BRAVE Web Browser : How much advertisements I blocked in a week ?

Hello friends, herewith first I am sharing screen shots of my brave browser dashboard that I captured over a week from 30 Jan 2021 to 6 Feb 2021.The screen shots I have taken pertain to morning hours whenever I login for the day. I am generally on my PC for about 8-9 hours a day. I majorly watch YouTube videos and surf across multiple sites in a day that range from 50-100 at times. So what I am bringing out here that how many ads Brave browser has blocked in this duration and whilst this surfing times.

30 Jan 2021 : 70517 blocked : Counter 0

 31 Jan 2021 : 77744 blocked : Counter 7227  in day( i.e. 30 Jan 2021)

01 Feb 2021 : 92342 blocked : Counter 14598  in day( i.e. 31 Jan 2021)

02 Feb 2021 : 97440 blocked : Counter 5098  in day( i.e. 01 Feb 2021)

03 Feb 2021 : 105386 blocked : Counter 7946  in day( i.e. 02 Feb 2021)

04 Feb 2021 : 108354 blocked : Counter 2968  in day( i.e. 03 Feb 2021)

05 Feb 2021 : 112036 blocked : Counter 3682  in day( i.e. 04 Feb 2021)

06 Feb 2021 : 114870 blocked : Counter 2834  in day( i.e. 05 Feb 2021)

So,total ads blocked over a week is 44353 that deduces to approx average of 6336 ads/day. That's phenomenal to say. Each of these trackers would be definitely linked to thousands of other trackers also giving them unrestricted access to all the user behavior ,privacy and profiles. While there is not much a normal user can do about these trackers, I feel just blocking these thousands of ads will not make any one absolutely free of tracking,but still better than surfing without blockers. Because if the ad companies know that users are blocking by means of plugins and such browsers,they would have already found ways to still track you. After all that's their means of living and minting economy.

REMOVE METADATA FROM IMAGES: UBUNTU with exiftool utility

Just few commands in Ubuntu to check the meta data and thereafter remove the same.I am using a utility exiftool which does not come inbuilt to most of the Linux systems,but we need to install them.

INSTALL COMMAND

sudo apt-get install libimage-exiftool-perl

USAGE COMMAND

exiftool -all= IMG_20200504_215424.jpg

(The above command creates a separate copy of the original file and the new file which is created with removed metadata)

or

exiftool -overwrite_original -all= IMG_20200504_215424.jpg 

(The above command overwrites the original file with the new file created with removed metadata)

Showing you output of one file prior to removal of meta data and thereafter removing the meta data

ORIGINAL FILE

kabali@Kabali:~/Desktop/ddd$ jhead IMG_20200504_215424.jpg
File name    : IMG_20200504_215424.jpg
File size    : 3588382 bytes
File date    : 2021:01:31 14:10:13
Camera make  : Xiaomi
Camera model : Mi A2
Date/Time    : 2020:05:04 21:54:24
Resolution   : 4000 x 3000
Orientation  : rotate 90
Flash used   : No
Focal length :  4.1mm  (35mm equivalent: 4mm)
Exposure time: 0.050 s  (1/20)
Aperture     : f/1.8
ISO equiv.   : 1000
Whitebalance : Auto
Metering Mode: center weight
GPS Latitude : ? ?
GPS Longitude: ? ?
JPEG Quality : 98

REMOVED METADATA FILE

kabali@Kabali:~/Desktop/ddd$ jhead IMG_20200504_215424.jpg

File name    : IMG_20200504_215424.jpg
File size    : 3556853 bytes
File date    : 2021:01:31 14:30:08
Resolution   : 4000 x 3000
JPEG Quality : 98

 

REMOVING META DATA FROM VIDEO FILES : UBUNTU TERMINAL COMMANDS

Hello everyone, this post focuses on removing metadata from a video file using ffmpeg inbuilt utility in Ubuntu OS. The following command includes the original file MAH08207.mp4 being stripped of metadata and being output into a new file as output.mp4.

