#Cybersecurity Background Checks

[sgrji]

A Comprehensive Guide to Background Verification (BGV) in Today's World

In our increasingly interconnected and digitized world, the importance of ensuring the trustworthiness and credibility of individuals and entities has never been greater. Background Verification (BGV) plays a pivotal role in this process. From employment screenings to tenant checks, and even in the realm of cybersecurity, BGV is a critical tool used to evaluate the history and reliability of…

[johndoe2024]

Is your asian girlfriend being honest? AsiaCheck.Online

AsiaCheck.online is your trusted partner for thorough background checks and cybersecurity solutions throughout Asia. Our goal is to foster trust and transparency in both personal and business interactions, protecting you from potential fraud and uncertainties.

To learn more, visit AsiaCheck.online.

[rubyvhs]

you could be bad ch1 | dean winchester

SUMMARY. a wrong number has you winded for an entire month NOTES. okay guys, here’s my little baby, so excited for this. covers my ‘mistaken identity’ square for @jacklesversebingo TAGS. 1.5k words, angst, death. Series masterlist

june 

unkown: hey, i’m waiting outside.

you: great let me just get dressed

and ask what the fuck you’re doing outside my apartment

unknown: jo?

you: nop.

unknown: shit i got the wrong number.

sorry, total accident.

i am definitely not outside your apartment.

you: i would sure hope so.

and i also hope you find your jo friend’s number since you seem to be really great at keeping track of them!!

unknown: haha, very funny.

i guess this is an old burner phone or something, i don’t know how i messed that up.

you: okay well

keep me posted on your date anyway.

unknown: how’d you know it was a date? 

and why would you wanna talk to me again? this is breaking every rule for cybersecurity ever created.

you: i like living on the edge

also you kinda just give off those vibes 

unknown: i give off ‘date’ vibes?

you: yep. go get ‘em, tiger!

unknown: sammy, whrs my car

i swr to god if you don’t get me baby m gonna kill u

you: hi again

i am, in fact, not sammy. nor jo. 

you: did you die?

unknown: i should’ve guessed

sorry again, texting while driving isn’t a good idea

you: yeah it isn’t. you almost gave me a heart attack.

unknown: you don’t even know me.

you: i still don’t want you dead

unknown: how would you know? what if i was a really bad person?

you: … are you?

unknown: idk. i guess it depends on what you consider bad.

you: murder. i consider murder bad. 

unknown: then nah, haven’t reached that level.

you: then you’re an okay person, everything else can be looked past. 

so as i was saying, don’t fucking die.

also, how was your date?

unknown: so great that i was texting my brother on the way home hours early

you: sammy’s your brother?

unknown: sam but yes.

you: what happened?

unknown: there was an emergency with her mum so i drove her back to the bar. her mother wasn’t too happy to find out i’m the guy she was out with.

you: oh, that sucks. does that mean you’re not that good of a person? 

no offense lol

unknown: none taken, kinda true. i don’t think i’m tradition ‘take home to the family’ guy.

you: you’re a guy??

unknown: are you not a woman?

you: yeah, i am. wow, we’re learning so much about each other. next tell me what color shoes you’re wearing.

unknown: you’re funny

you: i can do stand up comedy if i try, obviously i don’t try though.

unknown: ah, of course, why would you.

wait, sammy responded.

you: go get ’baby’! 

cat? mother? sister? best friend? (i hope it isn’t a girlfriend) 

unknown: car.

and i’m on my way there.

dean, by the way.

you: dean?

unknown: my name. 

what’s yours?

you: i think a quick look at truecaller can do the trick. night, dean!

dean: gt door

you: now it’s just ridiculous.

it’s been three days since you last spoke to me and the first thing you ask is for me to get the door. i never took you for the rude type.

dean: sorry, just woke up.

you: ehh, don’t have to be. i’m actually super awake anyway.

why are you asleep? it’s nine.

dean: stayed up late last night.

going back to sleep.

you: night, dean!

dean: night.

dean: [1 attachment]

[ image description : a tanned hand holding onto a half eaten pack of cayenne beef jerky, with his shoes in the background. It looks like he’s in his car. on the top right corner of the picture there’s some handwritten text, very hard to read but roughly says ‘dnt frgt, bitch’. ]

you: be honest.

do you just not check your contact ever? 

go eenie meenie miney mo and press send? i won’t be mad, i just want the truth.

dean: shit shit shit.

i have no idea how this keeps happening.

you: it’s okay, i don’t mind.

dean: you don’t?

you: i’m actually very very bored right now so yes, i don’t mind. work is kicking my ass so thanks for the distraction.

dean: work?

you: yep! i sadly have rent. pa at my old uni.

dean: that’s fun

how old are you?

you: how old are YOU?

dean: yeah you might need to answer first.

you: no way

dean: fine, whatever. 36.

you: hi grandpa.

i’m twenty six.

dean: you’re only ten years younger.

you: and yet i’m wiser.

dean: now that’s just not true.

you: and how would you know? i’m very wise, ask any of my friends.

dean: and how many friends do you have?

you: so many.

like a whole 2.

dean: wow. impressive.

you: okay mr. stranger. how many friends do you have then?

and i’m not talking like people you like to have around i’m talking FRIENDS.

dean: two.

