Hot Null Byte How-Tos

How To: Permanently Delete Files to Protect Privacy and Passwords

Permanently deleting files is something that a lot of people aren't aware of. Actually, most people think that once a file is deleted, it is gone forever. This is not the case. Hard drives write to the disk via magnetic charges, positive and negative correlate to 1s and 0s for binary. This is then interpreted into information for the computer to use and access.

How To: Make an Unbreakable Linux Password Using a SHA-2 Hash Algorithm

In Linux, all password hashes are normally stored using the MD5 hashing algorithm in the /etc/shadow file, but MD5 is algorithmically weak due to collision vulnerabilities. The new recommended standard are the higher level SHA-2 hashing algorithms, SHA256 or SHA512. As a friend pointed out to me, Ubuntu is currently the only distro implementing SHA-2 as the default. With SHA-2, your passwords take an unreasonably larger amount of time to calculate. This will greatly decrease how many password...

How To: Get Free Wi-Fi from Hotels & More

Often times when staying at a hotel or anywhere for that matter, you'll whip out your laptop and check the local area for Wi-Fi. I know you've all been in my shoes when you find an unsecured network that appears to be public Wi-Fi belonging to the hotel or airport, and you connect to it. You connect fast and perfectly, only to find that when you open your browser, it says you don't have an account, and are filtered from accessing the web. This is because the owners of the network want to keep...

How To: Run Windows from Inside Linux

Something that can shy a user away from making the switch to Linux is not having the option to go back to Windows. Luckily, there are solutions like dual-booting, where you can have both OS's installed right next to each other. However, Windows 8 appears as if it will block dual-boots with its neo-space BIOS that have been developed. Sneaky-sneaky. Windows users could still throw in a Linux live CD to try out Linux, but what does a Linux user do when they need something from Windows?

How To: Mine Bitcoin and Make Money

Bitcoin is a new currency built off "Satoshi Nakamoto's" (alias) 2008 Bitcoin white-paper. Bitcoin provides its users with a way to make peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions without having to use a bank as a mediator. There is no middle man, no corporation backing it, and no one has access to your money, except you. It's decentralized from government, run by the people, for the people.

How To: Master the Internet of Things with This Certification Bundle

These days, everything is connected. No, really — we mean everything. Your phone, your smart speaker, and even appliances like stoves and refrigerators can be connected and communicate with one another. Welcome to the Internet of Things, the start of our interconnected future. It's projected by 2027 that there will be more than 41 million internet-connected devices in use around the world.

How To: This Master Course Bundle on Coding Is Just $34.99

Whether you're already coding from home or are seeking help as a beginner, now is a great time to find a lucrative job in programming. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than 200,000 jobs were created in computer programming in 2019, with a median pay of more than $85,000, and the number is only set to grow over time. If you want to learn to code, The Master Learn to Code 2021 Certification Bundle is your ticket.

How To: Start Learning How to Code in Just a Week

If you've been thinking about changing careers and you have just a little bit of time, The Ultimate 2021 Web Developer & Designer Super Bundle may be just what you need. This is also the perfect time to get it because it's on sale for $34.99, which is 98% off the regular price of $1,886. You'll get 14 courses that offer 39 hours of content on HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and more.

How To: Get Started with Python with This One-Hour Course for Just $14.99

If you have information technology or computer science aspirations — even white hat hacking — then Python is a programming language you absolutely have to be familiar with. According to a recent survey of industry experts, Python is the fastest-growing language in the developer field. It's also one of the most sought-after skill sets among employers and is responsible for some of the best hacking tools.

How To: Add MATLAB to Your Programming Toolkit with This Bundle

It's no secret that more and more talented computer science gurus and programmers are turning toward high-paying careers in engineering. Today's engineers stand at the forefront of some of the world's most important and exciting technological innovations — ranging from self-driving cars and surgical robots to large-scale construction projects and even space exploration—and our reliance on these talented data-driven professionals is only going to grow in the coming years.

How To: Use Gtfo to Search for Abusable Binaries During Post-Exploitation

GTFOBins and LOLBAS are projects with the goal of documenting native binaries that can be abused and exploited by attackers on Unix and Windows systems, respectfully. These binaries are often used for "living off the land" techniques during post-exploitation. In this tutorial, we will be exploring gtfo, a tool used to search these projects for abusable binaries right from the command line.

How To: This Extensive Adobe Design Training Is on Sale for Just $50

If you want to be truly competitive and successful in the world of web and app development, it's not enough to simply know a handful of programming languages and coding platforms. Today's best sites and apps require pro-level graphics and user interfaces, and knowing how to work with a wide range of graphic design tools is essential if you want to land lucrative positions as either an employee or a freelancer.

How To: This Best-Selling VPN Is on Sale for Just $12 Today

Now that more people are working from home on unsecured networks and personal devices, hackers are having a field day accessing everything from private browsing histories to personal banking information. A virtual private network (VPN) is the first and most important line of defense when it comes to protecting all of your devices from digital intrusions, but not all VPNs are created equal.