DEF CON Adventures 2012 Explored

DEF CON Logo from defcon.org

Many fun adventures occurred at DEF CON this year, with many interesting new things going on.

Here is the brief summary:

• Man’s cell phone battery catches fire, explodes in his back pocket.
• Private phone network created called “NinjaTel”.
• Possible crack of PPTP encryption found.
• National Security Agency (NSA) director visited.
• Hacker explores the world of warranties.

Man’s cell phone battery catches fire, explodes in his back pocket

Credit: Elinor Mills, CNET – Click Image to News Article

Private phone network created called “NinjaTel”

NinjaTel phone network is part of a new initiative by hackers. They were giving them away at DEF CON to good contributors. Probably used as a play phone for hackers. Apparently, the initiative is based on a large unencrypted GSM network with a large open base transceiver station. With approximately 600 customized Android phones on the market, the phones are filled with silly apps and other apps that can help hackers.

Possible crack of PPTP encryption found

Tools were developed at the conference to crack PPTP encryption. Encryption specialist Moxie Marlinspike showed off his usual handiwork.

According to CNET, the tools crack WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access) and VPN passwords used by corporations and organizations running networks that are protected by the PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol), which uses MS-CHAPv2 for authentication.

As for hacking warranties, read more here.

And that’s a wrap for this year’s DEF CON. Kudos!