but i’m older, circle of friends thins with age, you’re still young.

you: honestly not that much younger, but yeah, i don’t know. mostly still have my sister though so that’s what’s matters. 

dean: yeah, i get that. 

you: you’re close with your brother?

dean: yes, we work together.

you: really? that’s so cool! my sister’s like four years younger than me so as much as i would kill to work with her, we’re not at the same level.

dean: sam’s four years younger than me too. but there isn’t much of a difference between us. at a certain age it’s all just the same.

you: i totally get what you’re saying.

okay, dean i need to go because said sister is screaming at me, but!! if i ever see you texting me cause of a wrong number situation again i will get so angry, okay?

dean: yes ma’am.

you: whatever, stupid.

dean: hey, saw your number in bobby’s phone today. you’re a hunter?

you: a what?

dean: you don’t have to pretend, i’m a hunter too. i know why you didn’t tell me but i would’ve though you heard of me.

you: okay… why? are you popular? notorious? i’ve never heard of you before you texted me, dean.

and how do you even know bobby?

dean: how do you know him?

you: a friend of a friend. and bobby’s a mechanic, what the hell is he doing with a hunter.

dean: sorry, i think it got it wrong. he used to hunt with my dad and i do it professionally now. but i would’ve thought you heard about my dad, i meant. him and bobby used to be close.

you: who’s your dad?

dean: john winchester.

you: never heard of him. i’ve heard of dean winchester though. 

dean: really?

you: yes. i mean there’s like a thousand deans so i didn’t wanna assume but bobby used to talk about you and sam. he’s always doing something for the two of you. 

dean: we hunt lots of wild animals, we usually need his help.

you: right. because bobby’s the most flexible person on the planet.

dean: research wise. we need him research wise. 

you: okay. what were you doing there? and why’d you just assume i hunt too? i already told you i’m a pa.

dean: i don’t know, i just assumed. me and sammy went to pick up some stuff for another hunt we’re going on next week.

you: in a few days?

dean: yeah, on monday.

you: be careful please.

and have fun, i guess. mostly be careful.

dean: we will. tell bobby i say hi when you see him next time.

you: will do. and i’ll also ask for baby pictures. 

dean: ha ha

you: isn’t it the craziest coincidence that you texted me? what’s that about? what are the odds we end up having a mutual friend?

dean: I know a lot of people, it’s not that crazy to me.

night.

you: night, dean.

you: [1 attachment]

[ image description : a stray cat sitting on your lap, her head snuggled into your shirt, your hand stroking her fur, the new pink nail set obvious on your manicured hand. under the cat is your mini skirt with see through tights. ]

dean: new leggings?

you: you asshole

isn’t she so cute?

dean: someone’s cute alright

you: not funny

you lost pic privileges.

also you’re working? and texting? 

when will you ever learn, dean.

dean: how about never? 

besides, you worry too much, i’m more than okay. 

you: tell sam hi for me and to keep an eye out for you because you’re going to get yourself eaten

dean: eaten?

you: wild animals are no joke.

dean: oh yeah, that’s what i heard too.

thank god i have you to tell sammy to take care of me.

you: take care please.

dean: don’t doubt it.

dean: i think you’re asleep.

that would probably make a lot of sense cause it’s three in the morning

but i guess i needed to talk to you

you: me?

dean: hey why are you awake?

you: cause i have insomnia 

why are you awake?

dean: just got home

do you actually?

you: no, just drank too much redbull trying to finish correcting these stupid papers. tell me what you wanted to talk about.

dean: yeah but i thought you’d be asleep

you: would it be better if i shut my phone off and wait for you to finish before i read it?

dean: no it’s fine

but you’re sweet for offering, angel

you: thank you

or whatever

dean: yeah, so you wanna hear it or not?

you: yes please

dean: remember jo?

you: your girlfriend?

dean: we tried going on one date but her mum didn’t approve and honestly i think she only liked me because of the whole off limits thing. she’s a great girl but our dads had problems so maybe it translated to how she viewed me. i’m not sure, i just know she’s gone now.

you: so you guys were together? ever since you texted me thinking i’m her?

dean: yeah. not together together, but i went out with her. i tried giving her what she wants but her mother is so hell bent on making her hate me and i don’t wanna bridge a gap between them. she’s her mother.

you: right because mums are the most important people in the world.

dean: i loved my mum.

i still think about her everyday.

you: oh dean, i’m so sorry. 

dean: it’s fine. anyway, how was your day?

you: was okay. i’ll go to sleep. good night, dean. 

dean: oh, night.

dean: ha, sam says he saw you at bobby’s

for the love of my impala tell me that it isn’t true. my baby brother could not have seen you before i did.

you: yeah, i met him. he’s really nice. told me about your contractor job. seemed really interesting. also told me about how you talked about me, mentioned that my name came up when you were asking for help with your car. apparently i’m a mechanic now.

dean: fuck, angel.

i’m sorry.

you: no problem at all.

dean: look i can explain everything. i promise.

you: no thanks

join my taglist. @daylighted @starrylanex @losers-clvb

[izooks]

Some of Joe Biden’s accomplishments:

**Domestic policy**

* **American Rescue Plan (2021)**: Provided $1.9 trillion in COVID-19 relief, including direct payments, enhanced unemployment benefits, and funding for vaccines and testing.

