Look before you leap LOL!

Well, I learned something new today.  I decided to work on what was causing my access issue with Immich and after doing searches on the internet using google it all came down to one line entry in the yml file to correct the issue.  How I discovered it, Discord!  I want to say it has been 2 weeks since it went down after the update, but I did learn a lot in that time up to the final fix.  My docker foo is much stronger now.  What doesn't kill you make you stronger.

Happy Monday!!!!!

Video Server

Well, I have been working on my Plex server the last couple of days.  Just getting some of the videos I have on it and trying to test the viewing of it when there is no internet connection.  The process is convoluted but I have a backup and it is Jellyfin.  It was a little dodgy a couple of years ago, but it has gotten better if I do say so myself.  I can also default to VLC thus the reason for working on the videos.  I had to make sure the name was recognizable when trying to play on VLC.  I have also been working on a alternative to Immich since it has gone to a paid service for any new users which means suggestion it to other people would be out of the question.  I have been looking at photo prism or Libre photos.  I plan to stay with Immich but need something else that works the same way just in case lol.

Interesting day so far

The day has gone by quickly today.  I had a microsoft meeting/training that lasted an hour and watched a couple of AD videos and still feel like the day has been a bust.  I will have to hit the ground running tomorrow.

Here's to tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crazy couple of weeks

Well, it has been a while, but I have been hard at work get my "stuff" together LOL!  I had to get my rack setup for the one server I have for now as well as work on backing up the computer I am using as a server now.  The computer isn't bad but I am not able to get any GUI programs to run and I need that for my labs.  Not willing to give up the resource light setup of this box to redo it with a GUI.  Besides, I have a lot of services running on it.

I was able to get VMware running on my laptop and setup a lab for pentesting.  At least I can get started on my Linux+ and Security + training as far as being able to run scenarios locally.  Now I need to get the other box setup for AD training and maybe load pfsense for router/firewall analysis.  Also want to get proxmox setup in my lab again.  I have a lot to do and a little time to do it in before the end of the year.  That's my drop dead date for getting Network+ and Linux+ done.  Maybe if the AD setup works out I can fit Server+ in there too.  This is going to be expensive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

It is late

It is late and I am still up watching videos.  Can't get enough of the tech videos.  It will be a long day tomorrow but Friday night will be movie night lol!!!!!!

Twingate Monday

Well, I spent an hour today checking my twingate connections because I made a false assumption about the ip address for the resource lol.  Live and learn, I thought it was setup like tailscale but not the case.  At least I have verified it is still working.  I have actually never had a opportunity to use it when I am away from home but at least I know it works.  i just need to get it mounted correctly in VLC and I can stream all my music through my phone in the car from my server.  I guess I could use it for my pictures as well.  Umm, nice..............................!

Hump Day

Well, I spent 30 minutes today learning syntax is everything lol.  Yaml files are hard to troubleshoot.  I definitely need to work on that one.

I learned a lot today at least.  Now back to work!

Happy Wednesday 😀

Happy Thursday

I missed a meeting today due to having the time wrong on my calendar!  Oh well

Going over an online course for Active Directory and trying to do some PowerShell and Bash scripting courses online too.  Learning a lot!

Trying to stick to the free courses for now and once I am better prepared try one of the workshops online.

Well back to work lol!

Stay cool 😎

Wow it's Thursday!

Well, I got immich updated the other day and it only took 5 minutes.  Why do I hold off on these projects lol.  Portainer is up to date, but I need to check on Webmin.  I think webmin is deprecated but I will have to update it manually if it is still being updated.

One more day to Friday.

Still looking for a new job but I am spending my days studying and I am better off than I was before I became unemployed.  There is a lot to learn, I wish I could have done my learning another way.  Oh well!

Azure Online Maybe?

Well, I have been playing with my free azure account the last couple of days but I think I will try to setup something more local for serious AD labbing.  I will still keep the cloud one for backup but I don't want to incur any cost right now and with the cloud one if I go crazy on it I could get charged for that extra usage.  Now I need to find a computer to use that has the resources to run the vm's I will need for my labs.  Ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Thursday

Well, I just finished a Kevin Wallace video on Network+ and CCNA.  IPv4 to IPv6 conversions is interesting lol.  Not sure if I would ever use IPv6 in my environment but I guess it is coming.  Trying to go back and forth between Linux studies and Networking, plus windows AD.  This is going to be a long month.

