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Articles by Mahin Ahmad
AWS Regions, Zones and IAM
Lets start with the concept of data centers: stacks and stacks of server hardware built with high speed RAMs, powerful CPUs and low latency storage drives running 24/7/365. They host the websites you visit, enterprise company data and pictures of the moon that you took with your budget phone! Relying on only one datacenter is not enough redundancy-wise. This is where AWS defines their 'Availability Zone' concept. 1 AZ = 1 (or more) data center acting as a single logical unit.
Advent of Cyber 2025 Day 21-24 Final Writeup | TryHackMe
πRoom Link You can use the Attackbox or just download the 'malicious' file. Do not run it. Open your text ediltor and open the file(drag and drop the file or ctrl+o) Task 2 questions are relatively easy. This is a hard one: The HTA is enumerating information from the local host executing the application. What two pieces of information about the computer it is running on are being exfiltrated? You should provide the two object names separated by commas.
Advent of Cyber 2025 Day 13-20 Writeup Sprint! | TryHackMe
Day 13: YARA! YARA is a tool to collect digital footprints, like in physical world where forensic people use tools to collect fingerprints. We define the rules about what a malicious behavior should be. A rule file consists of several parts: meta, strings, condition. meta is for the author, in case there are 100s of files to maintain. strings are what yara will look for in the malware files; we can use regex here. condition is how yara should look for them.
Advent of Cyber 2025 Day 10 Writeup: SOC Alert Triaging | TryHackMe
๐Room Link Today we have to login into Microsoft's cloud platform called Azure. There are multiple access pass available in case Azure blocks the accounts for suspicious activity!. usr-aoc25-eu@tryhackme.onmicrosoft.com email worked for me. Today's tasks focuses on Triaging in the face of a digital attack. From the SOC tool we can see all kinds of logs and infiltrations done by foreign actors. Fast Response: Analysts should priorities first.
Advent of Cyber 2025: Day 8 Writeup Prompt Injection | TryHackMe
π Room Link LLM breakthrough have unlocked a new field of AI called Agentic AI! It can accomplish a goal with minimal supervision with a planned approach. Think of a travel agent. You tell them you're going to spend five days in the Maldives and then they manage all the required steps: 1. Applying for a visa 2. Booking airplane tickets 3. Arranging accommodation Agentic AI is not a novel idea. Before LLM-based AI hype, there was/is a similar field called RPA ie.
Advent of Cyber 2025: Day 6 Writeup - War with Malware | TryHackMe
Room Link The room expects us to learn these topics: The principles of malware analysis An introduction to sandboxes Static vs. dynamic analysis Tools of the trade: PeStudio, ProcMon, Regshot Today's Target Machine itself is a full VM with GUI. We dont need an Attackbox today. Dont go around clicking random stuff in the VIM, the first task comes with a warning: "Please note, it is imperative that you do not execute the HopHelper.exe executable yet.
Advent of Cyber 2025: Day 5 IDOR this IDOR that| TryHackMe
Start both boxes; Or if you have the OpenVPN Connect connected in your machine then start the Target box only and then, in your machine, go to the challenge URL and login info mentioned in Task 2. IDOR, Insecure Direct Object Reference, is an authorization issue. A system with IDOR vulnerability will give me resources that I'm not supposed to have access to. All I have to do is change the http request parameters.
Advent of Cyber 2025: Day 4 Writeup AI-AI-AI | TryHackMe
Day 5 Challenge Room Page Look for this summary-picture what to start everyday. You dont need any special tools today, except for python. So if you have OpenVPN setup already then you don't need to start the Attackbox which has a 1 hour limit each day. Just start the Target Machine . For the next step, open Firefox and follow this quote from the second task: When you're ready, you can access Van SolveIT at http://10.49.141.x4x.