ffmpeg -i MAH08207.mp4 -map 0 -map_metadata -1 -c copy output.mp4

The output of the command is as below:

ffmpeg version 4.2.4-1ubuntu0.1 Copyright (c) 2000-2020 the FFmpeg developers
  built with gcc 9 (Ubuntu 9.3.0-10ubuntu2)
  configuration: --prefix=/usr --extra-version=1ubuntu0.1 --toolchain=hardened --libdir=/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu --incdir=/usr/include/x86_64-linux-gnu --arch=amd64 --enable-gpl --disable-stripping --enable-avresample --disable-filter=resample --enable-avisynth --enable-gnutls --enable-ladspa --enable-libaom --enable-libass --enable-libbluray --enable-libbs2b --enable-libcaca --enable-libcdio --enable-libcodec2 --enable-libflite --enable-libfontconfig --enable-libfreetype --enable-libfribidi --enable-libgme --enable-libgsm --enable-libjack --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libmysofa --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libopenmpt --enable-libopus --enable-libpulse --enable-librsvg --enable-librubberband --enable-libshine --enable-libsnappy --enable-libsoxr --enable-libspeex --enable-libssh --enable-libtheora --enable-libtwolame --enable-libvidstab --enable-libvorbis --enable-libvpx --enable-libwavpack --enable-libwebp --enable-libx265 --enable-libxml2 --enable-libxvid --enable-libzmq --enable-libzvbi --enable-lv2 --enable-omx --enable-openal --enable-opencl --enable-opengl --enable-sdl2 --enable-libdc1394 --enable-libdrm --enable-libiec61883 --enable-nvenc --enable-chromaprint --enable-frei0r --enable-libx264 --enable-shared
  libavutil      56. 31.100 / 56. 31.100
  libavcodec     58. 54.100 / 58. 54.100
  libavformat    58. 29.100 / 58. 29.100
  libavdevice    58.  8.100 / 58.  8.100
  libavfilter     7. 57.100 /  7. 57.100
  libavresample   4.  0.  0 /  4.  0.  0
  libswscale      5.  5.100 /  5.  5.100
  libswresample   3.  5.100 /  3.  5.100
  libpostproc    55.  5.100 / 55.  5.100
Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'MAH08207.mp4':
  Metadata:
    major_brand     : MSNV
    minor_version   : 22675568
    compatible_brands: MSNVmp42isom
    creation_time   : 2020-11-09T00:48:18.000000Z
  Duration: 00:00:44.16, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 12146 kb/s
    Stream #0:0(und): Video: h264 (Main) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p(tv, bt709/bt709/iec61966-2-4), 1440x1080 [SAR 4:3 DAR 16:9], 12016 kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 25k tbn, 50 tbc (default)
    Metadata:
      creation_time   : 2020-11-09T00:48:18.000000Z
      handler_name    : Video Media Handler
      encoder         : AVC Coding
    Stream #0:1(und): Audio: aac (LC) (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 127 kb/s (default)
    Metadata:
      creation_time   : 2020-11-09T00:48:18.000000Z
      handler_name    : Sound Media Handler
Output #0, mp4, to 'output.mp4':
  Metadata:
    encoder         : Lavf58.29.100
    Stream #0:0: Video: h264 (Main) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p(tv, bt709/bt709/iec61966-2-4), 1440x1080 [SAR 4:3 DAR 16:9], q=2-31, 12016 kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 25k tbn, 25k tbc (default)
    Stream #0:1: Audio: aac (LC) (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 127 kb/s (default)
Stream mapping:
  Stream #0:0 -> #0:0 (copy)
  Stream #0:1 -> #0:1 (copy)
Press [q] to stop, [?] for help
frame= 1104 fps=0.0 q=-1.0 Lsize=   65489kB time=00:00:44.13 bitrate=12154.5kbits/s speed= 540x    
video:64774kB audio:688kB subtitle:0kB other streams:0kB global headers:0kB muxing overhead: 0.039428%

The size of the original file and the stripped of file is

-rw-r--r-- 1 kabali kabali 67050400 Nov  9 06:19 MAH08207.mp4
-rw-rw-r-- 1 kabali kabali 67060450 Jan 29 20:23 output.mp4 

Thus difference between the files is the meta data removed.

