Bumsonfire

You know what, that's exactly what I'll do. Shouldn't even really have needed to ask such a question :)

Sorry to sound like an old record, but I truly feel humbled. I have never in my life received the encouragement I have received from total strangers here today. The best way I can repay I feel is to make a success of my new to be career and give back just as much.

So many great answers with encouraging practical advice, it's heartening. Maybe I'll be as much help to someone someday.

I've been taking some firmware files apart, specifically bios files, just to try and understand better how computers work. I've also been messing about with shellcode, I find that fascinating.

Thank you for taking the time to provide such a thoughtful answer. I was thinking of starting on messing with hardware, you've given me thoughts of a starting point.

Never even thought of that, hence my reason for asking here. Thank you for replying.

Interesting ideas, definitely worth considering, thank you.