Defcon 19: [So tell me about the Rio] (recon and intel)

[TheCotMan]

Re: Defcon 19: [So tell me about the Rio] (recon and intel)

Thanks for the info TCM and arahel.

Sorry if this wasn't clear, I wasn't looking for why posting illegal stuff is illegal, just wondering what is and isn't legal.

Laws vary from state to state, country to country, but in the U.S., a common "test" with wireless work is:
* Is there expectation for privacy?
* Is the a "conversation" between two parties, where you were not invited to be a part of it?
* Are you using a resource you were not authorized to use?

Privately receiving and logging Access Points "names" MAC addresses and what encryption access points support is likely not going to be considered illegal in many places, but publishing this information with where you found it could lead to legal problems in the civil courts with respect to privacy. The World Wide Wardriving contests/events did this for many years, but google has encountered trouble when trying to make such information publicly available, especially in countries outside the US, like France or Germany:
* http://www.computerworlduk.com/news/...ng-wi-fi-data/
* http://www.macvideo.tv/editing/news/...pe=allchandate

Unless you are the government, in many/?most? places it is illegal for you to "eavesdrop"+record on conversations that you are not a part of. There are exceptions to this. For example, it is legal to "listen" to CB conversations that you are not a member of, because there is no expectation of privacy, and maybe because of the band/frequencies used. (Check with a licensed HAM or someone more familiar with the FCC for how licensed, vs. unlicensed or open/public frequencies can be legally observed. For example, it may be legal to listen to 900 MHz broadcasts (not conversations) but illegal to listen to microwave frequencies licensed (non-public) to service providers.)

Intercepting and recording conversations that you were not invited to participate in would likely be illegal.

Using/Stealing Internet access from a person running a wireless access point would almost certainly be considered a crime, like, "theft of service," even if it is difficult to document and enforce. It might even be possible to prosecute someone under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, as it may be possible to effectively argue that an access point is a "computer" -- though I don't know how effective that would be. Google might help you there.

Sorry to be vague, but the laws that cover what is legal or illegal in the realm of recording wireless will be different from state to state and country to country.

[Bbox]

Re: Defcon 19: [So tell me about the Rio] (recon and intel)

I was in Vegas last week for a traditional boring convention so I decided to check out the convention area at the Rio. The First thing you see is a huge video screen displaying the events in the convention area.
(I hope someone protects it from the TV B gones)



The next image is a photo I took looking down one of the hallways. You can see how wide and grandiose it is. The wide hallways should eliminate the congestion problems we experienced at the Riv.



The Rio also seems much larger and much busier in general then the Riv. The gambling areas were jammed packed and even the stores inside were bustling with activity. It looks like we might be interacting with a larger group of people not involved with Defcon.

At the Riv for the most part everyone there was involved with us and understood the importance of securing their laptops and phones. This year the Wall of Sheep may get some very unsuspecting and unaware sheep just by accident.

This new venue looks great, but it will surely offer some very interesting interaction between Con goers and the general public.

The day I was visiting they had multiple events taking place, does anyone know if Defcon will be the only ones using the convention area at the Rio the dates we are there?

[minga]

Re: Defcon 19: [So tell me about the Rio] (recon and intel)

[QUOTE=Bbox;119310]I was in Vegas last week for a traditional boring convention so I decided to check out the convention area at the Rio. The First thing you see is a huge video screen displaying the events in the convention area.



Thanks for posting these pictures ... good to see.

[DaKahuna]

Re: Defcon 19: [So tell me about the Rio] (recon and intel)

Does anyone have any information on receiving or sending packages to guest at the Rio? I have a couple of boxes of items that I would like to FedEx or UPS to the hotel for pickup on Thursday. I saw that they have a setup similar to that at the Riviera, but it looked larger, but can't find any information about it on-line.

Appreciate any information someone may have already gathered.

[FourHundredKilo]

Re: Defcon 19: [So tell me about the Rio] (recon and intel)

I am hoping they have a reliable shuttle to and from the airport... That is something I really think would benefit a lot of us.

OK, I took the bus from the airport to the Riv. Check out the route to the Rio.

[kronicd]

Re: Defcon 19: [So tell me about the Rio] (recon and intel)

Does anyone have any information on receiving or sending packages to guest at the Rio? I have a couple of boxes of items that I would like to FedEx or UPS to the hotel for pickup on Thursday. I saw that they have a setup similar to that at the Riviera, but it looked larger, but can't find any information about it on-line.

Appreciate any information someone may have already gathered.

