We find that when developers and aspiring developers spend time learning something, there is often a desire to apply it to something practical that can be used in everyday life. Here we aim to share a couple of examples of this type of hands-on kit and give you the information you need to decide if this is the right kit for you as a techy music enthusiast.

ReSpeaker Core v2.0 ($99)

Tech Spec Details:
This kit allows you to create great sounding voice and sound interfaces. The board can be used as a base to create smart assistant capable speakers and is highly flexible. The core runs Debian OS, features a Rockchip RK3229 Quad-Core Cortex-A, and is powered by a high-performance Axol Core module.

Potential applications for the product are smart speakers, intelligent voice assistants, voice recorders, voice conferencing systems, voice interacting robots and car voice assistants to name a few.

Specs

• Dimensions: 100mm x 96mm x 18mm
• Weight: 180 g
• ARM Quad-Core Corex-A7 up to 1.5GHz / ARM Mail-400MP2 GPU
• 1 GB RAM DDR3
• Microphone: 8 Channel ADC for 6 Microphone Array and 2 Loopbacks
• Headset connector: 3.5mm Audio Headset Connector
• Speaker connector: JST 2.0 Output Connector for 8 Ohm Speakers
• Video output: HDMI 2.0 (driver not yet available)
• WiFi: 802.11 b/g/n
• Bluetooth 4.0
• Flash: 4GB eMMC on-board
• SD card slot
• 3 USB hosts/OTG
• 1 USB power
• 1 Grove socket, support I2C and digital port
• 6 GPIO
• 1 Debug UART
• 12 programmable LEDs

Features

• Debian-Based Linux System
• SDK for Speech Algorithms with Full Documents
• C++ SDK and Python Wrapper
• Speech Algorithms and Features
• Keyword Spotting (Wake-Up)
• BF (Beamforming)
• DoA (Direction of Arrival)
• NS (Noise Suppression)
• AEC (Acoustic Echo Cancellation) and AGC (Automatic Gain Control)
• All-in-One Solution with High-Performance SoC
• 8 Channel ADC for 6 Microphone Array and 2 Loopbacks (Hardware Loopback)

If you’re looking for something similar to the above but not 100% sure if its got everything you want, then have a look at the VoCore2 Mini Linux Computer + Ultimate Dock. This tiny computer is versatile and can be used as a VPN gateway to secure your network, a private cloud to store your data or an airplay music streaming station.

It’s currently 14% off at $42.99. You can even enhance the functions by writing code for the VoCore 2 in C, Java, Python, Ruby, JavaScript, and more.The VoCore2 Mini Linux Computer + Ultimate Dock has 58 reviews and a 4.5 star rating.

We have plenty of deals you can snap up on Hack Ware News, and we hope you find what you’re looking for. We are selective about what we offer so that we can consistently offer the products we believe our customers would enjoy and get benefit from.

The post Music, Voice and Sound interface kits: What you need to know appeared first on Hack Ware News.

In this series, we look at some great techy gear and gadgets so you can put your skills to the test and have some fun along the way. We tailor pick gadgets and gear that we think adds a new way of experiencing or learning an area of tech, to help you get your head out of the textbooks and into some hands-on, but fun, learning. If you’ve just joined us, you can find part one of the series here or part two here.

MagicKey 3-in-1  DIY MIDI Gamepad Keyboard ($32.99)

Another fun and entertaining gadget by SunFounder here! This is a multi-function controller based on the Atmel ATmega32U4. You just need to connect this controller to a Raspberry Pi or PC and you can create a gamepad! You can then use this gamepad to play games, type, or Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI). Just a reminder that this product requires Raspberry Pi or PC in order to work, these are not included.

In a nutshell:

• Combines gamepad, keyboard, & MIDI functionality in one
• Uses anything conductive as the keys for your creative works
• Change the keys’ value for your creations using the Raspberry Pi visual programming language software
• Multiple connections let you use buttons on board, alligator clips, or pin headers as inputs
• Can connect to the computer via mini USB cable for further keyboard & gamepad use

Click here for more information on this product

TinyTesla Musical Coil Kit ($197)

This product by OneTesla is a SSTC mini-musical Tesla coil with USB technology. This fun and amusing gadget is accessible for techies of all levels, the kit comes with all the electronic and hardware components you need to build your own singing Tesla coil. All you need to do is plug it into your laptop or PC and you’re ready. Everyone likes a bit of sparks flying, but only when its safe of course as it is with this kit!

