CypherCon 2025

Optimizing .bashrc for Seamless Pwnage and Rapid Environment Init

Danny Hetzel

Abstract:

In the world of penetration testing, capture the flag (CTF) challenges, and network reconnaissance, efficiency and speed are paramount. The humble .bashrc file, often overlooked, holds the power to streamline operations, automate repetitive tasks, and create a robust toolkit tailored to any engagement. This talk will explore the art of customizing your .bashrc to supercharge your workflow as an ethical hacker. From creating aliases for common tools like Nmap and Wireshark to crafting functions that save time and eliminate human error, we’ll dive into the practical and advanced strategies that can turn your terminal into a powerful command center.

Danny Hetzel

Pwnage!

Danny Hetzel has been breaking things since the days of BackTrack and Windows XP. These days, works at a Medical Device manufacturer with R&D playing with Robots , devotes time to Wisconsin Emergency Management’s CRT, hangs out with the DC608 crew, and stirs things up in First.org’s EPSS and Red Team SIGs. He’s a DEFCON Biohacking Village CTF admin and has lectured at Northwestern and UW, dropped knowledge at ECCC conferences, and published studies on malware and deep learning.