Ivan Salloum here. Born in Germany, raised in Syria.
As a kid, I was all about IT - playing with Android apps, falling for online money-making schemes (they were mostly scams!), and even trying my hand at hacking Facebook accounts (just for fun, though!).
I remember the excitement of my dad getting me my first Samsung phone, though I can't recall the model. I'd stand by the window, phone in hand, eagerly waiting for a signal to download games to play with friends.
At that time, I didn't know much beyond using smartphones. I didn't know much about IT. It wasn't until I moved to Germany that I got into it.
I started a Facebook page called Tech Pulse, where I assisted people with various tech issues, especially those hindered by internet restrictions in Syria. I lost access to the page, and I hope Facebook will someday help me regain access to it.
Now I’m a passionate Linux enthusiast with a certified LPIC-1 Linux admin background.
My uncle, a die-hard Linux fan, convinced me to give it a shot. He's the kind of guy who ditched Windows ages ago and is big on privacy and security, even gave up WhatsApp for a bit (not sure why, though!).
Watching him mess around with commands on his computer was both amazing and hilarious.
I didn't know how to start or where to begin, so I decided to take the Linux Essentials and LPIC-1 exams. I read the official learning material provided by the Linux Professional Institute, which helped me learn Linux very effectively. It covered everything about Linux, from its history to almost every little detail.
I also enjoy programming as a hobby and love creating shell scripts using various languages.
Additionally, I have expertise in WordPress.
Although I've been using WordPress since 2018, I haven't delved into WordPress development. Instead, I focus on hosting, optimizing, and securing WordPress websites. I also have extensive experience and knowledge in building sites with WordPress.
My dream? To start a WordPress hosting company that's better than the rest.
Starting in April 2025, I will be studying Cybersecurity at BHT in Berlin, Germany.