In a nutshell:

• Completed kit shoots sparks up to 4 inches long
• USB interrupter allows you to control your Tesla coil from a laptop
• Play MIDI files & make music using the sparks themselves
• Small size & low component count makes it easy to assemble
• Ideal for newcomers to the Tesla coiling hobby, as well as seasoned DIY electronics enthusiasts

Click here for more information on this product.

Kinkajou Bottle Cutting and Candle Making Kit ($59.99)

This versatile and entertaining kit by Bottle Cutting allows you to cut bottles into impressive glassware to impress your friends and also make some fancy candles. This kit allows you to take your favourite bottles and shape them into glassware to keep, the added bonus of the candle maker means you can fill your new glasses with homemade soy candles. This kit is perfect for techies who also have a creative flair and want to try their hand at some art & design glassware, as well as getting hands-on with assembly.

In a nutshell:

• Includes Bottle Cutting & Candle Making Kits
• Designed to cut round bottles from 43 to 102mm
• Creates soy candles
• Make great gifts
• Perfect for creating custom drinking glass sets

Click here for more information on this product.

Flexbot Hexacopter Kit ($89.99)

This DIY helicopter kit by FlexBot includes all the materials you need to create your own flying helicopter that you can play take to the great outdoors! The kit is accessible to techies of all levels since it includes simple, focused and straightforward instructions to put together the helicopter. We know technology enthusiasts are always looking for ways to learn new things in a hands-on way, advance your skills but also step away from the screen, this kit helps you do just that. An added bonus is that the kit looks stylish with an orange and white colour scheme.

In a nutshell:

• Control the Flexbot using the gravity sensors in your smartphone or tablet
• Personalize your flying experience w/ any design you like
• Customize your Flexbot further by 3D printing your own additions at home
• Add new modules using the Arduino compatibility
• Lower flying noise, remove signals, & more by coding it yourself

Click here to find out more about this product.

That completes series 3 of our Great Techy Gear and Gadgets where we aim to bring you fun and educational techy products so you can continue to impress your friends! We try to hand pick gadgets based on what we think our techies want. We know when you’re learning new technical skills such as programming languages or electronics, sometimes the material can be a little dry, and you get little time to get your head out of the books and into something hands on but also fun, that’s what we’ve considered in this series. We’ll be back soon with part 4.

The post Great Techy Gear and Gadgets: Series 3 appeared first on Hack Ware News.

In this series we’ll look at some great techy gear and gadgets so you can put your skills to the test and have some fun along the way.

The Complete Arduino Starter Kit & Course Bundle ($89.99) 

The Complete Arduino Starter Kit & Course Bundle

Arduino is the open-source electronics platform that lets you create digital devices and interactive objects in the physical and digital world. Arduino consists of a programmable circuit board (the hardware) and a piece of software that you can run on your computer to write and upload code to the board. This course allows you to delve into the specifics of the platform, as a beginner and emerge knowing about various boards, how to run programs and even get you kick started on your first hands-on project.

This course includes:

• Access 289 lectures & 30 hours of content 24/7
• Explore the Arduino platform & learn about boards and software
• Dive into control statements, sketching, variables & other Arduino concepts
• Learn by doing w/ an Arduino project
• Walk through programming LEDs & creating a motion sensor

Arduino has become increasingly popular with people delving into electronics because of its simplicity and ease of use compared to other electronics starter kits.

Force Flyers DIY Building Block Drone ($42.99)

This spaceship themed drone allows you to put your DIY skills to the test, whilst having fun at the same time. The building of the drone uses several Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) principles, and at the end you get your own flying and spying drone. Explore aerodynamics and weight distribution as you engineer the perfect design; then, get airborne and weave through tight spaces with a 6-axis gyro that makes for even smoother flying.