I am also showing the output of ffprobe utility run on the two files to show you the difference of meta data removed too.

ffprobe MAH08207.mp4

 ffprobe version 4.2.4-1ubuntu0.1 Copyright (c) 2007-2020 the FFmpeg developers
  built with gcc 9 (Ubuntu 9.3.0-10ubuntu2)
  configuration: --prefix=/usr --extra-version=1ubuntu0.1 --toolchain=hardened --libdir=/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu --incdir=/usr/include/x86_64-linux-gnu --arch=amd64 --enable-gpl --disable-stripping --enable-avresample --disable-filter=resample --enable-avisynth --enable-gnutls --enable-ladspa --enable-libaom --enable-libass --enable-libbluray --enable-libbs2b --enable-libcaca --enable-libcdio --enable-libcodec2 --enable-libflite --enable-libfontconfig --enable-libfreetype --enable-libfribidi --enable-libgme --enable-libgsm --enable-libjack --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libmysofa --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libopenmpt --enable-libopus --enable-libpulse --enable-librsvg --enable-librubberband --enable-libshine --enable-libsnappy --enable-libsoxr --enable-libspeex --enable-libssh --enable-libtheora --enable-libtwolame --enable-libvidstab --enable-libvorbis --enable-libvpx --enable-libwavpack --enable-libwebp --enable-libx265 --enable-libxml2 --enable-libxvid --enable-libzmq --enable-libzvbi --enable-lv2 --enable-omx --enable-openal --enable-opencl --enable-opengl --enable-sdl2 --enable-libdc1394 --enable-libdrm --enable-libiec61883 --enable-nvenc --enable-chromaprint --enable-frei0r --enable-libx264 --enable-shared
  libavutil      56. 31.100 / 56. 31.100
  libavcodec     58. 54.100 / 58. 54.100
  libavformat    58. 29.100 / 58. 29.100
  libavdevice    58.  8.100 / 58.  8.100
  libavfilter     7. 57.100 /  7. 57.100
  libavresample   4.  0.  0 /  4.  0.  0
  libswscale      5.  5.100 /  5.  5.100
  libswresample   3.  5.100 /  3.  5.100
  libpostproc    55.  5.100 / 55.  5.100
Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'MAH08207.mp4':
  Metadata:
    major_brand     : MSNV
    minor_version   : 22675568
    compatible_brands: MSNVmp42isom
    creation_time   : 2020-11-09T00:48:18.000000Z
  Duration: 00:00:44.16, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 12146 kb/s
    Stream #0:0(und): Video: h264 (Main) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p(tv, bt709/bt709/iec61966-2-4), 1440x1080 [SAR 4:3 DAR 16:9], 12016 kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 25k tbn, 50 tbc (default)
    Metadata:
      creation_time   : 2020-11-09T00:48:18.000000Z
      handler_name    : Video Media Handler
      encoder         : AVC Coding
    Stream #0:1(und): Audio: aac (LC) (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 127 kb/s (default)
    Metadata:
      creation_time   : 2020-11-09T00:48:18.000000Z
      handler_name    : Sound Media Handler

