As the saying goes, “the best defense is a good offense.” But what happens when that offense takes on a life of its own? For us, it meant embracing our mischievous side and creating a response to hacking attempts that’s equal parts clever and entertaining.

Recently, our website has been subject to a series of hacking attempts targeting specific archive files. At first, we took the usual precautions: updating passwords, reviewing logs, and tightening security measures. But then, something sparked an idea…

Expect Us

We decided to create a “tarball” containing a harmless secrets.yml file with an ASCII art of Guy Fawkes mask and the phrase “Expect Us.” It was our way of saying, “Hey, we’re aware you’re trying to get in here. Let’s see what happens when we make it easy for you.”

Payload DoNOT Open

But that wasn’t enough. We wanted to take things a step further. So, we created a file called payload_doNOT_open.gif – and that’s when the real fun began.

For those who don’t know, Rickrolling is a meme where an unsuspecting person is tricked into watching the music video for Rick Astley’s 1987 hit single “Never Gonna Give You Up.” We decided to take this concept and apply it to our hacking situation. Our payload_doNOT_open.gif file was actually a Rickroll gif, designed to waste the hackers’ time and resources.

A Message from the Hackers (Sort Of)

We’ve received reports that some of these would-be attackers have indeed stumbled upon our tarball and Rickrolled themselves. While we can’t confirm whether they’re now stuck in a perpetual loop of “Never Gonna Give You Up,” we like to think that at least a few of them have had a good laugh.

A Word of Caution (and Encouragement)

While this response was intended to be playful, it’s essential to remember that security is no laughing matter. Always keep your software up-to-date, use strong passwords, and monitor your logs closely.

That being said, if you do find yourself on the receiving end of a hacking attempt, don’t be afraid to get creative. Sometimes, the best way to handle a situation is with humor and wit. Who knows? You might just turn that negative experience into something positive and entertaining for all involved.

Conclusion

In the world of cybersecurity, it’s easy to get caught up in the seriousness of it all. But we believe that sometimes, taking a step back and having a bit of fun can be just what’s needed to keep things in perspective.

So, if you’re ever faced with a hacking attempt that leaves you feeling frustrated or annoyed, remember: you always have the power to turn that frown upside down – with a little creativity and a lot of humor.

Thanks for reading!