With this kit you get to:

• Build & customize your drone w/ fun building blocks
• Learn about key STEM concepts, like aerodynamics & weight distribution
• Compatible w/ all major building blocks for extra versatility
• Zip through tight spaces w/ the digital proportional control & a 6-axis gyro
• Pull off impressive 360° stunt flips
• Easily control your drone w/ auto-stabilization

Specs

• Style: space
• Dimensions: 4″H x 6″L x 6″W
• Compatible with all major toy building blocks
• 7v 600mAh Lipo battery
• 6-axis gyro
• 360-degree stunt flip
• Auto flight stabilization
• 4G long-range control
• Crash-resistant ABS plastic
• Flight time: 10 to 12 minutes
• Range: 160 to 240 feet
• Recharge time: about 60 minutes
• For indoor or outdoor use

DIY Robot Tissue Box Holder ($24.99)

This fun kit allows you to make your own DIY tissue box, adding a bit of quirk to your room. The tissue box is made out of durable Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) and can sport multiple expressions so you can get just the right amount of villainy on your desk, coffee table, or wherever else you’re in need of a tissue.

This kit allows you to:

• Build your own creative tissue holder
• Adjust the arms for multiple poses/configurations
• Polish & paint the surface to match any room’s decor
• Place anywhere thanks to durable MDF material

This may not be the most technically complex kit, but it is an excellent way to gain a quirky gadget in a hands-on way.

DIY Game Console Kit V2 ($17.99)

This kit is perfect for those of you who have always fancied building your own games console but been at a loss with where to start. This complete kit sets it all out for you and includes everything you need. The kit includes all the parts, the code, and also four retro games: Tetris, Snake, Racing and Shooting. You can then add additional games by modifying the code. This kit is a great way to learn the basics of electronics and console building.

More details on this kit:

• New upgraded version
• New design is easier to play & battery can be hidden inside
• Code & schematic provided
• Modify the code to add any games you’d like
• Comes w/ four retro games: Tetris, Snake, Racing, Shooting
• Easy to assemble: simple soldering & installation required
• Can run using a USB power supply or via the battery
• Size: 5.59 x 3.82 x 1.26 inch
• Power: DC4.5-5.5V 60mA, Computer USB power, mini USB Interface or 3x AAA battery
• Color: Black
• Controls:
  • Arrow Key Buttom: Direction control, choose game
  • Red Button: Switch on/off
  • Return Button: Return to Menu
  • OK Button: Enter/ Start
• Tools You May Need:
  • Pro32 Soldering Iron
  • ES120 Screwdriver
• Includes:
  • DIY Game Kit V2 (Battery not included)
  • Clear Shell

We hope you enjoyed series 1 of our Gear and Gadgets products, we’ll be back for series 2 to bring you more top techy picks.

The post Great Techy Gear and Gadgets: Series 1 appeared first on Hack Ware News.

It’s important for anyone running a Linux server, or any type of server for that matter, secure. Especially if it communicates with the outside world. Servers are like your houses in the digital realm. They have to be kept secure from intruders. So you have a Linux server, here’s how to secure it.

• Keep Your Server Clean and Lean

In other words, keep it simple, but secure. Install the apps and run only the services that you need. Additional apps, introduce vulnerabilities as well as unpatched services that can be exploited by external malicious actors. Keeping the server clean and lean also speeds up its performance. Also, depending on the Linux distro, a number of extra services will be run by default. Keep an eye out for those services. Check if they’re really important and if they are, make sure they’re updated.

A simple netstat –npl command in the terminal will show you all the running services and the ports they use. That’s another thing. These services might be using some ports you want to keep closed. Disable unwanted services with the following command.

Systemctl disable service_name

• Do not Log in as Root

It’s no secret that logging in as Root user gives you unrestricted access to everything in your Linux setup. And for many Linux users, it’s the easiest way to use Linux which is why most newbies log in as Root. Malicious attackers know this too. When users log in as Root, any running apps and services with vulnerabilities also give attackers unlimited access to everything else. The best practice for Linux users, is to create a user with enough sudo access to perform most tasks and only switch to Root when needed.

