Enabling TWM-Like Keybinds In PopOS 22.04 LTS

# Clear all keybinds.
gsettings set org.gnome.shell.keybindings switch-to-application-1 []
gsettings set org.gnome.shell.keybindings switch-to-application-2 []
gsettings set org.gnome.shell.keybindings switch-to-application-3 []
gsettings set org.gnome.shell.keybindings switch-to-application-4 []
gsettings set org.gnome.shell.keybindings switch-to-application-5 []
gsettings set org.gnome.shell.keybindings switch-to-application-6 []
gsettings set org.gnome.shell.keybindings switch-to-application-7 []
gsettings set org.gnome.shell.keybindings switch-to-application-8 []
gsettings set org.gnome.shell.keybindings switch-to-application-9 []

# Bind keys to move to workspace.
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings switch-to-workspace-1 “[‘1′]”
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings switch-to-workspace-2 “[‘2′]”
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings switch-to-workspace-3 “[‘3′]”
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings switch-to-workspace-4 “[‘4′]”
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings switch-to-workspace-5 “[‘5′]”
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings switch-to-workspace-6 “[‘6′]”
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings switch-to-workspace-7 “[‘7′]”
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings switch-to-workspace-8 “[‘8′]”
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings switch-to-workspace-9 “[‘9′]”
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings switch-to-workspace-10 “[‘0′]”

# Bind keys to move window to workspace.
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings move-to-workspace-1 “[‘1′]”
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings move-to-workspace-2 “[‘2′]”
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings move-to-workspace-3 “[‘3′]”
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings move-to-workspace-4 “[‘4′]”
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings move-to-workspace-5 “[‘5′]”
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings move-to-workspace-6 “[‘6′]”
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings move-to-workspace-7 “[‘7′]”
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings move-to-workspace-8 “[‘8′]”
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings move-to-workspace-9 “[‘9′]”
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings move-to-workspace-10 “[‘0′]”

Common Malware Obfuscation Techniques

Disclaimer

As is with any Cybersecurity related information, it can be used to strengthen your systems, or potentially to harm them. Do not use this information to break any laws applicable in your country. If you misuse this information, I will not be held responsible.

Techniques

  • Base64 Encoding
    • Take the entire codebase (meaning each individual source file), and run it through a base64 encoder. Optimally, each file would be placed in different strings in the destination as a variable. These should be run in another program as a sort of base64 executor, which would decode the base64 strings and run them as the original program.
    • Most mainstream programming languages have pre-existing modules to do this.
  • Variable Name Obfuscation
    • Ideally, you would rename the variables and functions to generic things, like f1, f2, f3, v1, v2, v3, etc. The use of a premade algorithm or an LLM to do this for you would be better.
    • Example LLM prompt:
    • {code base goes here}

      Replace all variable and function names by randomly generated character and number combinations.

  • Function Cramming
    • This would be the act of adding decoy/useless functions that get called throughout the code in order to further obfuscate what the program is really doing. Once again, an algorithm or LLM would be the easiest way to accomplish this.

Independently and on their own, these are useful. In conjunction, these are effective. They aren’t hard things to do. Test it for yourself (in a legal setting) and see.

Data Storage Safety

  • Use BitLocker Drive Encryption on all hard drives (including secondary), or LUKS for Linux.
  • For very significant/sensitive data that cannot risk being stolen, use a VeraCrypt container on an encrypted hard drive.
    • This ensures there’s a secondary layer of encryption with a different password to unlock it. This also makes it so that it can’t be leaked to CLOUD BACKUP SERVICES which have a tendency to be a dangerously unlooked vector.
  • Ensure you use a backup service that supports native encryption using private keys you control (iDrive is the best).
    • This is a secondary layer in case your username/password -> Authenticator is compromised. Additionally, ensure that the backup service does not save the private keys themselves.
    • One negative of iDrive is the terrible Linux support. I recommend running a QEMU/KVM VM that runs the Windows version of the program, then sharing your desired locations to backup to the VM. I have a note on this here.
    • If you aren’t using a backup service already, you’re NGMI…
  • Use an encrypted notepad program, such as encNotepad -> never use plaintext notes for anything.
    • (I’m not here to plug my basic software, but encNotepad is a basic notepad-like program to get you up and running, and with high-enough security methods)

iDrive Backups Through QEMU/KVM

The iDrive script/program for Linux is messed up. Sometimes it works, other times you have to reconnect multiple times before it runs on a schedule, only to fail again upon reboot. The alternative is to run the iDrive Windows program inside a QEMU/KVM Virtual Machine.

