Tutorials – Page 6 – Richard Callaby

Tails OS: A Privacy-Focused Linux Operating System.

Tails (The Amnesic Incognito Live System) is a privacy-focused Linux operating system that aims to protect users’ anonymity and privacy by routing all internet traffic through the TOR network. Tails is a live operating system, meaning it can be booted from a USB drive or DVD and does not need to be installed on a hard drive. This makes it easy to use on any computer and leaves no trace of your activities when the system is shut down.

Tails was first released in 2009 and is based on the Debian GNU/Linux distribution. It comes with a number of pre-installed applications that are useful for preserving privacy, such as the TOR browser, PGP encryption tools, and the Electrum Bitcoin wallet. Tails also includes a number of other security-enhancing features, such as full disk encryption and the ability to route all network traffic over the TOR network.

One of the key features of Tails is its emphasis on anonymity. When using Tails, all internet traffic is routed through the TOR network, which is a network of servers that bounces your internet traffic through multiple servers around the world to obscure your location and identity. This makes it very difficult for anyone to track your online activities or identify you.

In addition to routing internet traffic through the TOR network, Tails also includes a number of other features that help to protect your privacy. For example, it uses a feature called “memory wiping” to automatically erase any trace of your activities from the computer’s memory when the system is shut down. This means that even if someone gains physical access to the computer you were using, they will not be able to retrieve any information about what you were doing.

Another important aspect of Tails is its use of encryption. The operating system includes tools for encrypting files, emails, and other types of sensitive information. This can help to protect your data from being accessed by unauthorized parties, even if it falls into the wrong hands.

One of the main advantages of Tails is that it is very easy to use. It includes a number of pre-installed applications that are useful for preserving privacy, such as the TOR browser, PGP encryption tools, and the Electrum Bitcoin wallet. These tools are all easy to use and do not require any technical knowledge to set up.

Tails is also very lightweight, making it easy to run on older or low-powered computers. This makes it a good option for people who need to use a secure operating system on a regular basis but do not have access to a powerful computer.
Despite its many benefits, Tails is not without its limitations. One of the main drawbacks is that it can be slow to use, as all internet traffic must be routed through the TOR network. This can make it slow to browse the web or access certain types of content.

Another potential limitation is that Tails is not a good option for people who need to use specific types of software that are not compatible with the operating system. This may be a problem for people who rely on certain types of software for their work or personal use.

Overall, Tails is a powerful and secure operating system that is well-suited for people who need to preserve their privacy online. It is easy to use, lightweight, and includes a number of useful tools for encrypting data and routing internet traffic through the TOR network. While it is not without its limitations, it is a good option for people who need a secure and anonymous operating system.

Methods to Delete Your Data from the Internet and obtain some privacy.

Online privacy is a major concern for many people, and for good reason. Your personal information is constantly being collected by various websites, companies, and organizations, and it can be difficult to keep track of who has your data and how it is being used. If you’re looking to increase your online privacy, one of the best things you can do is to take steps to delete your information from the internet. Here are some ways to do that:

Review and delete your online accounts: Go through a list of all the websites and online services you use, and consider whether you really need all of them. If you have accounts that you no longer use, consider deleting them. This will not only help to reduce the amount of personal information that is available online, but it will also make it easier to keep track of your active accounts.

Delete old posts and comments: If you have been active on social media or forums, there is a good chance that you have made a number of posts and comments over the years. Go through your old posts and delete anything that you no longer want to be available online. This includes posts that contain personal information, as well as anything that you might regret posting in the future.

Remove your personal information from people search websites: There are a number of websites that specialize in collecting and publishing personal information about people. These sites can be a major source of information for anyone who is trying to track you down. To remove your information from these sites, you will need to go to each site individually and request that your information be removed.

Opt out of data brokers: Data brokers are companies that collect and sell personal information to other businesses. If you want to reduce the amount of personal information that is available online, you can opt out of these data brokers. This can be done through the Network Advertising Initiative’s opt-out page, or through the Digital Advertising Alliance’s opt-out page.

Use privacy-focused search engines: If you’re concerned about your online privacy, you may want to consider using a search engine that places a greater emphasis on privacy. Some options include DuckDuckGo and StartPage. These search engines do not track your searches or collect your personal information, which can help to increase your online privacy.

Use a virtual private network (VPN): A VPN is a tool that encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address. This can be useful for increasing your online privacy, as it makes it more difficult for websites and organizations to track your online activity. There are a number of VPNs available, and it’s important to do your research and choose a reputable one.

Enable privacy settings on your devices: Most devices and operating systems come with a range of privacy settings that you can customize. Take some time to go through the privacy settings on your devices and adjust them to your liking. This can include things like turning off location tracking, disabling cookies, and limiting the amount of personal information that is shared with apps and websites.

Use secure and unique passwords: One of the easiest ways for someone to gain access to your personal information is by guessing your password. To protect yourself, it’s important to use strong, unique passwords for all of your accounts. Consider using a password manager to help you generate and store secure passwords.

By taking these steps, you can help to reduce the amount of personal information that is available online and increase your overall online privacy. It’s important to remember that complete privacy on the internet is difficult to achieve, but by taking control of your personal information, you can make it much more difficult for others to track you and access your data.

Why Learn Linux in 2023?

