DEFCON34

Badge Hacking

This year’s badge was created by bunnie, a hardware hacker. It featured an array of LED lights that flashed in a unique pattern which changed when you exchanged QR codes with other badges. It encouraged human interaction.

• Baochip badge with LED light pattern/color traits shareable via QR code exchange
• I added a custom image to my badge’s display
• My badge stopped working on AA battery power, but was fine on USB power
  • I couldn’t find anyone at the con who knew how to fix it
• Someone created badge.sex to share QR codes remotely

Fox Hunt

Fourants and I spent a chunk of time on Sat fox hunting to no avail. However, we learned a lot about radios!

• Fox hunting is hard
• We borrowed a Wouxun KG-UVD1P with a rubber ducky antenna from the Ham Radio Village
• Spent several hours wandering the con listening to Morse Code with a Rick Roll overlay
• Several times we were convinced that it was super close, but no luck finding any foxes

Bruce Schneier - Hacking AI Talk

I’ve followed Schneier since taking an interest in cryptography back in high school. I still have Applied Cryptology on my shelf, so it was cool to see him talk in person.

• AI might unlock an era of instant software. What does this mean for security?
• AI alignment: how do we ensure AI builds what we want, not just what solves the request?
  • Risk of shortcuts or unintended side effects

Meshtastic

• Meshtastic.org
• Decentralized radio mesh network
• Uses inexpensive LoRa radios
  • Long range
  • Minimal power requirements
• Nodes communicate over a gRPC-based protocol with basic chat functionality
  • Supports private DMs and group chat via channels using shared keys
• Purchased WisMesh Pocket V2 (RAK4631 core)

Misc

• Each talk was broadcast to a set of color coded headphones
  • This allowed multiple talks to take place in close proximity without interference
  • Controversial, not everyone liked them
• 115°F in Vegas 🥵
• Avoid blackjack tables with dealer push on 22 rules (a.k.a. Free Bet Blackjack) - house has better odds than traditional blackjack