Uploaded February 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Try Hexway (it's free): hexway.io/downloads?utm_source=yt&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=grant
π Links Mentioned:
Download Kali Linux (Direct Download for 64-bit VirtualBox): cdimage.kali.org/kali-2022.4/kali-linux-2022.4-virtualbox-amd64.7z
Mr.Robot - VulnHub (Direct Download): download.vulnhub.com/mrrobot/mrRobot.ova
Kali Linux Install Page: kali.org/get-kali/#kali-virtual-machines
Mr Robot - VulnHub Install Page: vulnhub.com/entry/mr-robot-1,151
Hexway: hexway.io
Hexway Hive & Apiary - Red Team Workspace Install Page: hexway.io/downloads (Does work on Kali Linux 2022+ versions)
Hexway Hive & Apiary Online Demo: hexway.io/products-page
I Played Beginner-Level Security CTFs For 30 Days - Here's What I Learned: youtube.com/watch?v=Zw25_ySOrC0
Write-up (One of many write-ups, credit to author, nwrzd): nwrzd.medium.com/vulnhub-com-mr-robot-1-walkthrough-5119586b2a3f
β° Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
1:11 - Overview of Project
5:39 - Setting up Kali Linux & Mr. Robot
12:31 - Setting up Hive
20:37 - Flag 1
31:47 - Flag 2
52:45 - Flag 3
57:39 - Setting Up Apiary
1:05:00 - Conclusion
π Follow Me:
Twitter: twitter.com/collinsinfosec
Instagram: instagram.com/collinsinfosec
Cybercademy Discord Server: discord.gg/bWymWhCv9p
π€ Have questions, concerns, comments?:
Email me: grant@cybercademy.org
π§ Gear:
Laptop (Lenovo X1 Carbon Ultrabook 6th Gen): amzn.to/2O0UfAMβββββ
Monitors (Dell D Series 31.5β D3218HN): amzn.to/2EXlgRFβββββ
Keyboard (Velocifire VM01): amzn.to/2TEswfdβββββ
Headphones (Audio Technica ATH-M40x): amzn.to/2F4Tvq6βββββ
Work Monitors (Dell U4919DW UltraSharp 49 Curved Monitor): amzn.to/3yQmDhM
Desk (FLEXISPOT EW8 Comhar Electric Standing Desk): amzn.to/3S9OxvG
Try Hexway (it's free): hexway.io/downloads?utm_source=yt&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=grant
π Links Mentioned:
Download Kali Linux (Direct Download for 64-bit VirtualBox): cdimage.kali.org/kali-2022.4/kali-linux-2022.4-virtualbox-amd64.7z
Mr.Robot - VulnHub (Direct Download): download.vulnhub.com/mrrobot/mrRobot.ova
Kali Linux Install Page: kali.org/get-kali/#kali-virtual-machines
Mr Robot - VulnHub Install Page: vulnhub.com/entry/mr-robot-1,151
Hexway: hexway.io
Hexway Hive & Apiary - Red Team Workspace Install Page: hexway.io/downloads (Does work on Kali Linux 2022+ versions)
Hexway Hive & Apiary Online Demo: hexway.io/products-page
I Played Beginner-Level Security CTFs For 30 Days - Here's What I Learned: youtube.com/watch?v=Zw25_ySOrC0
Write-up (One of many write-ups, credit to author, nwrzd): nwrzd.medium.com/vulnhub-com-mr-robot-1-walkthrough-5119586b2a3f
β° Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
1:11 - Overview of Project
5:39 - Setting up Kali Linux & Mr. Robot
12:31 - Setting up Hive
20:37 - Flag 1
31:47 - Flag 2
52:45 - Flag 3
57:39 - Setting Up Apiary
1:05:00 - Conclusion
π Follow Me:
Twitter: twitter.com/collinsinfosec
Instagram: instagram.com/collinsinfosec
Cybercademy Discord Server: discord.gg/bWymWhCv9p
π€ Have questions, concerns, comments?:
Email me: grant@cybercademy.org
π§ Gear:
Laptop (Lenovo X1 Carbon Ultrabook 6th Gen): amzn.to/2O0UfAMβββββ
Monitors (Dell D Series 31.5β D3218HN): amzn.to/2EXlgRFβββββ
Keyboard (Velocifire VM01): amzn.to/2TEswfdβββββ
Headphones (Audio Technica ATH-M40x): amzn.to/2F4Tvq6βββββ
Work Monitors (Dell U4919DW UltraSharp 49 Curved Monitor): amzn.to/3yQmDhM
Desk (FLEXISPOT EW8 Comhar Electric Standing Desk): amzn.to/3S9OxvG