Advent of Cyber 2025: Day 2 Writeup | TryHackMe
For people new to TryHackMe, you may see a button 'Start AttackBox' button and then be confused between Attackbox and Targetbox. Targetbox is the server where flags are located, we have to find vulnerability aka h@ck that box. As for the Attackbox, its where you... 🕶 run your operations from 🕶. TryHackMe lets us spin up a GUI Attackbox for 1 hour each day; Targetbox dont have a such limit.
Advent of Cyber 2025: Day 1 Writeup & SideQuest | TryHackMe
Another year has passed by 🍁 autumn leaves are beginning to... leave :) and whatever cringe poetry Shakespeare did or did not say! Advent of Cyber takes its name from Advent of Code. If you are more of a programmer rather than a security/networking/linux enthusiast, then stay still! See if this stuff looks interesting, and then go the advent of code! First things first for the uninitiated, each page in THM is called a room.
Pakistanis can travel to the UK with vaccination certificates
The good news for Pakistanis traveling to the UK is that Pakistani travelers will now be able to travel to the UK with their vaccination certificates. The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Christian Turner, confirmed that the vaccination certificates issued by NADRA would now be accepted in the UK. Earlier, the UK did not accept vaccines administered in Pakistan, including its list of approved vaccines.
Bandai Namco to change its iconic logo design
Globally popular multinational Japanese video game publishing company Bandai Namco, well known for a large number of multi-million dollar franchises, is changing its iconic red, yellow, and orange logo for a simpler look. According to reports, much to fan’s dismay, the company will be changing its logo next year, which it states encapsulates the company’s purpose of “fun for all into the future”.
Pandora Papers carry more Pakistanis than Panama Papers
The world’s largest investigation into the financial affairs of celebrities and famous figures, the Pandora Papers, has been completed. The Pandora Papers contain 11 million files and the investigation involved more than 600 reporters from 150 media outlets in 117 countries. Omar Cheema and Fakhr Durrani of The News from Pakistan also participated in what can be called the largest investigation in the world of journalism.
Six officers suspended for keeping citizen in custody
In Lahore, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations suspended six officers, including the Station House Officer (SHO) of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Police Station. Details state that the suspension came on charges of torturing and detaining a citizen, and a case has been registered against the accused policemen. All six were detained in the same police station.
AIMIM to give tickets to 100 candidates for UP elections
Lucknow: All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-e-Muslim (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi has intensified preparations for the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. AIMIM will field its candidates on 100 seats for the upcoming assembly elections in the state. AIMIM will also appoint first 100 area in-charges for these 100 seats. After this, these in-charges will constitute a committee of workers at the polling booth level and they will give the report of the candidates who have taken tickets to the in-charges.
US must restore frozen funds before nuclear talks: Iran
Iran says that if the United States wants to revive nuclear talks it must first restore $10 billion in frozen funds, which the US has been preventing Iran from withdrawing due to sanctions. Iranian foreign minister Hussein Amir Abdullahiyan told state television in an interview that the US has been in touch with them since last month to revive nuclear talks.
Pandora leaks consolidate the PM's stance: Fawad Chaudhary
On Sunday, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry stated that facts laid bare in the “Pandora Papers” were a breakthrough step and would unlock new paths of transparency. His statement added that it would strengthen PM Imran Khan’s stance about rich people hiding their money, looted from poor countries, in rich countries. In a tweet, Fawad Chaudhary said that the Panama Papers revealed offshore assets of the corrupt.
Legendary comedian Umer Sharif passes away
Legendary comedian and actor Umer Sharif has passed away. He had been in poor health for quite some time and was scheduled to go to the United States (US) for treatment but breathed his last before getting there. According to reports, Umer Sharif passed away while in Germany where the air ambulance carrying him to the US had to land due to his condition deteriorating.
Saif Ali Khan reveals secret to a successful life
Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has revealed the secret of a successful married life with his wife acclaimed Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor. In an interview, Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan said, “I am not on any social media, but I still have a mobile habit and I get tired of using it. But I never forbade Kareena from using social media, she herself is a great woman and knows what she should do.” “I have always given Kareena space.
