How to Use the alias Command

Rai    Linux     alias, bash, code, command, hack, Linux, rhel, shortcut, Tips, trick

Let us say you execute the command ‘ls –alh’ every time you need a long listing of files and directories. Now you want a shortcut to do this. Fortunately, you can do so by using the command alias.

The alias command is useful for creating shortcuts for long commands or for correcting typing mistakes.

To create a shortcut for ls, you can do this:

$ alias ls=”ls -alh”

Now, everytime you execute ls command, it will be run as if you are executing the whole ls –alh command. Be reminded that this will replace the existing ls command. You may use a different name for the new shortcut like so:

$ alias ll=”ls -alh”

However, once you exit the current terminal, the alias will not be saved. To make the alias permanent, you may edit the .bashrc file in user’s home directory:

$ vi ~rai/.bashrc

Then insert the alias command after the line that says #system wide functions and aliases. Save and exit.

That should do it!

Hacking Tips for $40 Wii Remote

Rai    Games     Games, hack, johhny lee, nintendo, remote, whiteboard, wii

Nintendo Wii is a spectacular gaming console that revolutionized how console gaming works by using remote controllers, giving the players more variety than the ordinary controls. And many technology buffs like to research and experiment different other uses with the Wii Remote, other than as a game controller.

Researcher Johnny Lee takes a $40 Wii Remote and cheap hardware, and turns it to a digital whiteboard and a 3D viewer eye-glasses, among other things. That is how flexible the Wii Remote is.

Watch this video as Johnny demonstrates the Wii Hacks:

Source: www.ted.com

The great thing about the Wii remote lies in its design. The motion sensors inside each Wii remote (or Wiimote) makes it flexible for other uses other than just being a game controller. As a game controller, it can be a golf club or a bowling glove and makes a game more interactive and puts more ‘real action rather than pressing buttons. Put in a modified hardware, which is available from any hobby or electronic shop, slap in some free software and you got yourself a whole new gadget.

One thing I can think of as another use for the Wiimote is how you can use it as navigation system for visually impaired people. Since the Wiimote uses motion sensors, it can be modified to use as a simple navigation system and alerts the user for possible road obstacles like passing cars. I tried searching if there are any available documents on the net about this, but nothing came up yet. Maybe I ought to contact Johnny Lee about my idea.

Have You Seen The Latest EeePC Hacks?

Rai    Hardware, Others     eeepc, electronics, hack, Hardware, upgrade

This nice Wiki Page describes how to make your plain and simple EeePC into a super fancy notebook by doing some internal upgrades. Soldering experience required!

(Because of the extensibility of the article and EeePC, I will just put some of the upgrades here.)

• USB hub

• GPS with antenna

• Bluetooth

• FM transmitter
• Power switch
• Card reader

Security Flaws Found In Voting System

Rai    Linux, News, Society     bootable storage, election, hack, hacker, Linux, united states, usb, voting system

Days are coming nearer for the upcoming US Presidential Elections and security standards for electronic voting machines are getting higher. Security is the major factor in every electronic transaction including bank accounts and voting machines so the State of California requires that voting machines undergo a strict security testing. Security experts hacked and cracked the machines to ensure that the standards are met however, there are flaws found in the machines that may compromise the results of the election.

arstechnica.com writes:

Previous Red Team tests commissioned by the state of California revealed significant vulnerabilities in devices sold by Diebold and Sequoia. At the time, ES&S declined to participate in the testing, citing lack of preparedness. The tests on the ES&S machines were finally conducted in October, and the results, which were recently published (PDF), show that products from ES&S are as insecure as the rest.

The article further states that the tamper-proof paper seals on the machines are easily removed by common household items, which can be sneaked in without detection making the machine vulnerable for unauthorized access to its components. Furthermore, the key lock can be unlocked by using a simple office item without removing the seal.

These vulnerabilities gave the “attacker” access to its BIOS and able to modify the boot sequence. An external device loaded with bootable Linux can be used to give the attacker access to passwords.

ES&S is already in serious trouble in California for selling uncertified voting machines to several counties in violation of state law.

Philippine’s LTO Site Defaced / Hacked

Rai    Linux, News, Society     cybercrime, deface, hack, lto, neda, Philippines

This morning, Philippines’ Land Transportation Office official website, www.lto.gov.ph was defaced by someone who calls himself iSKORPiTX. The website’s original landing page was replaced with the hacker’s page displaying the waving flag of Turkey.

This is another defacement of Philippines’ government site following the defacement of NEDA official site.

Here is the screenshot:

Hmmm.. another script kiddie on the loose? I don’t know – you tell me

Actually, I have received a notice from one of our hosting providers during the time that the accounts in their servers were compromised. The page shown above is somewhat similar to what we had to one of static sites (no big deal here, no critical operations were being performed on that site). The explanation they gave was they are suspecting a worm or virus of some kind with the capability to sniff FTP accounts especially those that were left unchanged. This kind of activity gives the hacker opportunity to delete and upload files to their will. We changed providers after that.

You got your own hosting provider horror story? Share it here.

An update from http://technogra.ph

Update: We’ve been notified by Aileen Apolo of Google Philippines that the PNP Cybercrime Unit will be handling the case.