Automated lab setup on a Mac
Introduction Last time I built a single Kali workstation on the Mac by hand: install the VM, update it, duplicate it, keep the clone clean. That’s fine when you need one attacker box. It stops being fine the moment you want a target to point it at, and then a second target, and then a…
Attacker workstation on a Mac
Introduction I run my daily work off a MacBook, and for a while I told myself I could install nmap and a handful of tools straight onto macOS with Homebrew and call it a day. That works until the first time you run something you don’t fully understand yet against a target, on the same…
Passing the CompTIA Security+ exam
Introduction After a couple of weeks of studying, which I covered in the last few posts, I passed CompTIA Security+ last June (I schedule my posts, so dates don’t line up). Going by exam day alone, I’m not sure how. Checking in About a decade ago, I studied for quite a few CompTIA exams, and…
Security+ Governance, Risk, and Compliance
Introduction Last in this series! As you know by now, I’ve been working through the CompTIA Security+ curriculum these last few weeks. It has a lot of overlap with the Google Cybersecurity series I did earlier this year, but it’s all interesting interesting nevertheless. Here’s what module 4 (Cybersecurity Governance and Compliance) covers, distilled into…
Security+ Cybersecurity operations and controls
Introduction I spent a chunk of this week working through the operations and controls section of my CompTIA Security+ studies, and although the AI voice-over is annoying the f#ck out of me, it has some interesting material. Quick disclaimer: it has a lot of overlap with the Google Cybersecurity series I did earlier this year,…
Security+ Cybersecurity threats and defense
Introduction I’ve been working through the CompTIA Security+ curriculum and the second module, Cybersecurity Threats and Defense, covers more ground than I expected. It starts with the attack landscape and works its way through malware, physical intrusions, network exploitation, application vulnerabilities, detection techniques, defense architecture, and data security. Although it has a lot of overlap…
Security+ Information security foundations
Introduction I’ve been working through the CompTIA Security+ curriculum lately, starting with the information security foundations module. It covers a lot of ground, from the basics of the CIA triad all the way through to zero-day vulnerabilities and defensive monitoring. Rather than let those notes rot in a folder, I figured I’d write them up…
TryHackMe SEC0 quick win
Introduction I’ll be honest. I didn’t need to do this one. The TryHackMe SEC0 (Pre Security) certification is entry-level by design. It covers the basics: how the web works, networking fundamentals, Linux essentials, and a gentle intro to how attackers think. Nothing that was going to surprise someone who’s already spent years in platform engineering…