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How to Disable Password Policy in the Calamares Installer on Debian Live

· 2 min read
Hirusha Adikari
I do stuff sometimes...

For those who don't find the default Debian installer ("d-i") frustrating, you also have the option to install Debian using the Calamares installer. Additionally, there's a lot to configure post-install. To avoid all of this trouble, you can use the Debian Live installer, which uses Calamares.

By default, Calamares configuration in Debian Live enforces some password policies to prevent users from entering weak passwords. This is a very important feature, but I find it too complicated for virtual machines and testing scenarios. Therefore, in this article, let's see how to disable it and use a simple password.

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Department of Pension - Sri Lanka, hacked? What's not being talked about.

· 6 min read
Hirusha Adikari
I do stuff sometimes...

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On April 2nd, 2025, the Sri Lanka Department of Pensions reportedly became the target of a ransomware incident attributed to a group identifying itself as "Cloak." According to publicly visible information, the group claimed responsibility and set a deadline of May 26th, 2025, allegedly demanding a ransom.

Following the deadline, the group published what they claim to be 617GB of data. It is currently unclear whether this data originated from the Department of Pensions, as no official confirmation has been issued regarding the authenticity or sensitivity of the leaked files.

As with any such case, it’s important to approach leaked materials with caution and avoid downloading or redistributing them, as doing so may violate data protection laws.

Basic Server Hardening Guide

· 13 min read
Hirusha Adikari
I do stuff sometimes...

If you don't like big tech companies prying their eyes on your data, you might want to self host all the services either locally on-premise or on a cloud server (a Virtual Private Server or a Dedicated Server).

When you are doing this, yes, you are safe from the eyes of big tech, and you actually get to have some privacy. HOWEVER, you will be in charge of your own data security. Therefore, hardening your server is essential to keep your data secure from bad actors and sometimes even automated scanners.

In this article, let's see how to do just that. This guide focuses on Debian 12 (not Ubuntu, since it's Canonical's bloat). Let's get started.

How to install Windows apps without Microsoft Store?

· 4 min read
Hirusha Adikari
I do stuff sometimes...

If you are a Windows LTSC user, you don't have Microsoft Store to installation applications. Most applications can be installed separately without an issue. However, apps like WhatsApp Desktop requires you to install them via the store.

In this tutorial, let's see how to install apps that are only available in microsoft store without store.

Shared home folders!

· 5 min read
Hirusha Adikari
I do stuff sometimes...

Whether you are setting up a computer for yourself or someone else, it's always better to have the user's files on a separate disk (or at least a partition) for easy recovery and management. Doing this also allows directories (like Desktop) to be shared among multiple operating systems if you dual boot.

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Alleged Data Breach of Abans Group (Sri Lanka)

· 2 min read
Hirusha Adikari
I do stuff sometimes...

A threat actor on a popular dark web forum has leaked the personal data of approximately 110,000 users of the Abans Group in Sri Lanka. Abans PLC, also known as Abans Group, is a Sri Lankan public limited company and a diversified conglomerate engaged in ICT, retail, manufacturing, logistics, commercial real estate, and financial services.

Autostart Services with Systemd in Linux

· 3 min read
Hirusha Adikari
I do stuff sometimes...

Automating the startup of services in Linux is crucial for ensuring system reliability and reducing manual intervention. In this guide, you'll learn how to use systemd to create and manage a service that starts automatically on boot. We'll cover setting up a dedicated user for security, creating a service file, enabling the service, and troubleshooting common issues.

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