Field notes, conference write-ups, and engineering notes. Written by a human. https://mikwat.com/blog/feed.xml 2026-08-11T00:00:00Z Michael Watts https://mikwat.com/ https://mikwat.com/blog/defcon34 2026-08-11T00:00:00Z 2026-08-11T00:00:00Z

Notes from DEFCON 34.

<h3 id="badge-hacking">Badge Hacking</h3> <p>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.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://baochip.com/">Baochip</a> badge with LED light pattern/color traits shareable via QR code exchange</li> <li>I added a custom image to my badge’s display</li> <li>My badge stopped working on AA battery power, but was fine on USB power <ul> <li>I couldn’t find anyone at the con who knew how to fix it</li> </ul> </li> <li>Someone created badge.sex to share QR codes remotely</li> </ul> <h3 id="fox-hunt">Fox Hunt</h3> <p>Fourants and I spent a chunk of time on Sat fox hunting to no avail. However, we learned a lot about radios!</p> <ul> <li>Fox hunting is <em>hard</em></li> <li>We borrowed a Wouxun KG-UVD1P with a rubber ducky antenna from the Ham Radio Village</li> <li>Spent several hours wandering the con listening to Morse Code with a Rick Roll overlay</li> <li>Several times we were convinced that it was super close, but no luck finding any foxes</li> </ul> <h3 id="bruce-schneier---hacking-ai-talk">Bruce Schneier - Hacking AI Talk</h3> <p>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.</p> <ul> <li>AI might unlock an era of instant software. What does this mean for security?</li> <li>AI alignment: how do we ensure AI builds what we <em>want</em>, not just what solves the request? <ul> <li>Risk of shortcuts or unintended side effects</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h3 id="meshtastic">Meshtastic</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://meshtastic.org/">Meshtastic.org</a></li> <li>Decentralized radio mesh network</li> <li>Uses inexpensive LoRa radios <ul> <li>Long range</li> <li>Minimal power requirements</li> </ul> </li> <li>Nodes communicate over a gRPC-based protocol with basic chat functionality <ul> <li>Supports private DMs and group chat via channels using shared keys</li> </ul> </li> <li>Purchased WisMesh Pocket V2 (RAK4631 core)</li> </ul> <h3 id="misc">Misc</h3> <ul> <li>Each talk was broadcast to a set of color coded headphones <ul> <li>This allowed multiple talks to take place in close proximity without interference</li> <li>Controversial, not everyone liked them</li> </ul> </li> <li>115°F in Vegas 🥵</li> <li>Avoid blackjack tables with dealer push on 22 rules (a.k.a. Free Bet Blackjack) - house has better odds than traditional blackjack</li> </ul>