* **Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021)**: Allocated $1.2 trillion for infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, broadband, and clean energy initiatives.

* **Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (2022)**: Expanded background checks for gun purchases and provided funding for mental health services.

* **Child Tax Credit Expansion (2021-2022)**: Temporarily expanded the Child Tax Credit to provide up to $3,600 per child in monthly payments.

* **Affordable Care Act Expansion (2021)**: Made health insurance more affordable for low- and middle-income Americans by reducing premiums and expanding subsidies.

**Foreign Policy**

* **Withdrawal from Afghanistan (2021)**: Ended the 20-year war in Afghanistan.

* **Re-joining the Paris Agreement (2021)**: Re-committed the United States to global efforts to address climate change.

* **Strengthening Alliances with NATO and the EU (2021-present)**: Repaired relationships with key European allies after strained relations during the Trump administration.

* **Supporting Ukraine in the Ukraine-Russia War (2022-present)**: Provided military, humanitarian, and diplomatic support to Ukraine in its defense against Russia's invasion.

* **Nuclear Deal with Iran (2023)**: Revived negotiations with Iran on a comprehensive nuclear deal, aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

**Other Notable Accomplishments**

* **Appointing Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court (2022)**: Made history by being the first Black woman appointed to the nation's highest court.

* **Signing the Respect for Marriage Act (2022)**: Ensured federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages.

* **Establishing the Office of the National Cyber Director (2021)**: Coordinated federal efforts to combat cybersecurity threats.

* **Creating the COVID-19 National Preparedness Plan (2021)**: Developed a comprehensive strategy to respond to future pandemics.

* **Launching the Cancer Moonshot (2022)**: Re-energized the government's efforts to find a cure for cancer.

[spacepilotleela]

Why I can’t stand the Pelant Arc

Christopher Pelant is probably one of the most dangerous villains in Bones, presented as being a total computer master hacker and all-around deranged individual. Though the idea of a hacker villain is very interesting, the way it was executed is infuriating. It’s clear that nobody in the writer's room knew how malware and computers work in the real world.

I am not an expert in computer science, but I am currently a cybersecurity and computer networking operations major, I’m not very far in so my knowledge is limited but I do have a basic understanding of how malware works.

You cannot code malware onto a bone, that is not how computers work, and it’s not how malware works. There is more than one type of malware and they all work differently but there is not a single type of malware that could be coded onto a bone.

Malware can be hidden in an image file, this is entirely possible but not the way that it happened in Bones. Angela did not download anything to her computer that could have had a virus hidden in it. When Angela scanned the images of the bone into her computer, she created a brand new image file with a picture of code in it. A picture of code cannot harm your computer. I could print out the code for a virus, scan it into my computer, and make it my desktop background and absolutely nothing would happen because it’s not actually code. It’s no more harmful than a picture of a kitten.

The suspension of disbelief on the possibility of what Pelant does is not difficult for someone who doesn’t know about the way that malware works but once you understand even the basics it very quickly falls apart.

The one very unlikely possibility is that Pelant somehow wrote a QR code of sorts into the bone that led Angela’s computer to download and execute a file. I do not believe that is the case though, as for Angela’s computer to automatically open QR codes automatically download whatever without even checking for a confirmation, and automatically run anything downloaded without checking, would require awful cybersecurity on her machine.

Considering that Angela is shown to be proficient in computer science and how advanced her computer is supposed to be, I refuse to believe that she could be that stupid and have a computer that just downloaded anything it was promoted to download without some type of check. She works with the federal government, there is no way her system could be that insecure.

For the malware on the bone to work it would have to magically have been linked to an executable file of some type. I say magical because this is not how real computers work. Malware on a bone is about as realistic as if Pelant tattooed the virus onto his ass and infected the computer by scanning his cheeks on a printer.

[cyberstudious]

A Beginner's Guide to Learning Cybersecurity

I created this post for the Studyblr Masterpost Jam, check out the tag for more cool masterposts from folks in the studyblr community!

(Side note: this post is aimed towards the technical side of security, rather than the governance/management side, because the tech stuff is what I'm familiar with.)

Where do I start?

Cybersecurity is a specialization of general tech & therefore builds on some concepts that you'll need to know before you can dive deep into security. It's good to have a background in and understand:

how computers & operating systems work

how to use Linux

computer networking & basic protocols

If you're serious about learning cybersecurity, it can be helpful to look at certifications. Even if you don't want to get certified or take the exam (they can get expensive), they provide you with a list of topics that you can use to guide your self-study. And if you want to find a job, a certification is practically required for getting your foot in the door.

I personally recommend the CompTIA series of certifications, because they're well-recognized and I think they expose you to a good breadth and depth of material to get you started. Start with the A+ certification if you have zero tech background. Start with the Network+ certification if you've never taken a networking course. Once you get your basic computer and networking knowledge down, then you can jump into security. The Security+ is a good starting point.

Do I need to know how to code?

No, but it would be really really helpful. You don't have to be a skilled software engineer, but understanding the basics and being able to write small scripts will give you a solid foundation.