ffprobe output.mp4 

 ffprobe version 4.2.4-1ubuntu0.1 Copyright (c) 2007-2020 the FFmpeg developers
  built with gcc 9 (Ubuntu 9.3.0-10ubuntu2)
  configuration: --prefix=/usr --extra-version=1ubuntu0.1 --toolchain=hardened --libdir=/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu --incdir=/usr/include/x86_64-linux-gnu --arch=amd64 --enable-gpl --disable-stripping --enable-avresample --disable-filter=resample --enable-avisynth --enable-gnutls --enable-ladspa --enable-libaom --enable-libass --enable-libbluray --enable-libbs2b --enable-libcaca --enable-libcdio --enable-libcodec2 --enable-libflite --enable-libfontconfig --enable-libfreetype --enable-libfribidi --enable-libgme --enable-libgsm --enable-libjack --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libmysofa --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libopenmpt --enable-libopus --enable-libpulse --enable-librsvg --enable-librubberband --enable-libshine --enable-libsnappy --enable-libsoxr --enable-libspeex --enable-libssh --enable-libtheora --enable-libtwolame --enable-libvidstab --enable-libvorbis --enable-libvpx --enable-libwavpack --enable-libwebp --enable-libx265 --enable-libxml2 --enable-libxvid --enable-libzmq --enable-libzvbi --enable-lv2 --enable-omx --enable-openal --enable-opencl --enable-opengl --enable-sdl2 --enable-libdc1394 --enable-libdrm --enable-libiec61883 --enable-nvenc --enable-chromaprint --enable-frei0r --enable-libx264 --enable-shared
  libavutil      56. 31.100 / 56. 31.100
  libavcodec     58. 54.100 / 58. 54.100
  libavformat    58. 29.100 / 58. 29.100
  libavdevice    58.  8.100 / 58.  8.100
  libavfilter     7. 57.100 /  7. 57.100
  libavresample   4.  0.  0 /  4.  0.  0
  libswscale      5.  5.100 /  5.  5.100
  libswresample   3.  5.100 /  3.  5.100
  libpostproc    55.  5.100 / 55.  5.100
Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'output.mp4':
  Metadata:
    major_brand     : isom
    minor_version   : 512
    compatible_brands: isomiso2avc1mp41
    encoder         : Lavf58.29.100
  Duration: 00:00:44.16, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 12148 kb/s
    Stream #0:0(und): Video: h264 (Main) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p(tv, bt709/bt709/iec61966-2-4), 1440x1080 [SAR 4:3 DAR 16:9], 12016 kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 25k tbn, 50 tbc (default)
    Metadata:
      handler_name    : VideoHandler
    Stream #0:1(und): Audio: aac (LC) (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 127 kb/s (default)
    Metadata:
      handler_name    : SoundHandler

SPLIT VIDEOS IN UBUNTU: SINGLE LINE COMMAND{ffmpeg utility}

Sharing here just a single line command of ffmpeg utility which can split a video with time duration's specified.So if your video is suppose 05:03(min:sec) long and you wanna split it into two sizes with part 1 as 00:00 to 02:28 and the other part 2 as 02:28 to 05:03,the commands to be executed will be

ffmpeg -i VID_20210129_115611.mp4 -ss 00:00:00 -t 00:02:28 part1.mp4

ffmpeg -i VID_20210129_115611.mp4 -ss 00:02:28 -t 00:05:03 part2.mp4

where VID_20210129_115611.mp4 is the main file and part1.mp4/part2.mp4 are the respective output files.

MERGE VIDEOs IN UBUNTU: TWO TERMINAL COMMANDS

Hi guys...no time waste here...I m mentioning two commands to simply merge your multiple videos quickly in an Ubuntu OS.No GUI or other applications to download or use. The ffmpeg command inbuilt to Ubuntu easily merges without hassles.

So,the first command is 

find "$(pwd)" -type f -name '*.mp4' -printf "file '%p'\n" | tee mp4_compile.txt

The above command will simply find your all mp4 files in the directory wherein you run this command in the terminal directory and compile them into one text file. This text file is named here as mp4_compile.txt. You can name it any thing.

The second command is as given below:

ffmpeg -f concat -safe 0 -i mp4_compile.txt -c copy merged.mp4

This command will merge all the files compiled in the txt file and merge into one output file names as merged.mp4

Thats all...I actually went through a lot of softwares and applications...tried online merge too but all had some kind of limitation in size...till I found these commands.So happy sharing and happy merging.