Monitors (Dell D Series 31.5β D3218HN): [https://amzn.to/2EXlgRFβββββ](https://amzn.to/2EXlgRF%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B)
Keyboard (Velocifire VM01): [https://amzn.to/2TEswfdβββββ](https://amzn.to/2TEswfd%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B)
Headphones (Audio Technica ATH-M40x): [https://amzn.to/2F4Tvq6βββββ](https://amzn.to/2F4Tvq6%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B)
Work Monitors (Dell U4919DW UltraSharp 49 Curved Monitor): https://amzn.to/3yQmDhM
Desk (FLEXISPOT EW8 Comhar Electric Standing Desk): https://amzn.to/3S9OxvG
π» Cybersecurity PC Build Parts
[Processor] Intel Core i7-13700K 3.4 GHz 16-Core Processor: https://amzn.to/3OlTTUK
[Graphics Card] Asus DUAL OC GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 8 GB Video Card: https://amzn.to/3OE0bkd
[AIO Cooler] Corsair iCUE H100i RGB ELITE 65.57 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler: https://amzn.to/3DEUUT9
[Motherboard] MSI PRO Z690-A WIFI DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard: https://amzn.to/3Ol9La8
[RAM](/C:/Program%20Files/Joplin/resources/app.asar/2x 2x) Corsair Vengeance LPX 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory: https://amzn.to/3OlsgeM
[HDD] Seagate IronWolf NAS 8 TB 3.5 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive: https://amzn.to/3DFdc6K
[SSD] Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive: https://amzn.to/3KpTnnQ
[Case] Corsair 5000D AIRFLOW ATX Mid Tower Case: https://amzn.to/44Rjaxf
[Power Supply] Corsair RM850x (2021) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply: https://amzn.to/478wC1r
[Fans] Corsair iCUE SP120 RGB ELITE 47.7 CFM 120 mm Fans 3-Pack: https://amzn.to/44R4myD I Am Building an End-to-End Cybersecurity Homelab! (Complete Course)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TjY_zW4DtOA/mqdefault.jpg)
![I coded a spy tracking pixel.
π Try ProtonMail: http://proton.me/grant
π Spy Pixel GitHub Repository: https://github.com/collinsmc23/spy-pixel
π Resources:
https://medium.com/@riyasyash/pixel-tracking-how-easy-and-unethical-is-it-dff1c2ae1805
https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/big-data/building-a-serverless-tracking-pixel-solution-in-aws/
https://proton.me/blog/how-to-stop-email-trackers
https://jqn.medium.com/deploy-a-flask-app-on-aws-ec2-1850ae4b0d41
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/may/09/how-private-is-your-gmail-and-should-you-switch
https://proton.me/mail/security
https://proton.me/support/email-tracker-protection
π₯ Video Overview:
In todays video, I will be overviewing how applications can spy on you with a spy pixel by demonstrating the small spy pixel I wrote using Python and deployed on AWS. I am able to collect the User-Agent string, IP addresses, geolocation, and if the individual browses to the page where the pixel is located. I will specifically be using the email ecosystem to show you how spy pixels are often embedded in your emails. Although spy pixels can provide insight into who visits your website or if your email is read, its not privacy-friendly. Especially with your personal email inbox, sometimes you would rather wait to respond after opening an email, ignore its promotional junk, or simply not respond. But with a spy pixel, individuals, marketers, or companies can know if your email has been opened, identify the relative location of where its been opened if using their ISP-issued IP address, and gather information on your device. They could continue to send more emails and target you.