Disappointed I was not able to get Virtualbox working on my server.  it looks like I will have to go with the qemu, virt-manager, vnc and virtualbox setup maybe.  Still not seeing the big picture.  Oh well!

Learning is hard

Well, I have learned a lot over the past couple of days.  Both Windows and Linux knowledge.  watch a couple videos from security experts about the CrowdStrike incident last week as well as did research on disk utilities for linux ( gdisk, gpartd and dd).  I should just use Clonezilla and call it the day, but I need to know how to work with drives from the cli.  Also just finished updating my resume on Linkedin.  

Now I need to get my Microsoft Azure setup this week.  Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow!!

I can't believe it is Thursday.  I am way behind on stuff.  A lot to do in the next couple of days.

Azure setup

Job postings

Check the forums (reddit, discord and linkedin)

I know I am a bad person

I was a bit under the weather.

Oh well

Portainer and Immich

Okay

I need to update Portainer and Immich because I am cheap it has to be done manually verses there being a automatic process for them (magic button).  Oh well!

I may wait a while after the Crowdstrike issue.  The update is not necessary for these tools now.  I am only getting a prompt for Immich to do an update.  

I am glad I am running Crowdsec on my systems lol.  This has been a crazy day.

More info on Crowdstrike Issue

I got this info from a reddit post by Crowdstrike 

F.Y.I.

CrowdStrike Engineering has identified a content deployment related to this issue and reverted those changes.

Workaround Steps:

1. Boot Windows into Safe Mode or the Windows Recovery Environment

2. Navigate to the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\CrowdStrike directory

3. Locate the file matching "C-00000291*.sys", and delete it.

4. Boot the host normally.

This will not work on an encrypted drive unless you are able to unencrypted it first.

--

Jeffery Johnson

Crowdstrike Issue Fix

Command to help fix: del "C:\Windows\System32\drivers\CrowdStrike\C-00000291*.sys"

Good Luck!

Weird

Okay

Yesterday I decided to work on my security laptop with Ubuntu on it and get it updated.  The update went fine and I managed to get some new software installed.  Later that evening I pulled out the chromebook and that was a different story for an easy update.  The chromebook ran incredibly slow and for the first 10 minutes it was unusable.  Finally, after a couple of reboots and updates to the chromeos it started working normally. So, I thought, when I tried to access my blog page, I was not getting anything.  Normally i would have thought the page was temporarily down but I was just on it a couple of hours earlier from my work laptop.  Checked the internet, checked to see if any other pages were having an issue and all is working except for the blogspot.com domain.  I decided to throw spaghetti at the wall and check the vpn connnections.  Tailscale was installed by default and was not on, so I connected to it and checked the website no affect.  I then tried connecting to Twingate and got the prompt that I can't be connected to 2 vpn's at the same time which I thought was strange since I "thought" I did that all the time from my laptop.  Not the case, it was just that the laptop and my server that have both vpn's setup on them just disconnect me from the old one when I try connecting to one of them.  I did not know that, but it makes sense.  So, after ruling out the vpn's but learning something in the process, I went to the Ad Guard instance running in my environment and after updating it magically the blogspot website started working.

Weird

Hey but it is working now lol

Learning a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Galaxy Nexus Phone Pic

Quick post

Just spent the morning getting my Galaxy Nexus Phone working and yes I said Galaxy Nexus lol!  I have had this phone since 2012 and I loved using it before Google stopped the updates to it.  I then went to a Galaxy Note 3 which I also still have but the battery has to be replaced.  The Nexus was having an issue yesterday which getting it to power on.  I would plug it into the charger, and it would see the charger but not charger or power on.  I would push the power button and it would try to start up and then get power completely off.  I left it until today and decided to take it a part to see if I could test the battery but after just reseating it seems to have done the trick and it is fully charged and working.  I have not connected it to the internet yet.  I need to see if anyone else has done this and what their results were when they connected it.

Even though that was a good morning in itself that was nothing compared to after I did my kernel upgrade for my Ubuntu server earlier today.  I went Linux 5.15.0-113-generic x86_64 to Linux 5.15.0-116-generic x86_64 and that took my resource utilization for memory from 25 percent to 15 percent.  which is amazing since I just recently installed Immich on the server and it went from 18 percent to 25 percent a couple of days ago.  Not too sure about the integrity since it did take several minutes to complete the reboot.  It appears to be working now.  I think now I am more motivated to backup the server now lol.  Heck, kernel upgrade can be easily rolled back but whew.

