Who Am I?
IT Random Stuff is a personal technical blog about Linux, homelabs, computer security, old hardware, laptops, honeypots, Docker, firewalls and practical sysadmin experiments.
The goal of this blog is simple: document useful IT things in a way that is practical, understandable and based on real-world tinkering.
This is not a corporate security blog. It is not a place for buzzwords, vendor slides or perfect lab conditions. It is a place for notes, guides, checklists and lessons learned while working with Linux systems, home servers, containers, networking tools and older hardware that still has plenty of life left.
What this blog covers
The main topics here include:
- Linux home server setup and hardening;
- Docker and self-hosted services;
- UFW firewall rules and SSH security;
- Fail2ban, Lynis and other defensive security tools;
- honeypots and small security labs;
- backup strategies for home servers and containers;
- old laptops and workstations used as cheap homelab machines;
- small fixes, tweaks and experiments that are useful enough to document.
Why I write these posts
A lot of useful IT knowledge comes from small practical problems:
- Why is this port open?
- How do I avoid locking myself out of SSH?
- Where is my Docker container actually storing data?
- How do I make this old machine useful again?
- What should I fix first after running a security audit?
When I solve something or find a setup worth keeping, I try to write it down here. Sometimes the result is a checklist. Sometimes it is a command reference. Sometimes it is just a practical guide that future me would want to find again.
Security focus
Many posts on this blog are related to computer security, but the focus is defensive and educational.
The guides here are written for people who want to secure their own systems, understand their home networks, monitor their services, harden Linux servers, experiment safely with honeypots, or learn more about how common tools behave in a real environment.
Nothing here should be treated as professional security advice for critical systems. Always understand a command before running it, test changes carefully, and keep backups before modifying important servers.
Homelab approach
I like practical setups that normal people can actually run:
- old desktops reused as servers;
- old laptops running Linux;
- small Docker stacks;
- simple monitoring;
- basic but useful firewall rules;
- boring backups that actually restore.
Perfect enterprise architecture is nice, but most home labs start with whatever hardware is available and a willingness to learn.
That is the spirit of this blog.
About the content
The posts are written to be practical and easy to follow. I try to include commands, examples, explanations and warnings where something can break.
Technology changes, packages change and distributions change, so always check official documentation when applying something to an important system. If you spot something outdated or incorrect, feel free to get in touch through the contact page.
Start here
If you are new to the blog, a good starting point is the Start Here page. It groups the main Linux, homelab, Docker and security posts into a suggested reading order.
Thanks for reading, and hopefully something here saves you time, prevents a mistake, or gives you an idea for your own setup.
About IT Random Stuff
Hi, I’m Ms
MSc in Computer Science with 17+ years of experience in software development, systems administration, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise IT.
IT Random Stuff is where I document real-world solutions, troubleshooting guides, technical discoveries, and lessons learned throughout my career working with technology.
Over the years, I’ve worked across multiple areas of IT, including software development, Linux administration, networking, virtualization, cloud platforms, automation, security, and infrastructure management. Like many IT professionals, I’ve spent countless hours solving issues that weren’t properly documented anywhere else. This website exists to share those solutions and help others save time.
Why I Created IT Random Stuff
The idea behind IT Random Stuff is simple: publish practical technical content based on real experience.
Many of the articles you find here started as personal notes written while troubleshooting production issues, configuring systems, securing environments, or testing new technologies. Instead of keeping those solutions private, I decided to share them publicly so others facing the same challenges can benefit.
My goal is to create content that is:
- Practical and actionable
- Based on hands-on experience
- Easy to follow
- Updated when better solutions become available
- Focused on solving real technical problems
Areas of Expertise
Topics covered on this blog include:
- Software Development
- Cybersecurity
- Linux and System Administration
- Cloud Computing
- Networking
- Virtualization
- Infrastructure Automation
- DevOps Practices
- IT Troubleshooting
- Enterprise Technologies
- Emerging Technologies and AI
While technology evolves constantly, the focus remains the same: providing accurate, useful, and experience-driven content.
Professional Background
I hold a Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science and have spent more than 17 years working in the technology sector.
Throughout my career, I’ve been involved in designing, developing, securing, maintaining, and optimizing complex IT systems. This experience allows me to approach technical problems from both a development and infrastructure perspective.
The content published on IT Random Stuff reflects this hands-on background and is written with technical accuracy, clarity, and practical value in mind.
What You’ll Find Here
On this site you’ll find:
- Step-by-step tutorials
- Troubleshooting guides
- Security recommendations
- Configuration examples
- Technical walkthroughs
- Automation tips
- Product reviews and technology insights
- Lessons learned from real projects
Whenever possible, articles include tested procedures, screenshots, examples, and explanations designed to help both beginners and experienced professionals.
Beyond Technology
Although technology is a major part of my professional life, I also enjoy continuous learning, exploring new ideas, and staying up to date with industry trends.
I believe some of the best technical solutions come from curiosity, experimentation, and a willingness to keep learning.
Transparency
IT Random Stuff is an independent technology blog.
Opinions expressed here are my own and are based on personal experience, research, testing, and professional knowledge. While I strive for accuracy, technology changes rapidly, and readers should always validate critical configurations and security recommendations in their own environments.
Get in Touch
If you have questions, suggestions, corrections, or would like to discuss a topic covered on the site, feel free to reach out.
Thank you for visiting IT Random Stuff and being part of the community.
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