Spy pixels can be removed. There are several ways... you could use browser plugins, change the settings in your email client, or turn off HTML email entirely. All of these are viable ways, but are not very convenient or pleasing to read. Or you could use a privacy-first email application, Proton Mail, which blocks trackers, provides E2EE encryption, provides a pleasant user experience, and is completely free to use.
Specifically for the spy pixel - Proton Mail offers enhanced tracking protection which is enabled by default for all users. Proton Mail blocks email spy pixels (referred to as risky pixels) by pre-loading remote images on your behalf using a proxy with a generic IP address and geo-location. But they also hide your personal information and the exact time you opened the email. When you open an email containing blocked trackers, youll be notified with how many blocked trackers there are. (source https://proton.me/support/email-tracker-protection)
π Follow Me:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/collinsinfosec
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_collinsinfosec/
Cybercademy Discord Server: https://discord.gg/bWymWhCv9p
π€ Have questions, concerns, comments?:
Email me: grant@cybercademy.org
π§ Gear:
Laptop (Lenovo X1 Carbon Ultrabook 6th Gen): https://amzn.to/2O0UfAMβββββ
Monitors (Dell D Series 31.5β D3218HN): https://amzn.to/2EXlgRFβββββ
Keyboard (Velocifire VM01): https://amzn.to/2TEswfdβββββ
Headphones (Audio Technica ATH-M40x): https://amzn.to/2F4Tvq6βββββ
Work Monitors (Dell U4919DW UltraSharp 49 Curved Monitor): https://amzn.to/3yQmDhM
Desk (FLEXISPOT EW8 Comhar Electric Standing Desk): https://amzn.to/3S9OxvG
π» Cybersecurity PC Build Parts
[Processor] Intel Core i7-13700K 3.4 GHz 16-Core Processor: https://amzn.to/3OlTTUK
[Graphics Card] Asus DUAL OC GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 8 GB Video Card: https://amzn.to/3OE0bkd
[AIO Cooler] Corsair iCUE H100i RGB ELITE 65.57 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler: https://amzn.to/3DEUUT9
[Motherboard] MSI PRO Z690-A WIFI DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard: https://amzn.to/3Ol9La8
[RAM](2x) Corsair Vengeance LPX 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory: https://amzn.to/3OlsgeM
[HDD] Seagate IronWolf NAS 8 TB 3.5 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive: https://amzn.to/3DFdc6K
[SSD] Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive: https://amzn.to/3KpTnnQ
[Case] Corsair 5000D AIRFLOW ATX Mid Tower Case: https://amzn.to/44Rjaxf
[Power Supply] Corsair RM850x (2021) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply: https://amzn.to/478wC1r
[Fans] Corsair iCUE SP120 RGB ELITE 47.7 CFM 120 mm Fans 3-Pack: https://amzn.to/44R4myD I coded a spy tracking pixel.](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TlztKf7PlJ8/mqdefault.jpg)


![the reality vs. expectation in cybersecurity.
reality in cybersecurity careers is different. heres why.
β° Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
1:40 - 1) The Skills Shortage Gap
3:14 - 2) Adding Value Day One / Year One
6:51 - 3) Burnout & Information Overload
9:08 - Conclusion
π Follow Me:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/collinsinfosec
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_collinsinfosec/
Cybercademy Discord Server: https://discord.gg/bWymWhCv9p
π€ Have questions, concerns, comments?:
Email me: grant@cybercademy.org
π§ Gear:
Laptop (Lenovo X1 Carbon Ultrabook 6th Gen): https://amzn.to/2O0UfAMβββββ
Monitors (Dell D Series 31.5β D3218HN): https://amzn.to/2EXlgRFβββββ
Keyboard (Velocifire VM01): https://amzn.to/2TEswfdβββββ
Headphones (Audio Technica ATH-M40x): https://amzn.to/2F4Tvq6βββββ
Work Monitors (Dell U4919DW UltraSharp 49 Curved Monitor): https://amzn.to/3yQmDhM
Work Desk (FlexiSpot EW8 Comhar Electric Standing Desk): https://amzn.to/3S9OxvG
Personal Desk (FlexiSpot E7): https://www.flexispot.com/flexispot-best-standing-desk-e7pro
Desk Chair (FlexiSpot C7 Chair): https://www.flexispot.com/flexispot-best-ergonomic-office-chair-
π» Cybersecurity PC Build Parts
[Processor] Intel Core i7-13700K 3.4 GHz 16-Core Processor: https://amzn.to/3OlTTUK
[Graphics Card] Asus DUAL OC GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 8 GB Video Card: https://amzn.to/3OE0bkd
[AIO Cooler] Corsair iCUE H100i RGB ELITE 65.57 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler: https://amzn.to/3DEUUT9
[Motherboard] MSI PRO Z690-A WIFI DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard: https://amzn.to/3Ol9La8
[RAM](2x) Corsair Vengeance LPX 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory: https://amzn.to/3OlsgeM
[HDD] Seagate IronWolf NAS 8 TB 3.5 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive: https://amzn.to/3DFdc6K
[SSD] Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive: https://amzn.to/3KpTnnQ
[Case] Corsair 5000D AIRFLOW ATX Mid Tower Case: https://amzn.to/44Rjaxf
[Power Supply] Corsair RM850x (2021) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply: https://amzn.to/478wC1r
[Fans] Corsair iCUE SP120 RGB ELITE 47.7 CFM 120 mm Fans 3-Pack: https://amzn.to/44R4myD the reality vs. expectation in cybersecurity.](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UNWujTv8fg4/mqdefault.jpg)

![Get Started in Cybersecurity 2025 (A Guide)
A step-by-step guide to get started in cybersecurity in 2025.
π Learn more about the Build a Cybersecurity Homelab - A Practical Guide to Offense & Defense on January 15th!
β° Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
0:47 - Read the Security News
1:40 - Start with the I.T. Fundamentals
2:34 - Networking Deep Dive
3:19 - Programming Basics
4:10 - Operating System Basics
5:33 - Cybersecurity Basics
6:25 - Cloud & Virtualization
7:38 - AI & Its Developments
8:57 - (free course) Build a Cybersecurity Homelab - A Practical Guide to Offense & Defense
9:33 - Develop a Learning Plan
10:22 - Project-based Learning
10:40 - Formal Qualifications
11:12 - Your Community Network
11:36 - Conclusion
π Resources:
π° Security News Websites:
- https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/
- https://thehackernews.com/
- https://threatpost.com/
- https://www.securityweek.com/
- https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/
- https://www.zdnet.com/
π Podcasts (my favorites):
- Security Now by Steve Gibson: https://twit.tv/shows/security-now
- Unsupervised Learning by Daniel Miessler https://omny.fm/shows/unsupervised-learning
π CompTIA Exam Objectives (PDFs):
- CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 1 Objectives: https://shorturl.at/MNR23
- CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 2 Objectives: https://shorturl.at/iqSZ9
- CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives: https://shorturl.at/rCHU7
- CompTIA Security+ Certification Exam Objectives: https://certblaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CompTIA-Security-SY0-701-Exam-Objectives-1.pdf
π€ AI Websites:
- ChatGPT Sign-up: https://chat.openai.com/auth/login?ref=upstract.com
- LazyApply: https://lazyapply.com/
- Superhuman AI (Stay Updated on AI & Its Developments): https://www.superhuman.ai/
