~/off-hours

Hobbies

Security never really switches off, but when I step away from the screen these are the things that keep me sharp, grounded and sane.

  • CTF Competitions

    Competing in Capture the Flag events is my favourite sport. Solving cryptography, pwn, web, and reversing challenges under pressure keeps my offensive skills razor-sharp — and it's genuinely fun.

  • Powerlifting

    I was on the Powerlifting Team at NIT Calicut and the habit stuck. There's a satisfying symmetry between lifting and debugging — both demand patience, discipline, and knowing exactly where to apply force.

  • Kernel Tinkering

    Modifying OS kernels for fun — not just for research. From patching xv6 with custom syscalls to experimenting with eBPF programs, I enjoy going as low-level as possible.

  • Reading Research Papers

    I read academic security papers for fun — from Madry et al. on adversarial training to classic systems security literature. Staying current with research is what separates a practitioner from a technician.