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Networking the LAN and cybersecurity

Tech Log Entry — Cybersecurity Hardening Of System for Coding Agent (Claude Code) Bitwarden Password Manager + ClamAV Antivirus Across a 3-Machine Homelab LAN Background and Context This entry documents a cybersecurity hardening session across all three machines in my homelab LAN: one Windows 11 desktop (Robusta) and two Linux Mint laptops (Liberica and Typica). The session was part of a broader initiative to get Claude Code running securely on Typica, and to establish sound security practices across the LAN before moving on to SSH/SFTP/rsync backup configuration. The three machines are connected via a TP-Link TL-SG105 5-port gigabit unmanaged switch on an isolated local subnet (192.168.x.x), separate from the home Wi-Fi network. Internet access on all three machines remains via Wi-Fi only; the switch is used exclusively for local LAN communication and file transfers. Prior security state before this session: Robusta: BitDefender Antivirus Plus + BitDefender VPN Premium (active, paid)...
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Setting Up An Automated Local Backup for the Homelab

Tech Log Entry — Setting Up An Automated Local Backup for the Homelab (or, Setting Up FreeFileSync and Windows Task Scheduler) Category: Backup / File Management / Windows 11 / Homelab Initial Goal Establish an automated, scheduled backup of selected folders from desktop Robusta (Windows 11) to an external hard drive ("Coffee Canister", 14.5 TB, USB 3.0). Backup to run on a nightly schedule without manual intervention. Use only free, open-source software (per general preference for FOSS). No cloud dependency — fully local, air-gapped backup. First phase of a broader backup strategy covering all three homelab machines (2 laptops and 1 desktop in LAN). Hardware Used Desktop Robusta: Lenovo Legion T5, Windows 11 Home, i7 11th gen, 16 GB RAM, RTX 3060 External HDD "Coffee Canister": WD Elements, 14.5 TB capacity, ~1 TB used, connected via USB 3.0, assigned drive letter F: TP-Link TL-SG105 5-port gigabit unmanaged switch (homelab LAN) CAT8 ethernet cable...
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The Post-Quantum Cryptography problem is OUR version of the Y2K problem.

POST-QUANTUM CRYTOGRAPHY The need to switch out our cryptography to post-quantum cryptography is our modern 2020s version of the Y2K problem. They saw that problem coming several decades ahead of time, getting closer and closer, becoming more and more urgent.  So, too, are we seeing the coming cryptographic apocalypse by quantum computing.  But this time...we do not know the specific year. We just know it's coming.
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Tech Log-Browser Image Agent project

Tech Log Entry — Browser Image Agent:  An AI-Powered Image Tagger and Saver Category: AI / Computer Vision / Browser Automation / Local LLM / Python Initial Goal I wanted a tool to automatically save images from open browser tabs to a local folder, with descriptive, search-friendly filenames and tags generated by an AI vision model — replacing manual save-and-rename workflows. All processing to be fully local: no cloud APIs, no subscriptions, no data leaving the machine. The tool should use only free open-source software, run on my Windows 11 desktop, and leverage my RTX 3060 GPU for local AI inference. Two operating modes: fully automatic (save all qualifying images without interruption) and human-in-the-loop review (confirm each image before saving). Hardware Used Desktop: Windows 11 Home, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (12 GB VRAM) No additional hardware required — everything runs locally on the desktop Software Stack Python 3.12 Ollama 0.17.7 (local AI runtime) Vision mode...
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Tech Log-Obsidian Setup (tech studies)

Obsidian Setup ( Tech Studies Log) Date: March 19, 2026 Learned how to install and use Obsidian on my Windows desktop (Linux laptop will be this weekend) and created the local vault on my D: drive.  Basic folder structure setup for my knowledge system: 00 Inbox 01 Notes 02 PDFs 03 Web Clips 99 Templates Most documents at this stage are going to be PDFs from webpages. I configured attachments to go into the 02 PDFs folder. I enabled the Templates core plugin and created a reusable PDF Source Template for notes based on saved PDF files. I tested how to insert the template into a note; also confirmed that template variables and note structure worked as intended. I also added several PDF files into the vault and linked a PDF to a note. I confirmed that clicking the link opens the PDF inside Obsidian. I learned how to: link a PDF file inside a note point to a specific PDF page embed a specific PDF page directly into a note add comments under important...
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Tech Log-Direct Ethernet File Transfer (secured): Windows 11 Desktop to Linux Mint Laptop

Tech Log Entry — Direct Ethernet File Transfer: Windows 11 Desktop to Linux Mint Laptop Category: Networking / File Transfer / Cross-Platform Initial Goal I wanted to replace the use of USB stick drives and email as file transfer methods between my desktop (Windows 11 Home) and laptop (Linux Mint Cinnamon).  Taking too long; too inefficient. Establish a fast, direct, private Ethernet connection not dependent on the home WiFi router (for best practices in privacy and security). Primary direction: desktop → laptop, with occasional reverse transfers.  Most of my work is done on the desktop w/ 2 monitors.  Laptop is mostly for out-of-home work, and Linux studying, etc. Hardware Used TP-Link UE306 USB 3.0 to RJ45 gigabit Ethernet adapter (laptop has no built-in Ethernet port) Cat8 Ethernet cable (4ft) for direct desktop-to-laptop connection (no docking station) Desktop's built-in Ethernet port LLM Used Claude 4.6 (non-extended thinking) IP Addresses Assigned (Dire...
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Tech Log-Cybersecurity and privacy--removing Windows Media Player Legacy from network, deleting its library

Tech Log Entry — Regarding Windows Media Player Legacy (WMPL) - The Task of Enhancing Privacy & Conducting Cleanup   Category: Cybersecurity / Privacy / Windows 11 Initial Issue Desktop was visible as a Media Device on the home network WMPL had automatically indexed personal photos, videos, and other media files without user knowledge or intentional setup Files were potentially discoverable by other devices on the shared home WiFi, including DirecTV equipment Discovery Found desktop system listed under Network → Media Devices in File Explorer Clicking the DirecTV2PC Media Server entry launched WMPL and revealed personal files in its library Confirmed WMPL had auto-populated its library from watched folders without user action Investigation Steps Checked WMPL Stream menu — media streaming was already off in WMPL itself Identified the real issue: OS-level network sharing services were broadcasting the device Located WMPL's database files at: C:\Users\[username]\AppData...
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