CNG prices increase sharply in Sindh and Punjab
After petrol, LPG, and LNG, now the price of CNG has also been increased. The increase has been quite sharp, being Rs 15 per kg all at once. Ghiyas Paracha, president of All Pakistan CNG Association, has said that the price of CNG in Sindh has been increased by Rs 15 per kg. The association said that the price of CNG will be at least Rs 180 per kg. Ghiyas Paracha further said that the price of imported gas has gone up in Punjab and Sindh from starting today.
US objects to reconciliation with TTP and Baloch militants
Washington: The United States (US) has objected to reconciliation with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch militants. According to reports, the US Deputy Secretary of State has once again urged Pakistan to take action against all militant and terrorist groups without discrimination.
Political figures mourn the death of Omar Sharif
Political figures, including President Arif Ali and Prime Minister Imran Khan, have expressed their grief over the death of renowned comedian and actor Omar Sharif. Expressing grief over the demise of Omar Sharif, the President said that the comedian had possessed a unique sense of humor. “He made his own unique place in the world of comedy, and may Allah Almighty bestow mercy on him and patience on his family,” the Prime Minister said.
Facebook adds more features linking Instagram, Messenger
Facebook has made another significant step towards integrating chat systems into Instagram and Messenger as part of its project to enable users to cross-message on any apps owned by Facebook. Last year, the company introduced cross-messaging in Messenger and Instagram, and now features a cross-app group chat feature. This means that it will now be possible to have group chats with Messenger and Instagram contacts.
PM Khan in talks with TTP in Afghanistan
Prime Minister Imran Khan says he is in talks with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to disband them and make them ordinary citizens again. The Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan in an interview with Turkish TV said that some groups of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) wanted to talk to the government, and as such, they are in touch with them.
Saudi Arabia will supply oil to Pakistan on late payment
Jhelum: Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen has said that the issue of obtaining oil from Saudi Arabia on late payment has been settled. Talking to media in Jhelum, Shaukat Tareen said that Saudi Arabia would facilitate Pakistan with $150 million per month which will amount to a collective $3.6 billion worth in two years. Shaukat Tareen said the money would be used to buy oil. This news comes after the price of petroleum products in the country has risen to up to Rs8.82.
Xbox Cloud Gaming launches in four more countries
Microsoft Xbox has decided to launch its cloud gaming service xCloud in four additional countries, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and Japan. The company had been testing the service’s viability in these markets for a while and has finally decided to launch them there. According to The Verge, yesterday, on September 30, Xbox Gamepass Ultimate subscribers in Mexico and Brazil had the xCloud service made available to them, whereas Australia and Japan received it today.
Haqida Kiyani appeals for prayers for her mother
Leading Pakistani singer and actress Hadiqa Kiyani has appealed to fans to pray for her mother on social networking site Instagram. Hadiqa Kayani shared a story on the photo and video-sharing app Instagram and released a message requesting prayers for her mother. “Prayers have power and my mother desperately needs your prayers,” she wrote in her Instagram story. “Pray for my mother’s peace, happiness, courage, and strength,” Kiyani added in her Instagram story.
Javed Iqbal to remain NAB Chairman till new appointment
ISLAMABAD: Significant progress has been regarding the issue of extending Chairman NAB Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal’s tenure. A draft has been prepared in this regard. According to sources, the Law Ministry has prepared a draft for extending the tenure of Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal’s tenure as the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman through the proposed Presidential Ordinance, the text of which will be submitted to the President today after the approval of the Prime Minister.
FBR website crashes amidst throngs of tax filers
Today, September 30, is the last day for filing income tax returns, and the Federal Bureau of Revenue’s (FBR) website has gone down in several cities as tax filers overload the website. According to the FBR spokesperson, efforts are being made to get the site up and running again. It is to be noted that the FBR adamantly refused to extend the date for its tax submission, saying that it hadn’t even entertained the notion.
