Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Stopping Petya Ransomware


I am a kiasu guy.
So ..no this ransomware will be a kick in my butt.

So here is a tip I learn from ZDNET (Credit to them)

Create a file called PERFC 
No Extensions etc... notepad etc won't allow you to write to windows..so bypass it

So Run CMD in Admin mode

Then do an old school file write
By Default, you will be in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32
VERY DANGEROUS

So you are now in DOS.
up directory.
If you forget .. it's cd ..

Then create a file called PERFC
There is no case needed.
The whole example is there.
enter 3 times...
CTRL-Z to save
Like the example above.
Simple..

Now is the tricky part.

Go find that file again.. change to read only

File Explorer - > Properties -> READONLY
You need to give admin rights.



After you are done.. go back to the dos to verify.
Enter ATTRIB PERFC

it will show
 

C:\Windows>attrib perfc
A    R             C:\Windows\perfc

C:\Windows>




That's it!

Other than that.. run a full backup... and upload the darn file into google cloud.
use either Azure or Google to store in your image..

Pray hard for the PETYA not to whip your butt.

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Friday, June 16, 2017

Killer Goblin of Ethereum

(I x-post from my other page)

I was doing a lot of Research and Development recently and I was trying to figure out why it is taking so long to update my block chain on Ethereum Network.

Apparently, every time I launch my geth sync mode, it hangs... and I really hate it.
Turns out, the laptop cannot take the amount of data to be pooled into it plug the whole database needs to be launched into the memory bank.

I used this command to launch the synchronization process
geth --cache=2048 --rpc --nat extip:35.185.184.162 --pprof --v5disc
where the cache is set to 2GB and ext IP is because my network is firewalled pass thru, but in itself, that is the direct IP address, useful for VPS or Google Cloud Compute.

Do note the whole stack (3,888,903 blocks as of 17 June 17) takes 24GB of space in the hard drive and it takes AGES to synchronise unless you have extreme fast internet, and SSD hard drive.

Of course it is faster if you could do an offline download.. and yeah.. I would be happy to do so, for a small fee. Just send some ether (0.01 will do) to my wallet (0x162c28e126a97d0009158fbda0ca93e6e9cc13d0) to cover the network fees and drop me a note on my facebook (@azrin619) that it's done... with your gmail address so you can access it.

If you do not believe how much the goblin took from me.. see this

I set 2vCPU with 8GB Ram and it went over the limit.
Just a warning.

And if you need to see where your money is..
geth --verbosity 2 console
and then you see the dreaded black screen...  I placed the verbosity 2 so the screen is not garbled.

Now U need to unlock the account of your coins.
> personal.unlockAccount("0x01YourAddress","Your-Plain-Text-Password")
It will show if you unlocked it by replying TRUE.

To see your Balance.

> eth.getBalance(eth.coinbase)
Reply will be 10000000000000000 which makes no sense (gas wei??)
A more sensible one will be

> web3.fromWei(eth.getBalance(eth.coinbase),"ether")
And you can see the reply which is 0.01, showing I'm a poor skint dude!
Make sure you have the correct updated states.

> eth.syncing
{
  currentBlock: 3883059,
  highestBlock: 3883075,
  knownStates: 4955,
  pulledStates: 4955,
  startingBlock: 3883058
}


This is offered later on.. and it is 8GB as of now, after compression etc.

You can just import it easily. Its on a server..so U can trust me on this.

Saturday, June 3, 2017

ETH Mining Requirements

After all the tweaking and stuff like that.. I found out that ETH mining needs loads of stuff...
And when I mean loads.. means tons.

Using Windows.. ETH Mining uses about 2.8GB of RAM and do not try to use a scratch disk aka page file. I tested and system auto crashed! Disable all your services and startup apps.. including all those crap Windows Installed.

GPU Mining needs a heck more. Seems per core requires almost the same as the DAG file gets huge nowadays.

I suggest you utilise the AMD Radeon RX480 as it has 8GB Ram on board and since most boards cannot load that kind of power usage... I honestly hope you are ready for a 1200W based PSU unit which will set you around $900. Most boards have 4-6 PCIe slots so U need a riser for that.