In Ubuntu for example, you can add a new user with sudo powers by typing in the following at the terminal:

adduser usercansudo

qpasswd –a usercansudo sudo

Afterwards, log out of the system and login as the new user then disable the Root user by editing the sshd_conf file.

Nano /etc/ssh/sshd_conf

Look for this commented item: #PermitRootLogin no

Remove the comment, save the file and restart the ssh service using the following command:

systemctl restart sshd

• Keep the Server to Yourself and others you Trust

Restrict access to your server to just you and others you implicitly trust. In the previous item, create as many users as you can with level access and disable root. The fewer the better though.

• Port Change

When logging in remotely, the default port for ssh is 22 which is what most people, including attackers would do to get into a Linux server. This port can be changed and by changing this port, eavesdroppers, attackers and bots will be left guessing how to log in to your system. It’s simple but effective. To change the ssh port, we go back to the sshd_conf file. You can issue the following commands:

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_conf

Find the commented port line:

#Port 22

Uncomment it and change the port number to something else. Feel free to change 22 to something between 1024 and 32,767 but make sure that no other service uses your chosen number. Then save the file. Restart the ssh service.

systemctl restart sshd

You can check  if it works by logging in through ssh with this command:

ssh -p{port_number}@server_IP

Example:

ssh –p1027 192.168.10.11

• Always Keep Your Server Patched and Updated

You’ve probably read plenty of articles regarding vulnerabilities that no basic user could probably think of but continuously explored by determined hackers out for a quick buck. No server is secure, not even Linux and the best defense for this, apart from a good firewall and anti-malware programs, is to keep your operating system and its packages updated. Always be on the lookout for core or kernel updates.

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If you love gaming, designing your own games or working for some of the hottest game companies around is sort of the dream. The School of Game Design was created to help you get started and eventually reach your goals. It lends a hand through a comprehensive selection of videos designed to teach you all of the fundamentals you need to create games you can be proud of. Best of all, right now lifetime access is on sale for only $59—not bad for an entire step by step journey from the basics through the most advanced techniques out there.

This bundle features 120 hours of practical instruction led by experts with 16+ years of industry experience. You’ll learn how to create high-grade 2D and 3D games, and should be ready to produce and publish on your own by courses’ end. You’ll go through modeling, animation, and digital artistry as well as game coding. Plus, the subscription includes access to game art and textures worth many times the price of enrollment. The sky’s the limit on what you can achieve with these resources.

If you dream of making your own games but need a little nudge, this could very well be it. Get access today with this 99% off deal—$59 out the door and you could be well on your way to being the next industry giant.

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The post Learn Game Design From Industry Experts In This Online Course appeared first on Hack Ware News.

You have the ability to hack a vast network of computers within the game that are procedurally created. When the game begins you are given a desktop screen view with a readme file, explaining that you have access to this server and are free to do what you want, but if you’re caught everything is reset. The game provides users with some hints on how to get started, as well as a help section with a list of commands that can be used. This makes the game accessible to players across a range of skill levels since users more experienced in networks can jump straight in, and players still getting to grips with the concepts get a helping hand. We think this is a major strength of the game.

Where Grey Hack differs from a lot of other hacking games is that it is more technical in a lot of ways, with more emphasis on navigating through the file systems. This makes the game a good choice for aspiring ethical hackers and penetration testers, who want a more real experience. However, it is worth noting the game is a more simplified hacking experience than most real-world hacking. One criticism that has been shared about the game is that is can be too technical or confusing for non-tech savvy players, however there has been suggestions for tutorials that may help bridge this gap.

credit to iMissTooMuch

The game retails at $9.99 on Steam.

Remember this?

The post Grey Hack Game Review appeared first on Hack Ware News.

These days business is pretty much synonymous with technology, and having a professional knowledge of IT becomes more and more of an asset in any position. Whether you’re already an IT specialist and want to get a new certification, or you’re in a seemingly unrelated field but could stand to benefit from branching out, there’s a track in The Complete 2018 CompTIA Certification Training Bundle for you.

