Post Category → Miscellaneous

Bitcoin and crime

I just came across this old screenshot from from the FT.

Alex Stamos made a similar point on the Risky Biz podcast recently. I am paraphrasing but he was stating the obvious point that a substantial amount of Bitcoin’s value is based on ransomware and other cycbercrime.

Patrick Grey also made a good point in the Zane Lacky episode that the explosion in infosec interest really started with Lulzsec. I tend to agree. At least, it was what pushed me from general security interest into making it a career interest.

Pi-hole

 

Pi-hole is a little open source Linux-based DNS ad blocker that you run on your network to soak up all the ad junk before it hits your browser.

I tried it in a VM and was amazed at the speed difference it made despite the fact I already have uBlock Origin installed in my browsers.

I decided to get a Raspberry Pi 3 from Amazon (the starter kit with Pi, case, micro usb, and power cord). I had Pi-hole installed and configured within a few minutes and it works beautifully. The speed gains are very noticeable.

I strongly recommend this, and encourage anyone who uses it to support the project.