Linux is a powerful and versatile operating system that is widely used in a variety of settings, from personal computers and servers to smartphones and smart TVs. While it may seem intimidating to those who are not technically inclined, learning Linux can offer numerous benefits for anyone looking to improve their computer skills and expand their knowledge of technology. Here are a few reasons why someone who isn’t technically inclined should consider learning Linux in 2023:

Cost: One of the biggest advantages of Linux is that it is free and open-source. This means that you can download and use it without having to pay any license fees or subscriptions. This can be a great option for those who are on a budget or who simply want to save money on software.

Customization: Linux is highly customizable, allowing users to tailor the operating system to their specific needs and preferences. This can be especially useful for those who want to use their computer for specific tasks or who want to personalize their computing experience.

Security: Linux is known for its security features, making it a good choice for those who are concerned about online threats such as viruses and malware. Linux is less susceptible to these types of attacks and can offer added protection for your data and personal information.

Compatibility: Linux is compatible with a wide range of hardware and software, making it a good choice for those who want to use their computer for a variety of purposes. It can run on older hardware and can be used with a wide range of applications, from office productivity tools to graphic design software.

Community: One of the great things about Linux is the strong community of users and developers that support it. There are numerous online forums, discussion groups, and resources available to help users learn and troubleshoot issues with Linux. This can be especially helpful for those who are new to the operating system and may need additional guidance.

Overall, learning Linux can be a great way for someone who isn’t technically inclined to improve their computer skills and expand their knowledge of technology. Whether you are looking to save money on software, customize your computing experience, or simply want to learn something new, Linux is a great choice.

Understanding .bashrc in the GNU/Linux OS.

The bashrc file is a script that is run every time you start a new terminal session in a Linux operating system. It is responsible for setting up your terminal environment and defining any customizations or aliases that you may have defined.
To customize your bashrc file, you will first need to open it in a text editor. This can typically be done by typing nano ~/.bashrc into the terminal. If you prefer to use a different text editor, such as vi or emacs, you can substitute it in place of nano.
One common customization that many users make to their bashrc file is to define aliases for frequently used commands. For example, you might define an alias for ls -al as la, so that you can simply type la to see a detailed listing of the contents of a directory. To define an alias, you can use the alias command in your bashrc file, like so:

alias la='ls -al'

Another useful customization that you can make to your bashrc file is to set up custom prompt strings for your terminal. By default, the prompt string will typically include your username, the name of the current directory, and a $ symbol, but you can customize this to include any information that you find useful. For example, you might want to include the current time, the current git branch, or the status of your background jobs. To customize your prompt string, you can use the PS1 variable, like so:

PS1='\u@\h:\w$ '

This will set your prompt string to include your username, the name of the current host, and the name of the current working directory. You can use various escape sequences to include other information, such as \t for the current time or \j for the number of background jobs.

Another useful customization that you can make to your bashrc file is to set up custom functions. Functions are essentially small scripts that you can define and then call by name from the terminal. This can be useful for automating repetitive tasks or for encapsulating complex commands into a simpler interface. To define a function, you can use the function keyword, like so:

function hello { echo "Hello, world!" }

You can then call this function by typing hello into the terminal. Functions can also accept arguments, which can be accessed within the function using the $1, $2, etc. variables.

In addition to the customizations that you can make directly in your bashrc file, you can also include other script files or configuration files from within your bashrc file. This can be useful if you want to keep your customizations organized or if you want to reuse the same customizations across multiple machines. To include another script or configuration file, you can use the source command, like so:

source ~/.my_custom_configurations

There are many other customizations that you can make to your bashrc file, and the exact steps will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Some other examples of customizations that you might consider include setting up custom key bindings, setting up environment variables, or configuring command history.

In summary, the bashrc file is a powerful tool for customizing your terminal environment in a Linux operating system. By defining aliases, custom prompt strings, functions, and other customizations, you can

Get That Job – An Exciting New YouTube Series

Hello,

As some of you may be aware I was a Technical Trainer at one time in my life. As I am attempting to get back into that field I thought that the best way to do that is to start a series on YouTube where I cover the most common coding questions asked during a technical interview.

You can find the playlist here:

As I have just started creating this playlist there may be not a whole lot of content covered. However, I can assure you there is going to be plenty more questions and answers covered. With a series such as this, there really is no end. So, hopefully, this will become a go-to resource for any college graduate that wishes to obtain a job in the software development field.

Bitcoin and BlockChains: Your Guide to the new Cryptocurrencies

Have you started to notice that just about everyone is talking about a strange phenomenon called BitCoin? Does this leave you a bit confused? It sure did me and I consider myself technically literate. Well, after some time researching this subject, and actually buying and mining BitCoin I decided to write a guide for those like me who were a bit confused by these new Cryptocurrencies.

Blockchain technology has been claimed to be one of the better technological advances in the past decade. Just about everyone is considering integrating this technology into their products and services, so becoming familiar with it may be beneficial so you can talk intelligently about it at the very least.

You can, of course, find this guide on my platform of choice for such things, namely the Kindle Store.

Below you will find a link to the book:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0766DTVQV

Hope you enjoy!

Why Learn Python?

Hello,

I am currently working on a course for Udemy, Skillshare, and others on the topic of Python programming language. In that effort, I created a short video on the compelling reasons why someone would want to learn this programming language. As you can imagine the title of this video is Why Learn Python!

Here it is for your enjoyment or criticism.

Of course, this course is going to be basic but thorough in its depth and breath.