TryHackMe Hide and Seek Walkthrough | Linux Persistence, Cron, systemd, SSH Backdoors (FULL GUIDE)

#cybersecurity #pentesting #tryhackme Welcome back! In this video, we dive deep into the TryHackMe Hide and Seek room, a hands-on Linux scavenger hunt focused on persistence mechanisms and post-exploitation techniques. In this step-by-step walkthrough, we hunt down multiple hidden persistence techniques left behind by an attacker, uncovering flag fragments across the system and assembling them into the final flag. 🐧 What You’ll Learn in This Video: How attackers establish Linux persistence Identifying malicious systemd services Hunting suspicious cron jobs Detecting SSH authorized_keys backdoors Abusing .bashrc login scripts Hiding data inside MOTD (Message of the Day) Decoding obfuscated strings using CyberChef Thinking like an attacker to defend like a pro 🔍 Persistence Techniques Covered: /lib/systemd/system/ autostart services Root and system crontab abuse Hidden SSH access via authorized_keys Login persistence through .bashrc MOTD manipulation for stealth execution 🧠 Key Takeaways: Persistence can exist anywhere — services, cron, SSH, login scripts, and system messages. By following clues methodically and decoding hidden data, you’ll sharpen your Linux enumeration, blue-team awareness, and red-team mindset. If you’re preparing for CTFs, SOC roles, penetration testing, or OSCP-style thinking, this room is a must-watch. 👍 Like, subscribe, and share if this helped you — more TryHackMe walkthroughs coming!