A short guide on configuring your Raspberry Pi to automatically run x11vnc server at startup

Hey guys, I thought I would share a short guide I made about configuring x11vnc to automatically launch every time the Pi boots up. I had such a hard time getting it to work and thought I should spread the knowledge. I’m a noob with Linux and the Pi, so I thought this would be really beneficial to any other noobs who are trying to get their Pi to run headless. I am using Raspbian Jessie so I’m not sure how well this will work with other distros.

This short guide assumes you already have a VNC viewer and know how to configure it. These instructions outline how to configure your Raspberry Pi to automatically start the x11vnc server every time it is booted. This way, you will be able to remotely connect to your Pi any time you launch your VNC viewer.

Source: Here is a short guide I made on configuring your RPi to automatically run x11vnc server at startup (Reddit/Raspberry Pi)

Raspberry Pi as a SOCKS proxy and SSH file server Tutorial

A couple redditors showed interest in how I set up my Pi as a SOCKS proxy and recommended I make a separate post as a tutorial, so I’ll do my best to explain everything.

Background

SOCKS stands for Socket Secure, and is essentially just a middle man for a server and client for send information between. The best description I’ve heard of it is “It’s a poor man’s VPN.” It essentially works the same, but each service has to be configured to work with it (i.e. I have Firefox on my Mac working through my SOCKS proxy but not Chrome and Safari). Why would you want a SOCKS proxy over a VPN? From my experience, it runs better on a Pi, and I can also do multiple things over SSH (such as also run a file server). Having to configure each service to run through it can also be a pro or a con, depending on if you want everything to work through it or not.

Basic Overview

There’s really not much to setting everything up; it’s a pretty straightforward process. For those just looking for something short and sweet, here are the basic steps I followed. I’ll go over each more in depth below.

Source: RPi as a SOCKS proxy and SSH file server Tutorial (Reddit/Raspberry Pi)

The Best Tools to Archive Websites for Long-Term Storage

If you want to preserve the contents of a specific website, here’s what you can do to archive websites permanently for long term storage.

Source: The Best Tools to Archive Websites for Long-Term Storage – Make Tech Easier

How to Improve the Security of Your Linux System with Firejail

If you are looking to improve the security of your Linux system, check out Firejail that can sandbox all processes and reduce the risk of security breaches

Source: How to Improve the Security of Your Linux System with Firejail – Make Tech Easier

Your Own Linux..! series on Linux / Unix Shell (Bash) Scripting

Your Own Linux..! recently published a multi-part series on Unix/Linux shell scripting, that would be useful to anyone desiring to write a bash script. The articles are:

Introduction – Linux / Unix Shell (Bash) Scripting

Bash Scripting Variables – Environment and Special Shell Variables

Bash Scripting – Arithmetic, Logical, Relational and Bitwise Operators

Bash Scripting – Arrays with Examples

Bash Scripting Conditionals – if-then-else, if-elif-else, Nested if-else

Bash Scripting – ‘for’ Loop

Bash Scripting – ‘while’ Loop

Bash Scripting – ‘case’ Statement

Bash Scripting – ‘select’ Loop and ‘select-case’ Statement

That’s the complete list as of the publication date of this post (EDIT: Plus a couple of late additions). If you want to check to see if any have been added since then, go here.

21 Must-Have Apps For Ubuntu Desktop

We’re often asked what our essential Ubuntu apps are, but rather than reply in the comments I figured I’d write a list of what are, for us, must-have apps for Ubuntu.

Whether you’re new to Ubuntu or a recent convert from Microsoft Windows, you should find some software to suit you in the list below. Naturally, not all of the apps featured below will be of use to everyone so do Use the comments below to share your best Linux apps.

Source: 21 Must-Have Apps For Ubuntu Desktop – OMG! Ubuntu!

Before You Pay that Ransomware Demand…

A decade ago, if a desktop computer got infected with malware the chief symptom probably was an intrusive browser toolbar of some kind. Five years ago you were more likely to get whacked by a banking trojan that stole all your passwords and credit card numbers. These days if your mobile or desktop computer is infected what gets installed is likely to be “ransomware” — malicious software that locks your most prized documents, songs and pictures with strong encryption and then requires you to pay for a key to unlock the files.

Here’s some basic advice about where to go, what to do — and what not to do — when you or someone you know gets hit with ransomware.

Source: Before You Pay that Ransomware Demand… — Krebs on Security

4 of the Most Underrated Features in VLC Player

There are plenty of features in VLC player. Here are a few more hidden gems that really demonstrate just how amazing VLC is. Check them out.

Source: 4 of the Most Underrated Features in VLC Player – Make Tech Easier

35 Practical Examples of Linux Find Command

Linux Find Command is one of the most important and much used command in Linux systems. In this article we’ll show you the best 35 Linux Find Command Examples.

Source: 35 Practical Examples of Linux Find Command (Tecmint)

Raspberry Pi: Extending the life of the SD card

I realized after posting this that it is a repeat post, but those new to the Raspberry Pi might not have seen the original post, so here it is again:

SD cards are said to have a finite life. If you are planning on running a Raspberry Pi 24x7x365, there are some steps that you can take with GNU/Linux to extend the life of the card: here are some ideas.

Source: Raspberry Pi: Extending the life of the SD card | ZDNet