F.Y.I.

Immich

Okay, today I installed and setup Immich for my photos and videos.  The setup page I used is below.

If you are just using for pictures and home videos skip the hardware acceleration portion unless you have a beefy system that can handle the extra IO's necessary.

Good luck

Docker Compose [Recommended] | Immich

 I might set up one for the family later one I get a couple of domains registered.

Survived Beryl

Well Beryl has passed, and all is well.  I was kind of worried there for a while but where I am at only got a lot of rain and high winds.  There were some power outages in my area, but they should be almost resolved now.

Now it is back to the grind with working on getting ready for my cert tests.  I am shooting to start taking them in the next 2 months.  Also still looking for work which is a endeavor in itself.

Here's to a stable life!!

Check this out – New cyberattack targets iPhone, Apple IDs. Here's how to stay safe

New cyberattack targets iPhone, Apple IDs. Here's how to stay safe

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/new-cyberattack-targets-iphone-apple-ids-here-s-how-to-stay-safe/ar-BB1pC1wN?ocid=socialshare&pc=U531&cvid=128011a37e564256b18f936556402a75&ei=58

New cyberattack targets iPhone, Apple IDs. Here's how to stay safe Clever cyberattack targets 1.4 billion Apple iPhone users. Tech expert Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals how to protect yourself against this spreading text phishing scam. www.msn.com

A new week

Well, it has been a couple of days and it has been interesting to say the least.  I have been working on getting my network print working.  I am able to print from the server but not from another computer.  It installs the printer but errors out trying to print from the remote computer.  I am sure it is a permission issue with cups but I will have to work on it at a future date,  It works locally for now and I will have to live with it.  The irony is tha I have a print server device from Trendnet I could use but that is no fun.

also installed GnuCobol on my laptop to get familiar again with Cobol programming.  Amazing how a 30+ year old programming language is still relevant today lol.  Also working on Linux+ and Networking+ training.  I got to get those certs knocked out soon.

Another Week

Well, it has been another week unemployed and studying for that well-paying job.

I have been doing a lot with DNS setup, tailscale app connector setup and kasm setup.

Not sure if I will ever go with the tailscale app connector solution, not really seeing a use case for my environment but will try to setup if I get a desktop support job at my new place of business.

I need to work on getting Kasm setup but I need to replace the rotating drive in my server with a ssd which i had been planning to do anyway but Kasm runs better on a ssd.  I might try doing it this weekend but it is still up in the air.

I think I will spend the next couple of days watching youtube videos on networking, powershell and SIEM setup.

Here's to next week being more productive, lol!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, adguard is really kicking my but with things like Facebook but I am learning the nuisances of troubleshooting it.

Business Internet vs Home Internet: What's the Difference?

I thought you would be interested in this story I found on MSN: Business Internet vs Home Internet: What's the Difference? - https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/business-internet-vs-home-internet-what-s-the-difference/vi-BB1meLzv?ocid=socialshare&pc=U531&cvid=214a3e957a264f89ab7b8f0f165432c5&ei=14

Nothing new

Well I have been working on and off the last couple of days.  Reading and watching videos on security and networking.  Learned a lot about Twingate more than I cared to know lol.  Fixed my permission issue with a samba share on my server.  I need to get home assistant installed and setup soon.  Maybe by Friday, who knows!

It's Friday!!!!!!

Well, it is Friday.  I did not get a lot done this week due to personal issues.  I had to find a contractor for fixing a hole in my roof which they will do tomorrow.  I actually took a nap today which I have not done in a long time.  Looks like I will have to get some studying done tomorrow along with some outside work.  I will probably play with my ubuntu laptop and get all my tools installed.  I will have to hit the ground running on Monday.  Hopefully the issue with my laptop internet will work itself out.  Only affecting onedrive but I need to be able to save to onedrive.  Right now I am working with just going wireless and everything appears to be working.  Weird the hardline connection would be the issue but oh well.

One more day!!!!!!!

Well I was able to get Portainer installed and setup on my server.  It was not as hard I I thought it was going to be which is a good thing I think lol!  I was also able to figure out the boot issue with my "Use for ethical hacking only" laptop.  Apparently, there was an issue with the kernel which was resolved when I reverted to the old kernel.  I spent a lot of hours on that one too lol!

