Secret Recipes of the Python Ninja

General security

In software, many vulnerabilities are due to bugs that allow remote code execution or privilege escalation. One of the worst vulnerabilities is the advanced persistent threat (APT). An APT occurs when an attacker gains access to a network, installs software on one or more systems, then uses that software to retrieve data from the network, such as passwords, financial information, and so on. While most APTs attempt to hide their activity, ransomware and hardware attacks are notable for being very loud and proud in announcing that they are on the network.

The systems that are infected first are often not the end targets; they are simply the most accessible. However, these infected systems act as pivot points to greater prizes ...