From Daniel Miessler's post How to Build a Cybersecurity Career:

You can get a job without being a programmer. You can even get a good job. And you can even get promoted to management. But you won’t ever hit the elite levels of infosec if you cannot build things. Websites. Tools. Proofs of concept. Etc. If you can’t code, you’ll always be dependent on those who can.

How do I gain skills?

Play Capture the Flag (CTF) games.

Stay up to date with security news via an RSS reader, podcasts, or whatever works for you. Research terms that you're unfamiliar with.

Watch conference talks that get uploaded to YouTube.

Spin up a VM to practice working with tools and experiment on your own computer.

There are lots of brilliant, generous people in cybersecurity who share their knowledge and advice for free. Find their blogs, podcasts, and YouTube channels. Look for local meetups in your area.

I'm still relatively new to the field, but I have a general knowledge of lots of different things, so feel free to send me an ask and I can probably help point you to some resources. We're all in this together!

Previous Cybersecurity Masterposts

An Introduction to Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Book Masterpost

Free Cybersecurity Learning Resources Masterpost

Masterpost of Study Tips for Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Tools Masterpost

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the #StudyblrMasterpostJam this week! It was wonderful to see what other studyblr folks are passionate about. The jam technically ends today but there are no official rules, so if you've been thinking about writing a masterpost, this is your sign!

[the-empress-7]

He gets protection in public in UK. He wants protection 24h. Protected house, background checks, social media monitoring and information from the MI services. Bodyguard from the government, cybersecurity. includes information about foreign dangers and people putting out treats on social media.

I wonder if Harold gets "the willies" (pun intended) every time his brother visits MI6 😂.

LOL

[pigeontakeover]

Musk aides locked government workers out of computer systems, and start raiding employee data

I don't get how an unelected person, who hasn't been background checked and approved by congress, now has the power to lock federal employees out of their own computers and start sifting through their files. My guess it's so they can start tossing out employees who they think will fight their new agenda, or make a list of trans employees etc.

From article:

The systems include a vast database called Enterprise Human Resources Integration, which contains dates of birth, Social Security numbers, appraisals, home addresses, pay grades and length of service of government workers, the officials said.

"We have no visibility into what they are doing with the computer and data systems," one of the officials said. "That is creating great concern. There is no oversight. It creates real cybersecurity and hacking implications."

[antiadvil]

disclaimer: I have a technical background and I wrote a server once but I am not an expert in networking or cybersecurity. check AO3_Status on twitter for up to date information from the OTW people

so i see a lot of people saying not to refresh ao3 while it’s being DDoSed, and that’s kind of true. i would recommend not doing it mainly because refreshing a site that’s being DDoSed is frustrating and there are better things to do with your time.

however, attempting to use the site will not cause any damage. first of all, the number of requests an actual human can send ao3 is nothing compared to the number of requests a botnet can send. secondly, it’s just not how DDoS attacks work- a DDoS attack brings a site down by sending it more requests than it can handle. this means some people trying to send legitimate requests can’t access the site because the server is too busy handling bogus requests. there’s no reason that a DDoS attack should cause any actual permanent damage to the website. adding more traffic on top of a DDoS doesn’t really do much unless you are being another source of DoSing. mealing like, don’t refresh literally every second.

if this was a really important piece of infrastructure people might say not to use it unless you absolutely have to so that you can increase the likelihood that people who really need it can access it, like, if someone was trying to DDoS 911, it would be a really bad idea to keep calling 911 just to see if you can get through. but this is a fanfic website, not 911, so you should be good.

usually this downtime results in lost revenue/etc, but ao3 doesn’t rely on traffic for its revenue, so... yeah idk what the point of this thing is, other than to harass the OTW ppl trying to fix it. it’s all very odd.

TLDR: trying to use ao3 right now is not going to help at all but it won’t really hurt either. i recommend doing something else for your sanity but if you really want to keep checking it’s not going to hurt anything

[dy-patil-university-navi-mumbai]

Best MBA Tech Colleges in Mumbai: Your Guide to Technology Management MBA

In today's fast-paced digital era, businesses are rapidly integrating technology into their core operations. As a result, professionals with expertise in both management and technology are in high demand. If you are looking for the best MBA Tech colleges in Mumbai, this guide will help you understand the significance of this program and where you can pursue it.

Why Choose an MBA in Technology Management?

A Technology Management MBA program blends business strategies with advanced technical knowledge. This specialized course equips students with essential skills to manage technology-driven enterprises, oversee IT projects and drive digital transformation across industries. Companies today require leaders who understand business and technology, making this degree a valuable asset for aspiring professionals.

Key Features of an MBA in Technology Management

Comprehensive Curriculum: The course covers subjects like data analytics, AI applications, cybersecurity management, digital marketing and business intelligence.

Industry-Relevant Training: Students engage in real-world case studies, industry projects and internships to gain practical exposure.

High Demand for Graduates: With industries such as fintech, e-commerce, healthcare and manufacturing adopting digital strategies, graduates find ample job opportunities.

Global Career Prospects: The degree offers career growth in both national and international markets, opening doors to roles like technology consultants, product managers and IT strategists.

Top Institutes Offering MBA in Technology Management in Mumbai

Mumbai, being the financial and technological hub of India, houses some of the finest institutions for an MBA in technology management. These institutes provide world-class education, state-of-the-art infrastructure and strong industry connections to enhance learning experiences.