NOTHING BLOCKCHAIN ABOUT IT :-)

Ubuntu 20.04 LTS brightness control with command line[SOLVED]

While I moved my kernel face from 18.04  to 20.04 LTS,there were few irritants while I got adapted to new interface and features…and one of them was the missing brightness tab in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. Don’t know why it was removed,but then may be a small community used it and so was discontinued. So I tried third party plugins, few new brightness apps also tried brightness controller but somehow was not happy with the desired screen brightness control.Though Ubuntu 20.04 has night light feature wherein you can tweak with color temperatures from  less warm to more warm but that too fall short of my requirement. So I just wanted a clean hassle free solution. So I got to know about the xrandr command. Xrandr is used to set the size, orientation and/or  reflection  of  the outputs for a screen. It can also set the screen size. 

The good thing is that this utility comes pre-installed with the OS. You just need to use it vide few command line inputs and these are as below:

The first command is

xrandr | grep " connected" | cut -f1 -d " "

This command basically gives you an output of the name of your monitor. In my case it gives HDMI-0.

 

After this command you need to use the same command with different switch and adjusting the brightness to suit your eyes. While 1 refers to highest brightness 0.1 refers to the lowest.So in bright rooms if you wish to set like me,I generally prefer 0.7.The command line goes like this:

 xrandr --output HDMI-0 --brightness 0.7

Other functions that this utility can assist you are with setting resolution and refresh rates. The command lines are mentioned below:

 

SETTING RESOLUTION

xrandr --output HDMI-0--mode 1680x1050

SCREEN REFRESH RATE

xrandr --output HDMI-0--mode 1680x1050 --rate 60.00

Another switch –q will query your monitors and give details as seen below

 Just remember to change your screen name as per your monitor name...in my case like I said...it is HDMI-0.

CQ 100: Meet India’s Most Influential Cyber Warriors

First post in this year...though little delayed comes as a pleasant surprise from the cyberosphere.....Sharing here the link of a post that has identified India’s most influential cyber warriors  and has listed me too....

https://www.the420.in/cq-100-meet-indias-most-influential-cyber-warriors-top-cyber-experts/

Screenshot as below:

IIIT Dharwad FDP on Blockchain Technology: 04 Nov 2020

IIIT Dharwad conducted an FDP on blockchain under aegis of AICTE on 04 Nov 2020.I am sharing here webinar recording and the presentation of my sessions.

Blockchain Technology FDP at IIIT Dharwad by Anupam Tiwari on Scribd

CYBER SECURITY : A Mathematical attempt to understand and interpret the mechanics behind

Well..after a long time of around few years I gave a talk that was exclusive to CYBER SECURITY otherwise I have generally hovered around Blockchain and bitcoin for quiet some time now.The unique thing about this presentation is the take on that I attempted. The difference between the usual presentations and this one is that I have tried to explain the technicals behind data collection and prediction through regression. While the common men isn't largely bothered about surfing anything, anywhere, anytime, believing what harm can one do if he has nothing to loose. But alas he should understand why is the need so.The strange patents that IT giants like facebook ,google ,MIcrosoft are currently holding and developing is worrisome to realise. The links below give the presenation download google drive link and the scribd direct link.

Google drive link at :

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zwo88ljDaJxJ8S7obKXkICtGDUGGVHZx/view?usp=sharing

Cyber Security : An attempt... by Anupam Tiwari

Workshop on Blockchain Technology and e-Governance: GNLU Center for Law and Technology

A one day Workshop on Blockchain Technology and e-Governance was organized by GNLU,Ahmedabad University through its GNLU Center for Law and Technology in collaboration with Gujarat Council on Science and Technology &  Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat on 19 Sept 2020. The webinar link for the same is as below:

The presentation is available for download at the following link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RT79-r5LhFXdbi2D_ZKgkwu8eH9v5225/view?usp=sharing

while also the scribd direct link for viewing is available as below:

Blockchain Technology and e-Governance by Anupam Tiwari on Scribd

Summer Internship Gurugram Police : Talk on Blockchain basics and Bitcoin crimes

Blockchain basics: Mechanic... by Anupam Tiwari

 

Sharing here a webinar presentation I gave in the Gurugram police summer internship on 27 June 2020.The webinar was attended by 400 plus participants. The link to the presentation pdf is given below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K13ljAstX4oCqd4iMtGROqseyMJ8Rp8R/view?usp=sharing

and the certificate I got as below:

Blockchain and Bitcoin: Overview and Internal mechanics

A webinar was conducted on Blockchain and Cybersecurity connects on 26 Aug 2020 for Aurobindo Institute of Technology.  The webinar primed upon the basics of what blockchain technology is and how it works in the backend. For better assimlation,it was assisted with due simulations.The link is shared above for readers info. The link for the presentation is as below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_IrnZBrI85jH5B2vSkDmgO-YAAbmzd5B/view?usp=sharing

 

Blockchain mechanics and Internals:Webinar link and presentation

A webinar was held on the topic "Blockchain mechanics and Internals" coordinated by Govt Women Polytechnic College,Bhopal on 13th June 2020.The video link is shared above and the presentation link is shared below:

Download presentation link : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZHSWGQn-8BAI5oXN6wl8fT96QqnL9Ny2/view?usp=sharing

IETE mid-term symposium on digital forensics and information security : 23 May 2020

IETE mid-term symposium webinar was held on "Digital forensics and information security "on 23 May 2020. A presentation on Blockchain basics was given by me. The link to access the presentation is given below:

Presentation Link: https://www.scribd.com/presentation/463780242/IETE-mid-term-symposium-Cryptocurrencies-and-Cyber-crimes

News Coverage : https://www.aninews.in/news/business/iete-conducts-mid-term-symposium-on-digital-forensics-and-information-security20200523131039/

IETE mid-term symposium: Cr... by Anupam Tiwari

 

Installation Bitcoin core on UBuntu 18.0.4 LTS : Bitcoin Mechanics -1

With this first post special to Bitcoin core,over next few months I intend to do some exploring on the bitcoin mechanics part.This basically means playing with the blocks and blockchain vide few python based scripts.Will start from the installation part followed by other posts on extracting info from bitcoin blockchain. This post basically is straight forward installation with the following commands.Screen shots for info :

Firstly install snapd with the following commands

sudo apt update
sudo apt install snapd

goto https://snapcraft.io/bitcoin-core

 

 click green button install

after this installation of snapd,one single command as follows:

sudo snap install bitcoin-core

The effected screenshots are seen below :

Once installed ,you can check on the terminal...should see three bitcoin applications by tabbing

While the GUI shows as below

When you run for the first time,the GUI notification pops for asking for location of default directory for storing blocks.

Thereafter the blocks start getting downloaded with status of files downloaded visible....

Blocks downloaded status is seen below...this downloading around 287 GB as on date will take time as per download speed available.

The location of the blocks being downloaded will be at /home/bitcoin_scripts/snap/bitcoin-core/common/.bitcoin/blocks where bitcoin_scripts is the user name.

Next post we will see whats inside the block....

How to Install Microsoft office 2007 on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS ?

This post will bring out steps on how to install Microsoft office 2007 or any version upto Office 2016 on a Ubuntu 18.04 LTS. Few of the commands one will require are given below followed by the screenshots of installation steps :

Installing XTERM

sudo apt-get update -y

sudo apt-get install -y xterm

Installing PlayOnLinux which relies on the WINEHQ Project

wget -q "http://deb.playonlinux.com/public.gpg" -O- | apt-key add -

wget http://deb.playonlinux.com/playonlinux_stretch.list -O /etc/apt/sources.list.d/playonlinux.list

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install playonlinux

The related screen shots are enclosed below for reference :

Installing playonlinux...terminal shots

Here we see the Microsoft office 2007 running....