate on Bitcoin price movements without owning the actual asset. By leveraging positions, contract trading can amplify profits and losses. This approach carries high risk and is more suited to experienced investors. Advanced Strategies: Bitcoin Derivatives and Mining As the Bitcoin market matures, financial products like options, dual-currency savings, and liquidity mining are becoming increasingly popular. Additionally, traditional mining—contributing computing power to secure the network in exchange for Bitcoin rewards—remains an important source of income for some investors. Though mining has a high entry threshold, it is still a valuable way for participants to earn Bitcoin. Conclusion There are many ways to invest in Bitcoin. For beginners, the simplest approach is to buy and hold Bitcoin on an exchange. As you gain more market knowledge, you can explore cold wallet storage or contract trading. More advanced strategies, like Bitcoin derivatives and mining, require higher technical expertise and capital. Common questions: • What can Bitcoin be used to buy? • What are the advantages of using Bitcoin for payments? • Which Bitcoin trading platform is the most secure?

[healthyblas]

Choosing the right VPN in 2024 is crucial for online privacy, speed, and security. ExpressVPN leads with fast speeds and top-tier encryption, ideal for streaming and secure browsing. NordVPN offers double encryption for maximum privacy, while Surfshark stands out with its budget-friendly plans and unlimited connections. CyberGhost provides an easy-to-use interface, perfect for beginners, and Private Internet Access (PIA) offers highly customizable security features for tech enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for performance, privacy, or affordability, these VPNs have you covered for a safer online experience in 2024.

Looking for the best VPN to secure your online experience? Dive deeper into our detailed reviews and expert comparisons on the top VPNs of 2024. Read More

[sniffanimal]

if you're relatively new to offering commissions, here's some red flags from clients that might indicate you're potentially being scammed. these aren't foolproof, and the person could be genuine, but proceed with caution if you notice these things. also feel free to reblog with any other red flags you know of

If the way the person talks makes it seem like they're not actually familiar with your art. For example, if you draw digital icons, but the person is asking about frames and shipping costs. Or if you're a furry artist but they want a portrait of their human normie partner, etc.

If they give you a budget that's way higher than your usual asking price. I know lots of beginners and even seasoned veterans undercharge, but if you're offering $10 sketches and someone comes up and says their budget is $500, they might be trying to scam you

They offer to pay in a format other than what you take. If you only work through PayPal invoice but they want to pay by money order, gift cards, by a different e-banking system, or with crypto.

If they overpay up front, usually by a lot of money. This scam involves them asking for the difference to be sent back to them. They get their refund, but the original payment then bounces, leaving you broke.

If you don't conduct work over email, but someone somehow gets your email and reaches out to you. Never click links sent from suspicious emails. Also, if they insist on talking over an encrypted chat when that is not how you usually conduct your business.

If they refuse to pay up front. I've never encountered a client that didn't feel comfortable with some up front payment/deposit. If they're worried about you scamming them, it's valid to be worried that they're scamming you.

If the commission request *feels* like it's commercial work but was commissioned as personal work, such as the piece feels like they're asking for a logo, or mascot design, but they didn't disclose that. It's common practice in the industry to charge extra for commercial work, be sure to have something in a TOS about that.

If you have a TOS but it's clear they haven't read it, such as asking questions answered in it. Please have a TOS, even if it's simple. Setting boundaries and expectations with your art is worth it.

and the last thing I can think of, if it feels like hyperspecific fetish art and you're not comfortable taking a kink commission, you're allowed to refuse service. I have seen minors tricked into drawing fetish art, or people uncomfortable with drawing NS/F//w works be tricked into it. I have been myself. I charge extra for adult works, and hiding it to avoid paying the charge is scummy and creepy.