Choosing the Right College

When selecting an institute, consider the following factors:

Accreditations & Rankings: Opt for universities recognized by AICTE, UGC, or other reputable bodies.

Faculty Expertise: Check for experienced professors with industry backgrounds.

Placement Records: Look at the university’s past placement data and recruiter list.

Infrastructure & Facilities: A tech-driven campus with modern labs and digital learning tools adds to the overall experience.

DY Patil University: The Ideal Choice

When it comes to pursuing an MBA Tech colleges in Mumbai, DY Patil University (DYPU) stands out as a premier institute. Known for its cutting-edge curriculum, global collaborations and state-of-the-art campus, DYPU offers a Technology Management MBA Mumbai program designed to cater to modern industry needs. The university has a strong focus on innovation, research, and experiential learning, ensuring that students graduate as industry-ready professionals.

With world-class faculty, global partnerships and outstanding placement opportunities, DYPU is the ideal destination for aspiring technology leaders.

If you are ready to take your career to the next level, DY Patil University is the place to be!

[weathernerdmando]

Intro post, cause why not?

Hi! I'm Jace (he/they/ey/em). I'm queer as hell, a bigender trans dude (dude with a side of agender), arospec and asexual, and the amazing, lovely @impartialbias is my fiancé! (Shes amazing, and she's also an incredibly talented artist, please go check her out and if you're interested commission her!!).

Gonna go ahead and state this to make it crystal clear - I am very much pro-ship because I understand fiction is not real life, and I'm not a fan of censorship for the most part. If that's not your jam, feel free to not interact. Or do, I don't control you, but you've been given a heads up. Along those lines, I am generally what you'd call "inclusionist" regarding the queer community - barring obvious bad faith bullshit like "MAPS" (that's not queer. That's pedophilia. Fuck all the way off with that). Labels are personal and I have experienced too much exclusionism on the basis of being ace alone to be okay with that.

I'm autistic and ADHD, and I have (at least therapist confirmed) OCD as well. Thought that was just the autistic need to line things up and have them be "right" for a while until I got stuck in a cleaning loop of a pot that I was going to try and cook hotdogs in....yeah, turns out it's OCD too.

I'm also dealing with some physical disabilities as well - currently just got the hypermobility syndrome diagnosis, but we suspect hypermobile ehlers danlos type, waiting on a call from genetics atm to finish ruling other things out first, as well as POTS (turns out your heart rate isn't supposed to go from 65 to 110 laying down to sitting up, and then only drop to 105 when standing. And stuff like laundry, and just standing around isn't supposed to be physically exhausting....haha....). Tentatively officially diagnosed until my POTS clinic appointment hopefully summer of 2025. I do use a cane and braces.

I'm autistic so obviously we gotta mention the special interests. Star Wars is my main one at the moment but rotates out for Alex Rider, Doctor Who and a couple other things on occasion. Weather is always present in the background too lol.

I graduated college and got my first career type job!!! I work on weather stations across my state! I want to finish out my cybersecurity degree, and get a meteorology degree, probably masters, too. I was the general manager of a store (which is a whole series of events, my first manager was great, the one we unionized against I took over from after we kind of made her she quit was not), but corporate closed us and two others down, and now I work with the research weather stations! Eventually I think I want to go long term into data assimilation as part of meteorology, but that's long term.

I tag any personal events going on with "#personal shit" but unless specifically noted I don't mind commentary, reblogs, etc. I tag that to track it so i can find it more easily. I do tag stuff about pots, eds and such with pots syndrome, heds, ehlers danlos but usually personal shit as well. The most consistent tag is gonna be the personal shit one, lol.

[mariacallous]

Thousands of ads on Facebook and Instagram have promoted “fuel filters” using videos demonstrating how they can be easily modified into gun silencers—a process that, without federal approval, could lead to felony charges. Despite Meta’s policies banning ads for silencers on the company’s social networks, the promotions have persisted for years, driven by a what appears to be a single network of more than 100 Facebook pages marketing “fuel filters” that can be easily turned into gun silencers, WIRED has found. The devices sell for as little as $50.

Silencers, also known as suppressors, are heavily regulated under United States federal law. Purchasing one legally requires submitting fingerprints, passing a background check, and paying a fee to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Federal law allows people to build their own suppressors, provided they register the device with the ATF. But the ads don’t mention this key stipulation, marketing silencers to buyers who may not understand the legal risks.

“You know those things that are definitely not suppressors, even though they look just like suppressors,” a man says in a video that appears in many of the ads. “Well, but they’re still not suppressors, because they don’t have a hole in the other end. So, you can legally own one without going through the paperwork to own a suppressor, because it isn’t one.”

The ads often recycle the same text, referencing “light and durable air-grade aluminum,” and use videos stitched together from a handful of YouTube clips featuring firearms influencers and enthusiasts. The original creators of these videos are likely unaware their content is being used; one tells WIRED they had deleted the footage from YouTube years ago.

One ad features a suppressor engraved with the words Black Collar Arms. A co-owner of Black Collar Arms, who goes by Jeremy McSorely, tells WIRED his company has no connection to the ad. McSorely explains that the footage was taken from a blog and YouTube video he had uploaded years ago but has since removed. “The photos you saw were screenshots taken from my video,” he says, emphasizing that the suppressor was legally manufactured and engraved with their corporate information to comply with ATF regulations.