π» Crash Courses:
- Python For Ethical Hacking & Cybersecurity Basic Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qnagf4K4Ju8
- Googles Fundamentals of Python for Cybersecurity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pe1fn3Gus0
π General Resources:
- Cybersecurity Books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Ht1YUA
- Humble Bundle Books (seasonal packages): https://www.humblebundle.com/?partner=grantcollins
- NoStarch Press Books (use cybercademy25 for 25% off): https://nostarch.com/
π Follow Me:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/collinsinfosec
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_collinsinfosec/
Cybercademy Discord Server: https://discord.gg/bWymWhCv9p
π€ Have questions, concerns, comments?:
Email me: grant@cybercademy.org
π§ Gear:
Laptop (Lenovo X1 Carbon Ultrabook 6th Gen): https://amzn.to/2O0UfAMβββββ
Monitors (Dell D Series 31.5β D3218HN): https://amzn.to/2EXlgRFβββββ
Keyboard (Velocifire VM01): https://amzn.to/2TEswfdβββββ
Headphones (Audio Technica ATH-M40x): https://amzn.to/2F4Tvq6βββββ
Work Monitors (Dell U4919DW UltraSharp 49 Curved Monitor): https://amzn.to/3yQmDhM
Desk (FLEXISPOT EW8 Comhar Electric Standing Desk): https://amzn.to/3S9OxvG
π» Cybersecurity PC Build Parts
[Processor] Intel Core i7-13700K 3.4 GHz 16-Core Processor: https://amzn.to/3OlTTUK
[Graphics Card] Asus DUAL OC GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 8 GB Video Card: https://amzn.to/3OE0bkd
[AIO Cooler] Corsair iCUE H100i RGB ELITE 65.57 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler: https://amzn.to/3DEUUT9
[Motherboard] MSI PRO Z690-A WIFI DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard: https://amzn.to/3Ol9La8
[RAM](2x) Corsair Vengeance LPX 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory: https://amzn.to/3OlsgeM
[HDD] Seagate IronWolf NAS 8 TB 3.5 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive: https://amzn.to/3DFdc6K
[SSD] Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive: https://amzn.to/3KpTnnQ
[Case] Corsair 5000D AIRFLOW ATX Mid Tower Case: https://amzn.to/44Rjaxf
[Power Supply] Corsair RM850x (2021) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply: https://amzn.to/478wC1r
[Fans] Corsair iCUE SP120 RGB ELITE 47.7 CFM 120 mm Fans 3-Pack: https://amzn.to/44R4myD Get Started in Cybersecurity 2025 (A Guide)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UoHSVHF-GUE/mqdefault.jpg)


Monitors (Dell D Series 31.5β D3218HN): [https://amzn.to/2EXlgRFβββββ](https://amzn.to/2EXlgRF%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B)
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Headphones (Audio Technica ATH-M40x): [https://amzn.to/2F4Tvq6βββββ](https://amzn.to/2F4Tvq6%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B)
Work Monitors (Dell U4919DW UltraSharp 49 Curved Monitor): https://amzn.to/3yQmDhM
Desk (FLEXISPOT EW8 Comhar Electric Standing Desk): https://amzn.to/3S9OxvG
π» Cybersecurity PC Build Parts
[Processor] Intel Core i7-13700K 3.4 GHz 16-Core Processor: https://amzn.to/3OlTTUK
[Graphics Card] Asus DUAL OC GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 8 GB Video Card: https://amzn.to/3OE0bkd
[AIO Cooler] Corsair iCUE H100i RGB ELITE 65.57 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler: https://amzn.to/3DEUUT9
[Motherboard] MSI PRO Z690-A WIFI DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard: https://amzn.to/3Ol9La8
[RAM](/C:/Program%20Files/Joplin/resources/app.asar/2x 2x) Corsair Vengeance LPX 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory: https://amzn.to/3OlsgeM
[HDD] Seagate IronWolf NAS 8 TB 3.5 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive: https://amzn.to/3DFdc6K
[SSD] Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive: https://amzn.to/3KpTnnQ
[Case] Corsair 5000D AIRFLOW ATX Mid Tower Case: https://amzn.to/44Rjaxf
[Power Supply] Corsair RM850x (2021) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply: https://amzn.to/478wC1r
[Fans] Corsair iCUE SP120 RGB ELITE 47.7 CFM 120 mm Fans 3-Pack: https://amzn.to/44R4myD Cybersecurity Careers Are Evolving - Heres How.](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Vg1pm4_5iss/mqdefault.jpg)