The Extended Berkeley Packet Filter (eBPF) has emerged as a powerful and transformative technology, fundamentally changing how we instrument, observe, and secure modern computing systems. This talk will provide a comprehensive introduction to eBPF, starting with a clear explanation of what it is – a virtual machine within the Linux kernel that allows for the safe execution of user-defined programs without modifying kernel source code or loading kernel modules. We will then delve into its core components, including eBPF programs, maps, and helpers, illustrating how these elements interact to enable dynamic and efficient kernel-level functionality. A key focus will be on differentiating eBPF-based instrumentation from traditional methods. We will highlight why eBPF is inherently lighter-weight, offering significantly reduced overhead compared to conventional approaches like agents or code modification. Furthermore, we will explore eBPF's unique capability to instrument virtually any language or application running on a system, regardless of its original programming language or runtime, by leveraging its deep insights into kernel events and system calls. Attendees will gain a solid understanding of eBPF's architecture, its practical advantages for observability and security, and its potential to unlock unprecedented levels of system introspection and control