Man dies after guzzling soft drink in scorching heat
BEIJING: A young man lost his life after guzzling a 1.5 liter cold soft drink in scorching heat in China in just ten minutes to cool himself down. According to foreign media reports, the young Chinese man drank one and a half liters of the soft drink in just ten minutes to give himself relief from the scorching heat. Daily Mail states that six hours after drinking the soft drink, he suffered severe abdominal pain and swelling, after which he was taken to Chaoyang Hospital in Beijing.
FBR extends date for filing tax returns
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the date for submission of income tax returns to October 15 in wake of system failures. According to sources, the FBR had received orders by the Minister of Finance Shaukat Tarin for an extension in the date of submission of tax returns, with which the FBR officials at last complied. A statement issued by the FBR spokesperson said that the date for submission of income tax returns has been extended to October 15.
Arabian Sea hurricanes could affect Sindh coastal areas
A tropical storm is forming in the northeastern Arabian Sea, which is likely to bring torrential rains and strong winds to the coastal areas of Sindh and Makran. The Meteorological Department has issued an alert that air pressure is low in the eastern Arabian Sea and a depression is forming 340 km east and southeast of Karachi which can intensify in the next 24 hours, forming a tropical storm. The Meteorological Department has further said that the storm will move northwest.
Dr. Khaula murder case: accused give statements
Lahore: The accused arrested in the murder case of Dr. Khaula in Defense Housing Authority (DHA) are under investigation and have given their statements. According to police, Ayaz, one of the accused in Dr. Khaula’s murder, said in his statement that he was riding a motorcycle at the time of the incident when his partner, Bilal, riding with him, opened fire. Police further state Bilal said in his statement that he snatched the mobile phone from the doctor and fled to the library.
Netflix buys Night School Studio, creators of Oxenfree
The streaming service industry is facing greater competition as an increasing number of platforms are becoming available and as such, to diversify its revenue streams, Netlfix has taken to enter the gaming industry. According to reports, Netflix has bought its first video game studio the Night School Studio, creators of Oxenfree. Furthermore, it has already rolled out five video game titles in certain European markets.
CPEC projects nearing completion: PM Khan
Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Pak-China Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects had been facing difficulties due to coronavirus but now they are nearing completion at a stable pace. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Matiari to 600KV Lahore transmission line in Islamabad, Imran Khan said that he offers his congratulations to all those who had been working on the project since 2018 and had finally finished it.
CAA bans travel without a vaccination certificate
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a new travel guideline regarding international and domestic flights according to which traveling is banned without a vaccination certificate. Reports state that the Civil Aviation Authority has imposed a ban on traveling without a coronavirus vaccination certificate starting October 1.
Babar Azam becomes the highest-scoring Pakistani in T20
Babar Azam, captain of the national cricket team, has become the highest-scoring Pakistani in T20 cricket and crossed a milestone by scoring his 6th century. Leading Central Punjab in the ongoing National T20 in Rawalpindi on Thursday, Babar Azam played an unbeaten innings of 105 off 63 balls, scoring the sixth century of his career. With this feat, he has also become the highest-scoring Pakistani in the T20 series.
Pakistan invites the Taliban to join CPEC
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has invited the Taliban to join the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure project. According to the information received in this regard, on Monday, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan said that Pakistan has invited the Taliban government to join CPEC.
BTS Jungkook resigns as director of Six6uys
Jungkook, a member of the globally popular band BTS, has resigned as the internal director of his brother’s clothing brand Six6uys after being accused of false advertising. According to reports, Jeon Junghyun, Jungkook’s brother founded the company just a few months ago on May 21, according to the company’s register. The brand aims at selling accessories as well, along with clothing.
