Kenzo Kylo

Kenzo is a tech industry professional with extensive experience ranging from tech support to programming and system administration. He finds joy in teaching newcomers everything about Linux.

macOS

Installing spotDL on macOS.

Install spotDL on macOS using pipx, fix YouTube Music lookup errors, and understand why Spotify downloads sometimes fail. Learn setup, troubleshooting, and reliable workflows for converting Spotify links into local audio files.

macOS

Using the caffeinate Command to Prevent macOS Sleep.

caffeinate is a macOS command-line utility that prevents the system from sleeping by creating activity assertions. It keeps the Mac awake during tasks, automation, or remote operations, ensuring processes continue uninterrupted even when the system would normally idle into sleep.

how to 🪄

rsync Guide — Beginner vs Advanced Usage.

rsync doesn’t just copy files — it synchronizes state. It transfers only what changed, resumes interrupted jobs safely, and avoids duplicates by design. Rerun the same command and it continues exactly where it stopped, converging both sides efficiently.

security 🦾🦿

Jump Servers (Bastion Host)

A jump server, or bastion host, is a hardened gateway for accessing internal systems. Rather than connecting directly, you first log into this secure host and then “jump” to other machines. This setup enhances security, centralizes access control, and allows detailed session logging.

how to 🪄

Advanced Linux Mount Management with systemd.

Learn how to structure Linux storage with systemd mount units and bind mounts. Understand physical vs logical mounts, improve backup automation, and build a clean storage layout using /mnt/ssd_1T and /mnt/backups.

shell 🛠️

Controlled Countdown with Bash `for` Loop.

A simple Bash loop can turn a disruptive command into a controlled sequence. Using a for loop, you can implement a visible countdown that informs users and adds operational clarity before executing actions such as a system restart.

how to 🪄

Install & Use Glances on Ubuntu Server via GitHub (pipx) with FastAPI Web UI & systemd Service.

Familiar with top and htop? If you want a more powerful, flexible, and user-friendly system monitor, Glances is a strong upgrade—offering deeper insights with minimal overhead. 🚀

how to 🪄

`sudo touch /forcefsck` (Ubuntu Server)

Need to force a filesystem check on your Linux server at boot? Use `sudo touch /forcefsck` to trigger fsck on the root partition—even if it seems clean. Perfect for Ubuntu Server with ext filesystems after crashes or power loss.

how to 🪄

Ansible for the Modern Sysadmin: Installation, Configuration,Vaults and Automation.

Ansible is a powerful automation and orchestration tool that lets you manage servers consistently and securely over SSH. This guide explains what Ansible is, why it matters, and how to structure a clean, real-world Ansible project.

ethical hacking 🤖

Reverse Shell with Netcat.

Learn how ethical hackers use Netcat to create reverse shells for testing security vulnerabilities. Understand how these attacks work, the risks they pose, and the defensive measures needed to mitigate them. Stay ahead in cybersecurity by mastering ethical hacking techniques.

shell 🛠️

Oh My Zsh: The Ultimate Shell Upgrade for Power Users.

Oh My Zsh adds power and polish to your terminal. With auto-suggestions, plugins, and themes, it simplifies workflows, speeds up commands, and helps developers and sysadmins work smarter, not harder.

script 🏷️🦿

set -euo pipefail

set -euo pipefail in Bash ensures scripts fail fast on errors (-e), treat unset variables as errors (-u), and propagate failures through pipelines (pipefail). It’s a best practice for writing safe, predictable, and robust Bash scripts.

tips

Always Mount Drives Reliably with UUIDs or Labels.

Avoid relying on /dev/sdX. Use UUID or LABEL in /etc/fstab for stable mounts. Label drives, test mounts, and your drives will remain consistently accessible, preventing broken scripts and automount issues.

how to 🪄

Docker 101: What the Fuzz Is It, and Why You Should Care!?

So you’ve heard about Docker—maybe your friend's talking about "containers," or you saw a tutorial with commands like docker run hello-world. But what the heck is it, and why is everyone so obsessed with it? Let’s break it down in plain language.

security 🦾🦿

Kernel-Level USB Security with USBGuard.

USBGuard enforces USB device policies at the kernel level, blocking unknown devices by default. Experts can craft granular rules by vendor, serial, or device class, combine with audit/logging, and automate trusted device authorizations for secure, persistent access.

tips

Installing Command Line Tools on a Headless Mac.

Updating Xcode Command Line Tools on a headless Mac can be tricky — no GUI, no prompts, and no App Store. This guide walks you through mounting the DMG on a GUI Mac, extracting the .pkg, and installing it remotely via CLI.

linux 🐧

Beyond Permissions: 'o+rx' vs 'o+rX' in chmod.

'chmod' is key for managing access rights, but what's the difference between 'o+rx' and 'o+rX'¿ While both adjust permissions, they handle files and directories differently. Understanding this distinction is crucial for secure system management. Discover which command fits your needs.

Disable Root Login on Linux (Ubuntu/Debian) — Right now!

Disabling root login enhances Linux security by restricting direct access to the superuser account. It enforces use of sudo, providing safer, auditable privilege escalation. Learn what root login is, its purpose, risks, and how to disable it properly.

linux 🐧

APT & Repositories on Debian/Ubuntu Server.

Understand how apt manages packages on Ubuntu Server. Learn about repo files, trusted sources, install scripts, and how .deb packages work in server environments.

how to 🪄

What the Heck Is /var/lock and Why Should You Care?

In Linux, /var/lock stores lock files that prevent multiple processes from accessing the same resource simultaneously. Think of it as the system’s "Do Not Disturb" sign for shared resources—critical for maintaining stability in a multi-user, multi-process environment.

how to 🪄

Never Re-Type a Command Again — Use (sudo !!)

Tired of retyping commands when you forget sudo? Use sudo !! to instantly rerun the last command with elevated privileges. It’s a simple bash trick that saves time, avoids frustration, and keeps your terminal workflow smooth. A must-know for every Linux user.

linux 🐧

Using 'find' to Locate Large Files in Linux.

In Linux, the 'find' command helps locate large files that may be consuming disk space. It's useful for admins or users needing to identify files of a specific size or larger, especially when cleaning up a system or managing disk usage.

security 🦾🦿

DNS Leaks & IPv6: The Silent Privacy Killer You Didn't See Coming.

DNS leaks silently expose your browsing, even when using Pi-hole or a VPN. IPv6 makes it worse by bypassing your DNS filters. Learn how to fully block IPv6 DNS leaks at the router, system, and firewall level to ensure your privacy stays airtight.

Fixing `/etc/hosts` Being Overwritten on Reboot (Ubuntu with Cloud-Init)

What Happened? Have you ever edited /etc/hosts only to find your changes mysteriously gone after a reboot? We sure did — it actually happened to us here at SNUBmonkey. Turns out, this annoying quirk often affects cloud-based Ubuntu systems (and sometimes local installs) that use Cloud-Init, especially when

how to 🪄

How to Grep for Multiple Strings, Patterns, or Words Like a Pro.

Want to search for more than one word using grep like a Linux ninja? Learn how to grep multiple strings or patterns in one go — whether it’s plain text, regex magic, or case-insensitive matching. Perfect for sysadmins, devs, and curious tinkerers alike!