Car Hacking Village
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- Written by steve-cyberfreek
- Category: DEFCON 23 (2015)
A new section added this year was the Car Hacking Village. There were talks, live demos, hands on hacking and most of all, 2 cars available to test with or on.
I saw people really digging into what looked like a Chrysler/Dodge as well as one car that peaked my interest. the logos were masked over but it clearly looked like a Toyota 4 Runner. The first vehicle had door panels off, people hooking up various devices and quite a few interested people in this technology. This is awesome! As we read recently all the news about remote hacking of vehicles, there it was in the flesh (or metal) to play with. Did I get a chance to play? There were a few lines as well as a lot of people gathered around to listen and also to play. i think it best said that it was something I am interested in, but to me it is a slippery slope that I don;t want to hack my car and break the warranty.
Hacking the bathroom at DEFCON
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- Written by steve-cyberfreek
- Category: DEFCON 23 (2015)
So as things would have it, sometimes while in Las Vegas or even at DEFCON, you have to use the facilities.
I walked into one such facilities at Ballys and while finishing my business at the stand up receptacle, a bunch of loud partying guys (hackers?) walked in. I passed them 
on my way to the wash basin to wash my hands. I noticed that one guy stopped to wash his hands, another went to the stand up receptacle, another into the sit down stall and 2 were just hanging out. (since when do guys act like girls and have to have at least 3 or 4 joining them in the bathroom?) Well here they were making loud obnoxious noises and laughing at the top of their lungs. I dry off my hands and hear behind me a loud BANG followed by more laughter. It seems the stand up guy at the stand up booth fell over and took the wall with him, leaving an arch of fluid down to the floor with him. As they laugh and carry on, and other BANG happens. This time the guy in the sit down stall falls off the toilet onto the floor laughing so hard, but wait! He somehow lodged himself between the wall and toilet unable to move. More laughter follows.
On the way out of the bathroom, I stopped and barked "HEY!" to which all stopped and got real quiet. I then blurted out "Keep Calm and Pee On!" Laughter and hilarity followed and I walked out the door.
Bottom line, I think they were trying to hack the bathroom.
At some point in time, we all have to use the facilities for another reason. As I was sitting there, I noticed the toilet paper. It seems to me that instead of 
annoying someone who likes their paper over the top or from underneath, the manufacturer came up with a dispenser to keep both sides happy.
Now I ask you, while it is an age old argument, does it really matter if you really have to go ? I think the most important aspect is that there WAS paper! That to me is more important than arguing about over or under. But? does this matter to you ?
DEFCON is on at Ballys and Paris in Las Vegas!
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- Written by steve-cyberfreek
- Category: DEFCON 23 (2015)
Arriving a few days before, DEFCON started with a resounding whoosh!
The entrance to the Ball rooms at Paris was the kick off to DEFCON with Registration and lines. The lines were all contained in the Grand Ball Room at Paris so the hallways were not as clogged.
Initially, there was a very congested hallway, but it soon got under control. As the days progressed, it seemed that the GOONS and Hotel Security worked it all out. This can be a good thing. The opening day after obtaining the "badge" and hitting the swag, wasn't all that bad.
However, this would all change the morning of Friday the 7th of August. Somehow control was lost and it took yours truly 45 minutes to walk 15 feet. It was also discovered that there was only 1 entrance and exit from the Ball Room area. Not planned out well if you ask me. But by Saturday the 8th of August, it was again back under control.
Let's only hope that next year is a better initial organization for attendees than just a mish mosh of traffic and bodies. Oh and speaking of bodies, please people take a bath before you get into the lines.
Sushi Con is on!
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- Written by steve-cyberfreek
- Category: DEFCON 23 (2015)
It's not at all. Just some like mind people who enjoy Sushi and the company of those they have come to know of enjoy being with.DEFCON 23 (2015 In las vegas
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- Category: DEFCON 23 (2015)
This year DEFCON will be again held in Las Vegas however, not at the Rio. This year is will be held at Ballys and Paris on the Strip.
Yes, I will again be attending this conference. Staying very close to the center of activities should allow for late nights, early mornings and most likely a fair amount of Shenanigans!
The last option is optional. We always go to these conferences to learn and build more knowledge of new hacks, techniques and other information.
Actually, so far, I am looking forward to some of the new talks and villages. They expect to have a Car Hacking Village! This should be very interesting given some news of late.
Hope to see you there.