In November 2023, the ATF warned federal firearms licensees about marketing silencers as “solvent traps,” or contraptions purportedly used to collect gun oil and residue during cleaning. The agency clarified that legality depends on functionality, not what you call a product, and stressed that even incomplete parts intended for silencers are regulated under federal law.

“The test for whether an item is a silencer is not the label a manufacturer or retailer applies. Rather, it is the way the statute written by Congress applies to the item,” the ATF wrote, referring to definitions of suppressors in the Gun Control Act and the National Firearms Act.

A WIRED analysis of more than 2,800 ads revealed they are linked to a network of hundreds of ecommerce websites. These sites often reuse code, share IP addresses, and peddle the same low-quality knockoff products alongside the “fuel filters.” At least one of the sites was flagged by Google as a likely phishing scam.

Experts believe the operation is based in China and relies on a drop-shipping scheme. “It’s likely just a reshipper selling controversial or illegal products,” says Zach Edwards, a senior threat researcher at cybersecurity firm Silent Push who specializes in online data ecosystems.

Typically, Edwards explains, drop-shippers wait for a customer to place an order, then purchase the item from inexpensive online retailers, repackage it, and ship it to the customers. Edwards says that the operator behind the network is likely creating hundreds of websites, applying a moderate markup to the products, and spinning up Facebook pages to promote their items. “Even if some sites or ads get caught and taken down, others keep running,” Edwards says. “It’s a spray-and-pray method.”

Meta explicitly bans ads promoting weapons, silencers, and related modifications. According to Meta, ads are reviewed by an automated system with support from human moderators. However, enforcement has been inconsistent: While at least 74 of the ad campaigns in our analysis were removed for violating the platforms’ terms, the rest appeared to have run successfully.

After WIRED reached out to Meta, the company said that it removed the ads and associated advertising accounts. However, a quick search of Meta’s Ad Library revealed that nearly identical ones have since been published.

“Bad actors constantly evolve their tactics to avoid enforcement, which is why we continue to invest in tools and technology to help identify and remove prohibited content,” Meta spokesperson Daniel Roberts wrote in a statement.

Roberts says that many of the ads flagged by WIRED had little to no engagement, suggesting few people ever saw this content. However, at least two ads reviewed by WIRED had thousands of comments, including accusations that it was an ATF honeypot, complaints from self-identified buyers whose products never arrived, and even testimonials from others claiming the item worked as advertised. WIRED reached out to several commenters who said they had purchased the product—none responded.

The ads have also drawn the attention of US Department of Defense officials. An internal presentation to Pentagon staff, viewed by WIRED, claims that the targeted ad for a fuel filter had been served to US military personnel on a government computer at the Pentagon. The presentation, which a source says was delivered to high-ranking general officers, including the US Army’s chief information officer, raised flags over how social media algorithms are being used to target service members.

Meta’s Ad Library provides limited transparency, leaving it unclear exactly how these ads are targeted. Researchers suggest that Meta’s powerful ad tools, which allow advertisers to find niche audiences using granular targeting options, could be exploited to reach gun enthusiasts or military personnel. While Roberts confirmed that Meta did not detect any indication that these ads were targeting the military, WIRED found that advertisers can easily target users who list their job title as “US Army” or “military” on their profiles—an audience that Meta estimates includes up to 46,134 people.

Meta’s platforms have long struggled to prevent the sale of firearms and related products. An October 2024 joint report by the Tech Transparency Project found that more than 230 ads for rifles and ghost guns had run on Facebook and Instagram in nearly three months. Many of these ads directed buyers to third-party platforms like Telegram to complete transactions. In 2024, two Los Angeles County men were charged with operating an “unlicensed firearm dealing business” that used Instagram accounts to advertise and market the sale of more than 60 firearms, which included some untraceable ghost guns and weapons with scratched-off serial numbers. Both individuals have since pleaded guilty.

Silencers are rarely used in crimes, but their use is on the rise���nearly 5 million are registered in the United States, up from 1.3 million in 2017. Last month, 26-year-old software engineer Luigi Mangione allegedly used a 3D-printed gun equipped with a silencer to fatally shoot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a street in midtown Manhattan.

[alice86---86]

What can be done a a private investigator to acquire more knowledge and And Skill?

To become a private investigator (PI), specific educational requirements can vary depending on the jurisdiction, but generally, here's what you might study and do:

Education

High School Diploma or GED:

This is the minimum educational requirement.

Criminal Justice or Related Degrees: Many PIs pursue degrees in criminal justice, criminology, law enforcement, or a related field to gain foundational knowledge in investigative techniques, law, and ethics.Relevant Courses and Certification

Investigation Techniques:

Courses in surveillance, interviewing, evidence collection, and report writing.

Legal Studies: Understanding laws related to privacy, trespassing, and evidence admissibility.

Cybersecurity and Computer Forensics:

As many investigations now involve digital data.

Certification Programs:

Certifications like Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) or Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) can enhance credentials.

Licensing Requirements:Most states and countries require private investigators to be licensed. Licensing often involves passing an exam, background checks, and sometimes meeting work experience requirements.

