My (Discontinuous) Journey with Python
I have been learning python in fits and starts since 2015 when I first picked up a copy of Al Sweigart’s first edition of Automate the Boring Stuff as well as Eric Matthes' Python Crash Course, both published by No Starch Press, purveyers of “the finest in geek entertainment”. I own many books from No Starch Press, and also multiple editions of books too. The founder, Bill Pollock, is an extremely swell guy, and we share a love for bourbon too. I make it a point of saying hello (and taking a picture) with him whenever I see him at hacker conferences like DefCon or H.O.P.E. You should too. And buy more of their books.
My problem was, apart from writing the odd script here and there to automate some menial tasks, or stringing together some enumeration scripts (I actually more comfortable with bashfor these tasks), I have never started or compeleted a python-related project.
Enter… Hacks, Leaks and Revelations
In 2024, Micah lee delivered an awesome keynote speech at our local BSidesVancouver conference. He had recently published his book called Hacks, Leaks and Revelations. He combined his experience as an investigative journalist and software developer to write about the history and current status of leaked datasets, the potentially sensitive information held within those datasets, and how those with coding skills or a desire to learn those skills should help investigators and journalists interrogate the data, with ethical and non-criminal intent. I really enjoyed the talk, and afterwards purchased an autographed copy of his book. I read through the first half of the book, but due to other commitments (ie. training for the 2024 Pros vs Joes CTF in Las Vegas, I did not finish the python/coding portion of the book. However, it has always been on the back of my mind. Although I do not consider myself a hacktivist, I feel it is important to give back to society when you can, whether it is volunteering at your local soup kitchen, training the next generation of health care professionals, or leverage technology to make the world a safer place.
Introducing: 12 Weeks of Leaks
Fast forward to October 2025 when a number of data breaches hit the media, which included some Canadian companies ie. Canadian Tire and WestJet. It reminded me that no one is immune to cyber attacks, even companies in “polite” Canada. Around this time I had also rekindled a desire to improve my python skills. So I came up with the crazy idea to combine the two. I asked ChatGPT to help me create a 12 week curriculum to review both Automate the Boring Stuff as well as Hacks, Leaks and Revelations, ending with a capstone project. I also included catchup weeks too, because life always throws unexpected curve balls.
This is what we came up with:
The schedule begins today! Which is why I am posting this: to keep me honest. Nothing works better than peer pressure, as soon as I publish this article. I don’t know if I’ll finish all the coding chapters, let alone complete a capstone project. But I am pretty sure it’ll force me to brush up on my python skills and I’ll have some fun while doing so. Let’s see how it goes - wish me luck :)
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