Laptop: Dell Inspiron 14-3452

It will let me install Ubuntu on it and that is it.  No Parrot, no Kali just Ubuntu or Windows10.

Oh well

Also was able to get a little further with the printer issue.  Look, I have a lot of stuff running on my ore i3 processor box with 16 gigs of ram but that was not the problem.  It definitely looks like a configuration issue with the cupsd.conf file.  right not it is browsable on the network and I was able to bring up the cups admin console remotely from my laptop.  I think I will stop there for the say.  Youtube gets the points while google not so much.  2 YouTube videos and I got farther today due to something that makes no sense but it works

There is a difference between Listen localport:631 and Port 631 wow!  Oh and Port 631 is the right syntax.  I am making a note to backup my cupsd.conf and smb.conf when I get the printing working.  UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another Wednesday

Well, I got to play with Twingate and Tailscale yesterday and I like what I have seen so far.  Both allow me access to local resources when I am out and about without running a conventional vpn.  Granted the use cases I would use them for I could do using Nextcloud.  I will have to see what happens after a get Home Assistant installed and configured to test how seamless it will work with remote access to that system.  I need to get Home Assistant and Portainer installed in my homelab this week.

I am so glad in some morbid I chose to go with Ubuntu Server Core instead of using the GUI.  Learning so much being forced to use the command line to install and setup things.  It is a pain in the rearend but necessary.  I think I am about 50% with getting my homelab somewhat done lol.

Oh well!!!!!!

Monday, Monday

Well the week is starting off rocky!  Unable to get my print server setup in ubuntu core spend several hours trying to get it to work and no bueno.  something with the spooler but not sur what, I have checked the cupsd.conf file and well lol.  I am going to have and shelf that for now and work on a workaround for my printing over the network.  I need to rebuild my Proxmox instances this week due to not being able to upgrade it to the newest version.  Tried everything I know, and it is a no go.  I need to do it anyway.  I need to upgrade the ram and the hard drives in that box and well lol!  I did however get samba working.  It will make it easier to get files moved over to the server without using a thumbdrive.  I might get FTP setup on that box too.  Everything is behind a firewall so let's give it a go!

AdGuard F.Y.I.

Okay

I had been having an issue with my Google Nest device the last couple of days that I thought was an issue with the power going out in my house several times in the last 10 days but no, it was AdGuard that was causing the problem.

Take note that embeddedassistant.googleapis.com is required to be unblocked for that device to work properly.  Hopefully I have fixed the issue.

Live and learn lol!

HumpDay

Well, it is Wednesday, and I am almost done for the week.  I was not able to get Nessus installed but I did get Crowdsec setup and running on a couple of devices in my environment.

Still working on my AdGuard Home setup as well as the Twingate setup.  AdGuard has sped up my internet browsing alot but still needs more tweaking . So many tools and so little time lol!

Happy Monday

Okay

Today I think I will try and get a SIEM setup again in my homelab.  Need to decide between Wazuh of Nessus.  Here we go!

Almost

Well I did not get a lot done the last couple of days.  Storms in Texas causing power outages all over.  I did, however, get my resume done and worked on my profiles for other online sites.  Not as productive as I wanted but I will take what I can get for now.

Now I will spend the rest of the day watching vidoes on wireshark and nmap.  Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL

Okay

I have been working on this blogger site for 90 minutes now and can't quite figure out why my post's are displaying weird.  I try to change the settings on the blogger site but still the same thing.  I think I have a workaround for this which I am trying now.  worked on the previous post lol.

Ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Okay

It has come to my attention that I need to post more on this blog.  I know over the past several years I have been really bad at doing that which I blamed primarily on my job which I don't have anymore.  so I don't have an excuse now.  It was also brought to my attention that I can use this as a forum for posting my achievements while I work to get a new job so here we go!

Day 1

Finished by install of AdGuard Home and still working out the settings.  I did notice that it is bad at blocking Google ads even when you put the url source for the ad.  Weird

I refuse to believe I have to block the entire google domain to resolve this issue.  I will now just start noting the sites with Google ads I am having the issue with and circle back on this at a later date.

Now I need to work on getting my install of Home Assistant done.  Hopefully by end of day Friday.

Then next week I work on getting Windows Server 2019 setup and learning that from the ground up!

First Day Back

Well it has been a while, and a lot has changed for me.  More to come later lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!