This show has been flagged as Clean by the host.
A while ago I visited a web site that is an archive for old
historical documents. It is a data base from where documents can
be downloaded as pdf-files. As a visitor I can login to the
archive as a guest.
When I find a document of interest after search I can right click
on the pdf icon and download the document.
But I can not. No download when I click on the pdf icon. This is
the first time I visit this archive so I do not know exactly how
it works.
It was time to investigate the root cause.
I use Firefox on a Linux machine. I tested several methods to see
if any would solve the issue. I tried by changing settings for
pop-ups. I changed Firefox security settings. I disabled VPN. I
disabled Firefox extensions for blocking trackers.
I tested also the Chromium browser as well as the Epiphany
browser.
All those methods resulted in no difference; nothing
happened.
I was in contact to a friend on Windows and also staff at the
Archive, both telling me that from Windows it worked, including
with Firefox. So now I knew the archive works and that it works on
Firefox.
So I thought, can this somehow be related to Linux?
I asked in a Linux forum if someone on Linux could test to
download.
One person in the forum tested and solved the problem. I would not
define it as a Linux problem, but a site design that affected
Linux users.
The trouble was something I had not thought of: The User
Agent.
When my browser contact a web site, my browser can tell the site
what kind of browser I use, which operating system I use and more.
This information can be used by the site to optimize the
presentation of the content for me.
For to me unknown reason, maybe a mistake, maybe related to some
old design compatibility issue, this site did not accept the
information my user agent provided.
The solution is to tell the web site I am something else.
In the browser has Developer tools. When opening the developer
tools from meny, typically a developer window with tools and
analytics is opened at the bottom part of the web page. One tool
is network. Within network I can simulate how the site looks on
different devices, with different network connections and also
with different User Agents.
The tools are similar in both Firefox and Chromium. The exact list
of standard options differ and Chromium has more options
preloaded.
In this specific case, when I in Developer tools on Firefox change
User Agent to Chrome Desktop, which relates to Chrome on Windows
as I understand, and then reload the web page I can now download
the pdf file from the archive.
When this web site interpret me to be this other type of user,
they can understand each other without any issue.
I have reported back to the site owner and hopefully this specific
site will not need this work around for the browser User Agent in
the future.Provide feedback on this episode.
--------
--------
HPR4515: Privacy? I don't have anything to hide...
This show has been flagged as Clean by the host.
Hello, this is your host, Archer72 for Hacker Public Radio
In this episode, what do you have to hide?
This topic was brought to my attention when I came across this video
from
The Hated
One
.
This youtube host is extremely privacy focused, and has interesting
opinions on not only US privacy and security topics, but also
internationally.
This particular video was regarding
locking down the
settings on Firefox.
The claim besides increasing security is to lower bandwidth and
memory usage and double rendering speeds.
While a lot of these steps the author took seemed excessive, they
might help you. I use a few of these settings as a takeaway to this
video, as well as an extension that I find very useful.
The author is correct in saying that our browsing habits track a lot
about your personal life, so here are a few steps that I did follow.
First, I selected
Strict Blocking
under
Content Blocking
about:preferences#privacy
Strict blocking Firefox setting
Next, I did not set my history settings to
Use custom settings for History
and
Always use private browsing mode
, this is maybe useful for
some.
Under
Address Bar
I left everything unchecked, besides
Search Engines
Firefox address bar settings
Next, check the box in Ublock origin settings enable Advance User
settings to enable more granular control.
Ublock Origin settings
Ublock Origin granular control
Now, change the default behavior of Ublock origin to
Block media elements
Block remote fonts
Disable JavaScript
By checking the boxes for these items
Transcript: How to configure Firefox settings for maximum privacy and security
Provide feedback on this episode.
--------
--------
HPR4514: YouTube Subscriptions 2025 #9
This show has been flagged as Clean by the host.
I am subscribed to a number of YouTube channels, and I am sharing
them with you.
Links:
https://www.youtube.com/@NASA360
https://www.youtube.com/@NASAedge
https://www.youtube.com/@NASAGoddard
https://www.youtube.com/@NASAJPL
https://www.youtube.com/@ReelNASA
https://www.youtube.com/@NASAXrocks
https://www.youtube.com/@NatureVideoChannel
https://www.youtube.com/@NixiePixel
https://www.youtube.com/@Normul8or
https://www.youtube.com/@norwegiancruiseline
https://www.youtube.com/@NotesinSpanishofficial
https://www.youtube.com/@ObjectivityVideos
https://www.youtube.com/@OLFConference
https://www.youtube.com/@ourfakehistory2211
https://www.palain.com/
Provide feedback on this episode.
--------
--------
HPR4513: Living the Tux Life Episode 2 - Ventoy
This show has been flagged as Clean by the host.
Living the Tux
Life Episode 2 Show notes
Things i mention in the show
Ventoy
Setting
up Hibernation in Linux Mint
Sleep
Modes in Linux
Guake Termainl
Diodon
Provide feedback on this episode.
--------
--------
HPR4512: HomeAssistant - Nmap ("Network Mapper")
This show has been flagged as Clean by the host.
A Deeper Look
Triggers & Conditions:
The blueprint uses both a state change from not_home to home for your PC tracker and a motion sensor activation. A numeric state condition ensures that the automation only runs when ambient lighting (from your illuminance sensor) is below the defined threshold (default 37 lux). This minimizes unnecessary operations when the area is already well lit.
Light Brightness Based on Sun:
Using the built-in sun condition, the automation distinguishes between a day period (starting 30 minutes after sunrise) and a night period (adjusted using offset around sunset). This means your light’s brightness is automatically tailored to the natural light context, setting it to the day brightness (default 81%) or to the night brightness (default 69%).
Handling PC Presence & Motion:
Two branches further refine the control:
If the PC is not_home, the blueprint waits until motion ceases before turning off the light.
If the PC is home and ambient light remains low, the light is ensured to remain on until the PC changes to not_home, at which point the light turns off with a smooth transition and a flash effect.
This
design
is ideal for scenarios where a PC’s presence and environmental conditions are combined to manage indoor illumination dynamically.
Xiaomi Aqara motion sensor RTCGQ11LM
www.zigbee2mqtt.io/devices/RTCGQ11LM.html
TRADFRI bulb E27 white opal 1000lm
Xiaomi Mijia Thermo-/Hygrometer
Bluetooth
LYWSD03MMC flash
http://pvvx.github.io/ATC\_MiThermometer
Blueprint
https://gist.github.com/tido-/e486e7504081a1cfdcd837afba43ebf4
My forum post
https://community.home-assistant.io/t/nmap-to-detect-running-tower-pc/888689
Radiation of radio transmission
Heart rate using the WiFi signal
https://hackaday.com/2025/09/05/heart-rate-monitoring-via-wifi/
www.consumerreports.org/radiation/do-i-need-to-worry-about-radiation-from-wifi-and-bluetooth-devices/
www.elektrosmog.com
www.gigaherz.ch
Provide feedback on this episode.
Hacker Public Radio is an podcast that releases shows every weekday Monday through Friday. Our shows are produced by the community (you) and can be on any topic that are of interest to hackers and hobbyists.
España