Steps

  • Install QEMU/KVM / libvirtd and virt-manager.
    • sudo apt install virt-manager
      sudo systemctl enable –now libvirtd
      sudo usermod -aG libvirt $USER

  • Download Windows 10 LTSC IoT (the smallest possible Windows image).
  • Setup Windows 10 Guest Tools for QEMU/KVM.
  • Install the iDrive application on the Windows VM.

VMware Workstation Download Post-Broadcom

In case you didn’t hear, VMware has been sold to Broadcom. Unfortunately, this has come with a couple of site issues during the migration. As of now 2024-05-28, there’s no way to “publically” download the VMware Workstation product. I’ll show you how to download it the alternative way.

In addition, VMware Workstation Pro is now rebranded as a free product for consumers and paid for enterprise users.

qBittorrent Setup Guide 2024

  • Click the Settings icon.
    • Click the Advanced option.
      • Go to the Network interface section, and choose your VPN interface. If you’re using Mullvad, there should be an entry for Mullvad.
        • This will make sure to bind your qBittorrent connection directly to your VPN. There will be no possibility of mistakenly opening qBittorrent without your VPN on, leaking your gateway IP to the world. If you don’t have a VPN and are living in Germany, Western European nations, or North America, you need one… Unless you’re only downloading ISOs or legal, non-copywritten material, that is.
    • Click the BitTorrent option.
      • Go to the Encryption mode: section. Make sure it’s set to Require encryption.
      • Check the checkbox for Enable anonymous mode.
      • Make sure that the value 30 is set for all of the following options:
        • Maximum active checking torrents:
        • Maximum active downloads:
        • Maximum active uploads:
        • Maximum active torrents:
      • Modify the values for the following areas:
        • Download rate threshold: 35 KiB/s
        • Torrent inactivity timer: 15 sec
      • Under Seeding Limits, ensure When ratio reaches is checked, and the value is set to 0.00.
      • Under the then area, make sure the value is set to Pause torrent.
    • Click the Downloads option.
      • Navigate to the Saving Management subsection. Set the following options: Default Torrent Management Mode: Automatic, When Torrent Category changed: Relocate torrent, When Default Save/Incomplete Path changed: Relocate affected torrents, and When Category Save Path changed: Relocate affected torrents.
      • Nativate to the Saving Management subsection. Ensure that the Use Subcategories checkbox is checked.
      • Nativate to the Saving Management subsection. Ensure that the Copy .torrent files to: checkbox is checked. Be sure to set a default value via the file picker option on the right.

Meta Quest 3 Shortcuts

  • Double tap the side of your headset for Passthrough Mode.
  • Double tap the Meta button. Wait for an audio cue to know the headset is listening. Speak your command.
    • Examples:
      • Open VRChat
      • Search the store for VRChat
      • Open Settings | Open Store | Open Library
      • Restart | Shut down | What’s my battery
      • Capture screenshot | Capture video | Stop recording
  • Tap your controllers gently together twice and the headset will immediately switch to hand-tracking. To switch back to controllers just pick them up.

Routing HexChat Through Tor

Note: Hexchat is dead as of 2.16.2, The Final Release on February 9th 2024. Keep in mind, this could mean that HexChat accumulates unfixed vulnerabilities or bugs going into the future. If you are using IRC + tor for a “secure” use case, consider using an alternative, such as irssi or weechat.

  1. sudo apt install tor hexchat
  2. Run the tor command to start the tor service on 127.0.0.1:9050.
    • Keep this running in a background terminal.
  3. Start HexChat
  4. Connect to any IRC server.
    • This is required in order to access the HexChat menus.
  5. In the new window, select Settings and then Preferences. Hit the option Network setup.
  6. Under the hostname field, type in: 127.0.0.1 and in port type in: 9050. Change the Type dropdown to SOCKS5
  7. Next, fully close and reopen HexChat. Ensure that it is PROPERLY closed, and then reopened.