London, UK -  I work in cyber security but write about the broader technology landscape, looking past the hype to discover what works, what doesn't, and whether any of it truly improves our lives.

Recent blog posts

View all
Feed
AWS: Deploying a virtual network and server in the cloud
 -  Having worked on serveral projects involving Amazon Web Services (AWS) recently, but always at arm’s length, I decided to get a bit more hands-on. At worst this would give me a more practical grounding in managing cloud instances, and at best it w...
Cracking a password-protected ZIP file with fcrackzip
 -  I recently took part in a DFIR capture the flag with some colleagues. Participants were provided with a system disk image and asked to mount it and complete a number of challenges to discover various flags hidden within the data. Exercises like th...
Network connections and packet crafting on the Linux command line
 -  The problem with taking leave during a pandemic is that there are very few places you can go that don’t present an unnecessary risk. For me at least, the thought of taking a plane abroad wasn’t appealing, and neither were the Tube journeys that wo...
Technicolor TG582n router: The missing event logging manual
 -  What started as curiosity has turned into something of a labour of love. Online information about the Technicolor TG582n router’s event logging capabilities is scarce, and scattered across a number of forums. I’ve used that information along with ...
Welcome to a new website with a new philosophy
 -  You may have noticed that things have changed around here - I built a new website, following the ethos that it should be as clear, lightweight, and fast as possible while respecting visitors’ privacy by keeping outside scripts and tracking to a mi...
Why virtual cyber security conferences should be the new normal
 -  
SANS FOR508: I’m now a GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst
 -  
Setting up Pi-hole to rein in an extremely noisy Samsung Smart TV
 -  
Long-form – HTTPS and VPNs: How private is your internet browsing?
 -  
A slightly geeky trip to Edinburgh: Castles, museums, and Star Wars
 -  

📓

Field Notes newsletter

A monthly roundup of my latest writing, plus exclusive links and observations

Categories

Index & projects

Blog index

Thinking about

Digital journalism
Coincidentally, in the space of a week I encountered both Zach Seward's article about Quartz and Craig Mod's excellent podcasts with Tim Ferriss. Both evoked fond memories of my time in journalism and the buzz surrounding digital journalism and media in the 2010s

Interests

  • Cyber security
  • Tech
  • Python
  • PowerShell
  • JavaScript
  • F1
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Psychology
  • Philosophy
  • Exercise
  • Running
  • Gaming
  • Football
  • Music
  • Guitar