April 27, 2025

Exposing Services Safely with Cloudflared Tunnels

Self-hosting applications and services is more popular than ever, but it comes with a big challenge: how do you safely expose those services to the Internet without compromising your network?

Traditionally, exposing a service involved opening ports on your firewall or router. While simple, this method can create major security risks if not configured perfectly. Exposing open ports directly to the Internet increases the attack surface for bad actors to find and exploit vulnerabilities.

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September 29, 2024

How to Select the Right Backup Version and Search for Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) During a Ransomware Recovery

Ransomware attacks are a nightmare for any organization, encrypting critical files and rendering them inaccessible. The most reliable way to recover from such attacks is often through backups—provided that the backups themselves are not compromised. However, selecting the correct backup version to restore and ensuring it’s free of ransomware-related Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) is critical to a clean and safe recovery.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to choose the best backup version for recovery and how to search your backups for IoCs before restoring them to avoid reintroducing malware into your systems.

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August 6, 2024

How It Really Works The "Magic" Behind CatPosters.us

Introduction

Welcome back to GregVedders.com, where we reveal the definitely-not-secret secrets behind CatPosters.us, the world-renowned gallery of photorealistic cat images. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on the “complex” and “technologically advanced” processes that bring these feline masterpieces to life. Spoiler alert: it’s not as magical as it seems!

The “State-of-the-Art” AI and ML System

At CatPosters.us, we don’t just rely on any old technology—we use the finest buzzwords money can buy, like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). Specifically, we’ve harnessed the power of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), or as we like to call them, “Fancy Digital Cat Conjurors.”

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July 4, 2024

Advanced Splunk Techniques for Beginners

Welcome to the fascinating world of Splunk, a robust tool that converts machine data into insights that can help guide operational intelligence and business decisions. This post is designed for beginners eager to expand their Splunk knowledge.

Getting Started with Splunk

Splunk is a software platform used for searching, monitoring, and analyzing machine-generated data via a web-style interface. Setting up Splunk is straightforward:

Download and install the free version from their official website.
Launch the program and navigate through the setup, including creating an admin account.

Fundamental Splunk Commands

Splunk’s power is in its search capabilities, powered by the Splunk Processing Language (SPL). Here’s a basic command example:

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Posts

Exploring the Star Wars Lo-Fi Playlist on Spotify

For many fans, the Star Wars saga is more than just a series of movies—it’s an immersive universe filled with unforgettable characters, epic battles, and iconic music. While John Williams’ legendary score has always been a key component of the Star Wars experience, there’s a new way to enjoy the sounds of the galaxy far, far away: the Star Wars Lo-Fi Playlist on Spotify. This unique collection blends the familiarity of Star Wars themes with the relaxing, chill vibes of lo-fi music, creating a perfect backdrop for studying, working, or simply unwinding. Let’s dive into what makes this playlist a must-listen for Star Wars enthusiasts and lo-fi lovers alike.

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Posts

The Impact of Weather on Outdoor Photography

Weather conditions play a crucial role in outdoor photography, significantly influencing the outcome of your shots. From the dramatic lighting of a stormy sky to the soft hues of a foggy morning, understanding how different weather conditions affect photography can help you capture stunning images. In this post, we’ll explore various weather types, offer tips for shooting in different conditions, discuss how to adapt your techniques, and showcase real-life examples of weather photography. Embrace the elements and elevate your outdoor photography!

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Posts

Understanding Focal Length in Photography

Photography is an art form that allows us to capture the world around us in unique and beautiful ways. One of the key concepts in photography that can greatly affect your images is focal length. But what exactly is focal length, and how does it impact your photos? Let’s break it down in a simple and easy-to-understand manner.

What is Focal Length?

Focal length is a term used to describe the distance between the lens and the image sensor when the subject is in focus. It is usually measured in millimeters (mm). This measurement determines how much of the scene will be captured and how large the subjects will appear in the frame.

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Posts

Setting Up Your Hugo Site with Code-Server and Front Matter

If you’re looking to develop a Hugo site with a smooth and efficient workflow, using code-server with the Front Matter extension can be a game-changer. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started.

Prerequisites

Before we dive in, ensure you have the following tools installed:

code-server: A cloud-based version of Visual Studio Code.
Hugo: A popular static site generator.
Front Matter: A VS Code extension for managing markdown content.

Step 1: Setting Up code-server

First, let’s install and start code-server. Open your terminal and run:

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June 1, 2024

Capture Your Best Self

Taking headshot photos can be a rewarding experience, and I’m excited to share some tips and tricks to help you capture your best self. Whether you’re updating your professional profile or just want a great photo for personal use, these guidelines will make the process enjoyable and successful.

The Quest for the Perfect Light

Lighting is key to a great headshot. Natural light is your best friend, so find a spot near a window or head outside during the golden hour (just after sunrise or before sunset). The soft, warm light during these times casts a gentle, flattering glow, avoiding the harsh shadows of midday sun.

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