US calls for action against all those who support Taliban
A bill on Afghanistan has been introduced in the US Senate, calling for action against all those who support the Taliban. US Senator Marco Rubio, along with Senator Jim Risch and 20 others, introduced the Anti-Terrorism, Surveillance and Accountability Bill for Afghanistan.
Omar Sharif will leave Germany for Iceland today
The air ambulance carrying well-known actor and comedian Omar Sharif will leave Germany for Iceland today. Due to worsening condition while in air, the comedian had to be admitted to a German hospital. Yesterday, Omar Sharif was en route from Karachi to the United States via Germany by air ambulance. However, due to fatigue and a long journey, his condition deteriorated and he was admitted to the hospital in Germany for further medical examination and rest.
Rihanna’s fashion show sparks controversy
Recently, globally popular singer Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty fashion show took place and it did not take long for it to spark a debate online about cultural appropriation after the models’ hairs were seen styled into braids, a style that usually Black women used.
Standing Committee Passes Journalists Protection Bill
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Human Rights has passed the Journalists Protection Bill 2021 with amendments. The Standing Committee on Human Rights of the National Assembly held a meeting and passed the Journalists Protection Bill 2021 with amendments. On the occasion, Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari said that the Journalists Protection Bill was drafted after direct consultation with journalists.
Kate, Camila stun at No Time to Die premiere
LONDON: Recently, the highly anticipated latest installment of the James Bond movies, No Time to Die, premiered at London’s Royal Albert Hall and the royals stunned the red carpet in their gorgeous attires. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were joined by the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, and the Duchess of Cornwall, Camila to attend the star-studded world premiere of the latest James Bond movie, No Time To Die.
FBR offices to remain open for longer hours to aid tax filers
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended working hours at all its relevant offices for collecting tax returns to facilitate income tax filers. According to details, a statement issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has stated that all the relevant FBR offices would remain open till 12 midnight on September 29 and 30. September 30 is the last date for filing income tax returns.
Justice Athar Minallah speaks on hate speech on social media
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has heard a case against the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for violating its powers. Justice Minallah has stated that protecting the citizenry is the court’s responsibility. Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court, Justice Athar Minallah, has said that the protection of the fundamental rights of citizens is the responsibility of the court. The Chief Justice questioned that why the SOPs made by the FIA were not being implemented.
Sanghar: Recently married couple shot dead
Sanghar: A young married couple was shot dead in the Lashar village. They hadn’t been married for too long and were cousins. According to police, the incident took place in Long Khan Lashari village, where gunmen opened fire and killed the couple. Police say the victims were cousins and had got married five months ago. Both had taken refuge in relatives’ houses. Police have taken the bodies into custody and have shifted them to the hospital. An investigation has been launched into the incident.
French President Macron is egged on once again
France: Once again, French President Macron has become victim to a rather bizarre kind of assault. An egg was thrown at him while he was at a restaurant trade fair in Lyon. The incident was caught on video and has since been gaining traction on social media. فرانسیسی صدر میکرون کو ایک بار پھر انڈا مار دیا گیا pic.twitter.com/2mu9lsKI0P — Baaghitv باغی ٹی وی (@BaaghiTV) September 27, 2021 Details state that the perpetrator was immediately arrested after the incident and detained.
Zubair Umar says obscene leaked video is 'doctored’
Former Sindh Governor and senior PML-N leader Muhammad Zubair has asserted that the leaked video is “fake and doctored” and whoever spread it did an “an extremely poor and shameful act”. The video has been going viral all over social media upon which Zubair Umar, who is also the older brother of Federal Minister Asad Umar, lashed out and made a statement on microblogging website Twitter. This is no politics. In fact a new low !! By launching a fake & doctored video against me.
Pakistan needs to form a policy for its film industry: Shaan
Shaan Shahid, arguably the most famous film actor in Pakistan, has asserted the need for having a government policy for the entertainment industry, emphasizing the role cinema plays in fifth-generation warfare, as well as in preserving and spreading culture.
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