Typical configuration would be
i7  or i9 CPU,
16GB RAM
SSD 128GB Drive
4 x RX480 using CABLE RISERS. Use the SATA MOLEX power line to power up the 150W GPU.

In Essence, it would be 4 x 150 + 200W CPU which takes a full load of 800W and that is a low rough figure.

If I have it my way.. I will use the 24 core DUAL XEON 48 Threads E8840 V4 or even E5 2699 v5 will blow you away.

In terms of money wise.. the baseline system can already hit your pocket (4GPU) around S$3000, but still, if you don't mine with it.. you can play great games on it!



Monday, May 29, 2017

Open VPN - A Pain in the bum~

Yes.. Open VPN can be a pain in the backside for those who do not have technical knowledge.
Prior to this.. I used the OpenVPN AS version on a Linux Ubuntu 16 via Google Cloud Compute. Many things work if you just want a Single User ie Device to connect but if you are a bugger like me who program the OpenVPN client in Merlin interface, aiyayah.. It's a real bother.

First off, Open VPN AS works for Devices only.
If you using a frigging router.. then UR screwed.

U will need many tools.. like a way to SIGN YOUR OWN CERTS
I played cheat.. and installed Windows 2008 Server and used it as my signing certificate.

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Removing yourself from SPAM

Spam... it's a killer...
I use Google Mail as authentication and GMAIL Access..
No doubt it is a simple as that.. but on the DNS.. I forgot to add the TXT CODE to deter spam from originated or spoofed from my domain..

So I had to put into place a long line of SPF Records to ensure emails from my domains are not sent out other than being via GMAIL...

azrin.info.  IN TXT "v=spf1 mx a ip4:2404:6800::/32 ip4:172.214.0.0/16 ip4:8.8.0.0/16 ip4:35.184.0.0/13 ip4:64.233.160.0/19 ip4:66.102.0.0/20 ip4:66.249.64.0/19 ip4:70.32.128.0/19 ip4:74.125.0.0/16 ip4:104.132.0.0/23 ip4:172.102.8.0/16 ip4:172.217.0.0/16 ip4:172.253.0.0/16 ip4:173.194.0.0/16 ip4:209.85.128.0/12 ip4:216.58.192.0/16 a:*.gmail.com a:*.gappssmtp.com include:gmail.com"

Darn Long rite?? 
What it means is.. for AZRIN.INFO Allow only Emails sent from SPF Records originating from (Google IP Addresses... so many") and allow emails sent from domains of GMAIL.COM and GAPPSSMTP.COM ... it's Google Apps SMTP Server btw...
Anything else... NO Way.. just delete and bounce.

Good luck to my users using outlook.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Dummies Guide to Google Cloud Compute Mining

Google cloud has various services , one thing I was quite happy about it is that you can easily scale the services without paying much through the nose.

In the typical world, Ubuntu Server 16.04LTS installation takes about 35-70mins, depending on your internet connection but with the rapid deployment, it takes a few mins.

Typically, what you will need is Google Cloud Compute account which everyone is given $300 to try out, so you are never out of pocket. Some sites and even if you are an incubator, they give out $10,000 in credits... all the better.

Now, what to do.

Setup your account. You will need a debit or credit card to verify your identification.
Once that set up, go and check your quota limits. It's under Compute Engine > Quota Tab.
Note the CPU Limit per Region.

Now, create a Ubuntu Linux Engine, using the Max CPU Allowed (customise) and less RAM. Usually for a full account is 24vCPU per region.
50GB HDD will do fine.

Once it is setup , you are almost done.
Follow my instructions on how to install the Eth Coin wallet and miner.
I will strongly suggest you install GETH in your LOCAL PC as that is the wallet you will need to mine your coins to.

If you are too darn lazy.. copy these instructions (cut and paste works) into your SSH terminal.

sudo apt-get clean 
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:ethereum/ethereum-qt 
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:ethereum/ethereum 
sudo apt-get update 
sudo apt-get install cpp-ethereum

once it's all done, you are good!