The info you want is located here

They do accept packages but charge a fee based on weight.

I do have a question for anyone else though, does anyone know what sort of TVs the rooms have? Do they have VGA input? or are we dealing with the old CRTs that most of Vegas seems to have.

[snideology]

Re: Defcon 19: [So tell me about the Rio] (recon and intel)

does anyone know what sort of TVs the rooms have? Do they have VGA input? or are we dealing with the old CRTs that most of Vegas seems to have.

I rooted around through the hotel reviews, and they all indicate that the televisions are 'outdated,' so they are almost certainly CRTs. But most newer CRTs have a VGA input, so you should be ok-ish.

[snideology]

Re: Defcon 19: [So tell me about the Rio] (recon and intel)

So I had thought someone posted somewhere that DC will have their own swimming pool, open 24 hours this year. I am I imagining it? I can't find the post anywhere. Did this happen in my dreams, or am I just inept at searching the forums?

[HighWiz]

Re: Defcon 19: [So tell me about the Rio] (recon and intel)

or am I just inept at searching

Yes.........

[daveanderson]

Re: Defcon 19: [So tell me about the Rio] (recon and intel)

I've seen a lot of intel on the main conference venue, but does anyone have any info on the hotel itself (particularly relating to the "deluxe studio suites"--the defcon rate rooms)?

Is there only wifi, or is there wired?

Is the refrigerator at least a mini fridge, not just a small area in the minibar that they claim is a fridge?

Even if the TVs are CRTs, what inputs do they have?

Best way to get discount Penn and Teller tickets (I don't think any of the discounts I saw for Rio guests extends to the defcon room rate)?


Any other hotel/venue information would be appreciated…

Thanks.

[sintax_error]

Re: Defcon 19: [So tell me about the Rio] (recon and intel)

...

Is the refrigerator at least a mini fridge, not just a small area in the minibar that they claim is a fridge?

Even if the TVs are CRTs, what inputs do they have?...

^That. any and all info from those already checked in or checking in over the weekend would be much appreciated. Desk clerks are a little less than helpful on specifics this time around.

[daveanderson]

Re: Defcon 19: [So tell me about the Rio] (recon and intel)

Have you already tried calling? I was saving that for tomorrow for anything left that I couldn't find out here on the forums.

I'll post any answers I find here, if they are via other means.

[stonegateguy]

Re: Defcon 19: [So tell me about the Rio] (recon and intel)

I've seen a lot of intel on the main conference venue, but does anyone have any info on the hotel itself (particularly relating to the "deluxe studio suites"--the defcon rate rooms)?

Is there only wifi, or is there wired?...

I called last week and the agent told me they have both wired and wireless in the rooms. They charge $13.95 a day for the internet.

[daveanderson]

Re: Defcon 19: [So tell me about the Rio] (recon and intel)

Things I just learned from my phone call (so all of this is according to the front desk/ guest services person who was at 702-777-7777 (rio direct operator number)):

-Net: Wireless only (I think the confusion regarding wired is that they _still_ seem to have data ports on the phones for modems, but we'll see when we get there). 13.95/day.

-Fridge: Supposedly the refrigerator is an _actual_ minifridge, and the minibar is separate.

-TV: I asked if you could connect "dvd players, etc" to the TVs, she said no. Again, Im sure our mileage may vary, but after staying at the circus circus for the last 4 years, where you couldn't do anything to make the TV love you, I can believe this as well. (I forgot to ask if it was LCD or CRT)

-Late checkout: late checkout is Noon. That's not very late.

-Gym (my gf wanted to know) : the gym is part of the spa, and is 22/day (ridiculous, no?) 7a-6p.

-Penn and Teller discount for general room rate? no.

If anyone else wants to try calling again in several hours (to get a different front desk person) and ask the same questions and see if we get different answers (since nobody at hotels seems to know what is in the rooms for some reason), that might be good. Again, this was just what this particular guest services person knew.

Our milage may vary, but I'm still hoping for the best. If it's true, then news of an actual refrigerator is still good. Everything else is pretty average for vegas, so far.


Not related to the rest of this stuff, but Lockheed's post on defconnetworking about the Rio rooms being able to get 5 channels of DCTV is great.

Heres to a great DC19.

[daveanderson]

Re: Defcon 19: [So tell me about the Rio] (recon and intel)

Got confirmation from someone who's already at the Rio about the Fridge, he says it's "dorm size".

Apparently the TVs also have composite (red-white-yellow) av out and I'm assuming input as well, but awaiting confirmation of that...