Work Experience:

Many PIs gain experience by working in law enforcement, military, or security services before transitioning into private investigation.

Skills Development:Courses in psychology, communication, and conflict resolution can also be beneficial for dealing with clients and subjects of investigations.

Would you like more information on a specific aspect?

[cyberstudious]

Hey! This is very random, but I saw that you work in cyber security right now. I work in data science, but I'm really interested in cyber security and considering making a switch. I was wondering what kind of cybersecurity work you do, and what has been the most helpful for you to learn what you need for your job!

Hi! Cybersecurity is a really broad field, and you can do a lot of different things depending on what your interests are.

My work is mostly focused around automating things for security, since my background is in programming. Automation is really helpful for speeding up boring, monotonous tasks that need to get done, but don't necessarily need a human involved. A good example is automated phishing analysis, since phishing reports are a big chunk of the cases that security analysts have to deal with, and an analyst usually follows the same few steps at the beginning. Rather than someone having to manually check the reputation of the sender domain, check the reputation of any links, and all of that every single time, we can build tools to automatically scan for things like that and then present the info to the analyst. The whole idea here is to automate the boring data retrieval stuff, since computers are good at that, and give the analyst more time for decision-making and analysis, since humans are good at that.

If you're coming from data science, you might be interested in detection engineering. Cybersecurity is essentially a data problem - we have a ton of logs from a ton of different sources (internal logs, threat intelligence feeds, etc.) - how do we sort through that data to highlight things that we want to pay attention to, and how can we correlate events from different sources? If you're into software development or want to stay more on the data science side, maybe you could also look into roles for software development at companies that have SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) products - these are essentially the big log repositories that organizations rely on for correlation and alerting.

As for starting to learn security, my general go-to recommendation is to start looking through the material for the Security+ certification. For better or worse, certifications are pretty big in security, much more so than other tech fields (to my knowledge). I'm a bit more hesitant to recommend the Security+ now, since CompTIA (the company that offers it) was bought by a private equity company last year. Everyone is kind of expecting the prices to go up and the quality to go down. (The Security+ exam costs $404 USD as of writing this, and I think I took mine for like $135ish with a student discount in 2022). However, the Security+ is still the most well-known and comprehensive entry-level certification that I'm aware of. You can (and should) study for it completely for free - check out Professor Messer's training videos on YouTube. There are also plenty of books out there if that's more of your thing. I'd say to treat the Security+ as a way to get a broad overview of security and figure out what you don't know. (It's certainly not a magic ticket to a job, no matter what those expensive bootcamps will tell you.)

If you aren't familiar with networking, it's worth checking out Professor Messer's Network+ training videos as well. You don't need to know everything on there, but having an understanding of ports, protocols, and network components and design is super useful. I hear a lot that the best security folks are often the ones who come from IT or networking or similar and have a really solid understanding of the fundamentals and then get into security. Don't neglect the basics!

One thing that I'll also add, based on conversations I've had with folks in my network… getting a job in cybersecurity is harder now than it used to be, at least in the US (where I am). There are a ton of very well-qualified people who have been laid off who are now competing with people trying to get into the field in the first place, and with the wrecking ball that Elon is taking to the federal government (and by extension, government contractors) right now… it's hard. There's still a need for skilled folks in cyber, but you're going to run into a lot of those "5 years of experience required for this entry-level job" kind of job postings.

On a slightly happier note, another thing you should do if you want to get into cyber is to stay up to date with what's happening in the industry! I have a masterpost that has a section with some of my favorite news sources. The SANS Stormcast is a good place to start - it's a 5 minute podcast every weekday morning that covers most of the big things. Black Hills Infosec also does a weekly news livestream on YouTube that's similar (but longer and with more banter). Also, a lot of infosec folks hang out on Mastodon & in the wider fediverse. Let me know if you want some recs for folks to follow over there.

The nice thing about cybersecurity (and computer-related fields in general, I find) is that there are a ton of free resources out there to help you learn. Sometimes it's harder to find the higher-quality ones, but let me know if there are any topics you're interested in & I'll see what I can find. I have a few posts in my cybersecurity tag on here that might help.

Thank you for your patience, I know you sent this in over a week ago lol but life has been busy. Feel free to send any follow-up questions if you have any!

[the-empress-7]

He gets protection in public in UK. He wants protection 24h. Protected house, background checks, social media monitoring and information from the MI services. Bodyguard from the government, cybersecurity. includes information about foreign dangers and people putting out treats on social media.

In that case, he should move to North Korea and have Kim Jong-Un adopt him.

[kennislearningroutes]

6 Best Udemy Alternatives to Upskill in 2025 

“Because Learning Shouldn't Have Only One Door”

Udemy is a popular online learning platform that has been the talk of the town for years. Think of it this way: Amitabh Bachchan was not only a popular movie star of the 1970s. Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, and Jitendra were also the charms of the golden era.

Similarly, there are a variety of platforms offering online certification courses other than Udemy. This blog would uncover several of the best Udemy alternatives to power up your skills in 2025. Discover their names, key features, various courses they offer, and more. Let us dive into the blog to learn which online learning platform could be your ideal fit in 2025. So, are you ready?