CompTIA is one of the most respected IT certification providers in the industry. The training starts with the foundational CompTIA certifications and a broad overview of IT literacy. If you’re interested in cloud environments, the bundle offers courses in Cloud Essentials and Cloud+, which train you to deliver and maintain enterprise-level cloud infrastructures, as well as pursue careers in the field.

Interested in security? CompTIA Advanced Security Professional teaches you how to design and implement solutions for enterprises at a high level. Beyond that, CSA+ teaches you how to defend against hackers using the new behavioral-analytical method.

If your focus is on entering project management, Project+ gives future project managers a guide on how to enter the super-lucrative field. Plus, additional courses include even more specialized areas like system administration in Linux, overall network administration, as well as healthcare-specific IT systems.

No matter your background, Complete 2018 CompTIA Bundle will give you the tools necessary to realize your IT goals. Grab it now for 98% off at $59 out the door.

The post Land a Career in IT With This Online CompTIA Certification Training appeared first on Hack Ware News.

There are dozens of digital marketing techniques used to showcase brands and products, each with its own set of best practices. Learning these skills is vital to marketing your brand successfully, but chasing down everything you need to learn can be a hassle. Luckily, this Complete Digital Marketing Course compounds all of these skills into a single course for $19, or 90% off.

This all-in-one course is split into 12 sub-courses covering everything you need to know about digital marketing, including SEO, Copywriting, Google AdWords, and more. For instance, you will learn how to validate your ideas with Typeform surveys by gathering market research, and how to drive engagement and acquire users using Facebook. The content is spread across 20 hours of lectures, quizzes, and hands-on practice so that you can master each marketing method and help your online business grow successfully.

You can buy the Complete Digital Marketing Course here for $19, down from $200.

 

The Complete Digital Marketing Course – $19

See Deal

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Most tech startups look to venture capitalists to acquire this funding for growth, since most startups will die without funding, and often the funding required is beyond the capability of friends and family’s pockets. Self-funding startups do exist, but they are the exception rather than the rule.

September has seen some cutting edge startups get major funding and recognition, let’s take a look.

1. Cloud Security startup RedLock

RedLock, a cloud Threat Defense company won the “Cloud Security Startup of the Year award” in recognition of their work managing the security risks and compliance across several cloud platforms; Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Environments. The Redlock Cloud 360 platform uses an innovative AI approach to visibility, detecting threats and responding quickly to security threats.

2. Cybersecurity startup Source Defense LTD

This Isreal-based cybersecurity company secured $10 million of funding in September. The company developed cloud-based software that detects and monitors third party applications used on websites. Source Defense have announced they intend to use the funding to increase their marketing.

3. Cybersecurity Startup Darktrace

This British startup has raised $50 million from a European private equity firm, increasing their net worth to a significant $1.65 Billion. The company’s technology, named Enterprise Immune System, uses machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and then respond automatically to cyber threats. It’s counter attacker works by slowing down or shutting down the device or connection it has detected as a threat.

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The vulnerability discovered by Qualys, the cloud-based security provider, could affect all versions of the kernel released between July 2007 and July 2017, covering the Linux, Red Hat, CentOS and Debian operating systems. The vulnerability has been dubbed “Mutagen Astronomy” and has the potential to be very dangerous if exploited successfully.

The vulnerability is an example of a local privilege escalation, wherein the memory tables can be exploited by attackers who have gained access to the system, and then can install malicious software that will gain root access to the system, allowing them to control of the system. The exploit would only work on 64-bit systems, since 32-bit systems do not have a large enough address field to exploit the flaw.

On 31 August 2018 Qualys reported their findings to Red Hat, who assigned it a high severity CVSS score of 7.8. Since the investigation, Red Hat have started to release security updates to target the issue. The Mutagen Astronomy vulnerability also does not affect Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 installed on the Linux Kernel.

Until a full patch has been released, Red Hat Enterprise Linux users can apply a temporary fix which is available through this customer portal page and are encouraged to do so. (https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/cve-2018-14634)

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