Try this command to see if it works

ethminer -F http://ethereumpool.co/?miner=0.1@0x162c28e126a97d0009158fbda0ca93e6e9cc13d0@SomeMiner

it will take 20mins to first time download the DAG or Dagger file up...something like the blockchain. Replace my 0x162 address after 30 mins 

Then it will run.

When it's all done.. go to EthereumPool.co to check on your miner. The miner address is the address you specified. 

All Good? DO NOT CLOSE THE WINDOW. 
It will shut down!

now... U need to make a clone of the disks to make the ultimate array.
One 24Core is nothing when U can run 5 x 24 cores. Yes..yr money will finish quickly...but worth it


Sunday, April 30, 2017

EthOS is just purely over-rated

Opinionated as it seems , the much hyped Mining Operating System for Ethereum Mining aka EthOS is just a pure hype to me as it does nothing much than a thin model of an operating system.

Here is the thing... it is based out of UBUNTU Linux and it's under GPL, ie source codes are made free. However, they are extorting lazy people $39.90 for a download from GPUShack under the terms of Goat with Red Eyes , another word for broad day cyber rip off.

If you got a stable broadband and not lazy enough (you need to do some work and huge bandwidth anyway with any downloads), you can get things done in less than 25 mins, tops.

Here is the requirements:
Your mining rig with a good broadband connection.
HDD Raw Copy Tool to burn the Ubuntu
4GB Thumb Drive for the image
32GB or more Hard disk or even Fast Speed Thumb Drive.

In this scene, I use Sandisk 64GB USB 3.0 Ultra Flair with speeds of 150MB/s... I do have to warn you the THUMB DRIVE GETS EXTREMELY HOT!

You will need to be able to boot from USB in your BIOS.. so press F1,F10 , F8, F12 or DEL at boot up and select your options. Some Bios require you to EMULATE the thumb drive as a HDD, and in this case, the bigger one.

Installing is purely simple. Do Not Partition the Drive. Remove all the partitions, Create one Single Partition, and EXT2 Bootable Flag. This is where the drive gets HOT! Do NOT TOUCH IT!

Everything is in order.. Checked. Networking Etc working.
Start download UBUNTU SERVER 16 LTS version. It has no GUI and is far better and faster.
Add on the Networking, LAMP, SSH Options as it saves you a huge hussle later on.

Once installed, it will reboot. Remove the main USB leaving the 32GB one.

Login, and it will show you are now Super User.
Add a backup user say pirate with superuser options. Use this when U need to over ride on SSH.
command:  sudo adduser xxusernamexxx
it will ask for password
user a hard one, a number plate ex SGT1234Y will do fine.

now for the hard part..
Read the Ethereum Pool How to.

Pretty much tells U how to do the miner.

You will need a wallet though... so if you do not have...
sudo apt-get install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:ethereum/ethereum
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ethereum

After that, U need to setup the SSH service.
Makes like super easy...
This is a tricky one.

 apt-get install openssh-server

I imagine all accounts are super user, so all accounts need SUDO or SUPER USER DO

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Change the port number to something else.. say 9988
add a line  MaxAuthTries 3
This prevents bruting

sudo service ssh restart 


I am plainly lazy so I just SSH in instead and when it's all done... you can start mining.

command will be 
ethminer -F http://ethereumpool.co/?miner=0.01@0x162c28e126a97d0009158fbda0ca93e6e9cc13d0 -G --high-cpu-load

 its basically ?miner=speed@0xaddress -options

After U test it works... CLONE IT.
Use CloneZilla or something


Good luck

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Downloading different regional apps

You want that app but its geoloc to that specific country?

Its plain simple actually.

What U will need ..as google now verifies..

1) VPN into the country
2) Mobile number for access
3) Play store access

In this case I used UK as some apps will only work for UK accts.

Get a GiffGaff sim..cost is free but £10 topup..ask me if u need one... as the txt messages will get there.

Once U have yr sim activated...then do your thing.

Go to accounts.google.com n get a new acct. Make sure U VPN in...
It will ask for the number...

After that..ur all set