Top 6 Udemy Alternatives: Your Ideal Fit for Smarter Online Learning 

Like Udemy, many platforms offer online courses with certificates. Here are some of the hand-picked globally renowned online learning platforms - “Best Udemy Alternatives”. Let's quickly check out:

1. Coursera: The Ivy League of Online Learning

One of the best Udemy alternatives is Coursera. It is a well-known MOOC platform that collaborates with esteemed universities such as Harvard and the University of Illinois to provide accredited certificates to its online learners. The platform also partners with global companies like Google, IBM, and Microsoft to provide professional online certificate courses, ensuring a job-oriented curriculum. 

Key Features of Coursera:

🔸 Offers a variety of courses in multiple niches such as cybersecurity, business, IT, AI, management, and even foreign languages.

🔸 Financial Aid available.

🔸 Provide accredited certificates from universities and MNCs.

🔸 Allow you to reset deadlines.

Ideal For:

✅ Learners seeking self-paced learning.

✅ Freshers and professionals with other commitments to fulfil.

Explore: Best Online Higher Education Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates

2. Udacity: Courses For Tech-Savvy Learners

Udacity is more of a tech-centric Udemy alternative. It offers you over 200 courses with a focus on the technology domain. Some of its courses may also provide virtual training experiences. If you are from a technical background or looking to upskill or reskill in IT fields, Udacity may be your ideal choice.

Key Features of Udacity:

🔸 Live mentorship from experts.

🔸 Offers learner surveys and customised learning paths.

🔸 Multiple learning support resources are available.

🔸 Comprehensive skills assessments.

Ideal For:

✅ Learners seeking a career in the technology industry.

✅ IT professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills.

3. FutureLearn: Global Classroom in Your Pocket

FutureLearn is a UK-based digital learning platform. It is one of the rising Udemy alternatives for short-duration courses. The platform also facilitates online degrees in collaboration with international universities. In addition to IT, business, and management, it offers a variety of courses in health care, psychology, and environmental science disciplines. Being among the Udemy alternatives, free, you can find here paid and unpaid courses with varied durations. 

Key Features of FutureLearn:

🔸 Collaboration with 200+ renowned institutions and educators.

🔸 Offers short courses, online degrees, and micro credentials.

🔸 Facilitates free digital  upgrade courses

🔸 Courses are available in multiple niches.

Ideal For:

✅ Students seeking short certificate courses.

✅ Learners looking for online degrees from recognised foreign institutes.

✅ Professionals want to upskill in their careers.

4. edX: Your Structured Learning for Serious Results

Another powerful Udemy alternative is edX. It offers high-quality courses in partnerships with international universities such as MIT and Harvard. While Udemy provides market-model courses, edX certification courses are structured and more professional. EdX also offers a variety of online master's degrees in collaboration with foreign education institutions. Specific free course options are also available. There are more benefits for paid courses.

Key Features of Coursera:

🔸 Offers professional certificates and degree courses.

🔸 Renowned academic partnerships.

🔸 It customises courses for free.

Ideal For:

✅ Students who want to gain a broader perspective on specific topics.

✅ Working professionals seeking a well-rounded curriculum and academic credentials.

5. HeroVired: India’s Online Learning Rising Star

HeroVired is a legacy of the globally renowned HERO Group. Founded in 2021, this edTech platform offers certification courses in collaboration with several top-notch organisations, such as Microsoft, edX, and Harvard University. It offers paid and free certifications in data science, technology, management, finance, and future tech. It is among the best Udemy alternatives India has to upskill in 2025. Most HeroVired paid courses and degrees ensure job interview and internship opportunities, making it a perfect online learning platform.

Key Features of Coursera:

🔸 Partnerships with renowned academic institutions and MNCs.

🔸 Offers accredited courses which are globally recognised.

🔸 Organise masterclasses from top industry experts.

🔸 Free as well as paid courses are available 

Ideal For:

✅ Fresh graduates want to earn an online degree with assured placement assistance.

✅ Working professionals want to elevate their careers.

Explore: HeroVired Certificate Programme in Data Analytics

6. Great Learning: India’s MOOC Marvel

Great Learning is another established online learning platform. This MOOC platform is one of the best Udemy alternatives and is popular among students. It offers you a variety of online courses, certificates, and even higher education degrees from globally renowned universities. Many free online courses with short durations are available in multiple niches. This Udemy alternative is known for providing high-quality courses in generative AI, technology, and management.

Key Features of Coursera:

🔸 Offers both free and online certificate courses.

🔸 Collaborate with global universities to offer online degree programmes.

🔸 Project work-oriented curriculum.

🔸 Allows you to learn at your convenience.

Ideal For:

✅ Students seeking short-duration free courses.

✅ Learners looking to upskill with online higher education degrees.

✅ Anyone who wants to earn certificates from renowned institutions.

✅ People seeking a career in AI and tech domains.

The Final Takeaway 

The popularity of online learning platforms, especially MOOCs, is rapidly increasing. Coursera, FutureLearn, and HeroVired are some of the best Udemy alternatives that people use globally. The secret behind their emerging acceptance is their courses that offer short duration, mentorship from renowned universities or MNCs, and flexible learning. Mentioned above are several widely used Udemy alternatives in India and globally. You can opt for any platform depending on your course, learning, and budget preferences. All you need to make sure is explore their courses in your desired niche, compare the features, and select your ideal one.