Essential Electronic Accessories for DEF CON: What Do You Recommend?

[Alicecarry]

Hey DEF CON community,

As I prepare for the upcoming DEF CON event, I'm compiling a checklist of must-have gear to ensure a smooth and productive experience. Beyond the basics like laptops and smartphones, I'm particularly interested in the electronic accessories that seasoned attendees consider indispensable.

From previous discussions, I've gathered that items such as multi-port USB chargers, portable power banks, and retractable cables are highly recommended . Additionally, tools like USB data blockers and Faraday bags have been suggested to enhance device security .

I'm curious to know:

• What electronic accessories have you found most useful at DEF CON?
• Are there any new gadgets or tools you've discovered that enhance your experience?
• Any tips on organizing and carrying these accessories efficiently?

Your insights will be invaluable in helping me and others prepare effectively. Looking forward to your recommendations!

[number6]

Hey DEF CON community,

As I prepare for the upcoming DEF CON event, I'm compiling a checklist of must-have gear to ensure a smooth and productive experience. Beyond the basics like laptops and smartphones, I'm particularly interested in the electronic accessories that seasoned attendees consider indispensable.

From previous discussions, I've gathered that items such as multi-port USB chargers, portable power banks, and retractable cables are highly recommended . Additionally, tools like USB data blockers and Faraday bags have been suggested to enhance device security .

I'm curious to know:

• What electronic accessories have you found most useful at DEF CON?
• Are there any new gadgets or tools you've discovered that enhance your experience?
• Any tips on organizing and carrying these accessories efficiently?

Your insights will be invaluable in helping me and others prepare effectively. Looking forward to your recommendations!

Only bring the tech you will need for your plans.
There is value in having a modern smartphone, as it immediately helps with live updates to things at DEF CON such as through "Hacker Tracker" app which many people use, but requires trusting code made my someone else, or using https://info.defcon.org/ for updates, which requires you trusting JavaScript to run in your browser which was made by someone else, or the least trust use a flat-file like CSV format of a schedule which you can make your own program to parse data and render a schedule (from last year: https://defcon.outel.org/dcwp/dc32/ and expected this year: https://defcon.outel.org/dcwp/dc33/)

Tools like hacker tracker have historically supported users being able to build a schedule in the app and get notices when things change.

Next, a mobile device can allow you to reach out to other people you may know at DEF CON, as you can't hope to just randomly run into them like the old days.

So, a mobile device is probably the first piece of tech to bring with you, but be sure to not spend all your time focused on the screen of your mobile device instead of actually experiencing things at DEF CON.

Beyond that, other tech to bring really depends on your goals. Do you plan to spend time at a Wireless Village in various games/contest they have had in the past like "Fox and Hound" ? If so, you probably need radio gear. Do you plan to compete in the many CTF contests which require a computer? You probably need to bring a laptop. If what you plan to do does not require a laptop, maybe don't bring it. Do you plan to compete in a lock picking contest? If so, maybe lock picking tools are tech you should bring with you.

Outside of specific purpose, there is the realm of devices where you have some skills and want to show-off, or meet up with others that have that dame tool/tech to share ideas? One example might be something like the Flipper Zero. There are others.

A popular bit of tech that many people enjoy are custom electronic badges that people make to show off their hobbies in EE. Look for those badges before con, as people that make those often sell them all before DEF CON.

Some people bring various toys with them to use to start conversations at DEF CON, which can help spark new conversations. Maybe a rubberDucky (USB) or what look like US coins, but are hollow to carry microSD?

Supporting tech depends on what tech you bring that needs support. For example, if you have a smartphone, maybe a battery/brick for USB charging your smartphone, so you don't have to find an outlet to recharge. Charge the battery when you are back in your hotel room, then carry it with you to charge you phone during the day.

If you have many USB devices, a USB charging hub could be good. One that supports QuickCharge if your devices support QuickCharge would be good. If you devices support "PD" at crazy high wattage, then get a USB charging hub that supports fastest charging for your batteries/devices.

As for transport at DEF CON, a backpack works well. A strange "fashion" choice but effective is a bandolier sling sash with pouches and zippers or velcro and pockets. These are kind of like a "sash" but have pockets and zippers. They can arguably count as "clothing" so many airlines won't count it as a bag like a backpack, and you can keep your expensive tech in the front pockets, and less expensive batteries in the back pockets.

Just make sure the tech doesn't steal time away from being present at DEF CON. Travel and hotel expenses are spendy, so get the most of what you are paying for by having experiences at DEF CON beyond playing with tech you brought with you.

Please do not link to items-for-sale solution you find, as that looks like spam, and spamming isn't allowed here, and spammy links to sites with sales of products could get this thread moved to a non-public space on the forums.

HTH

[dmr]

Electronic badges, (old) Defcon or not, are always good conversation starters.

If you happen to have an old puzzle badge in the SOLVED state, show it off!

Flipper Zero is fun to play with in a small group. F*ck with the TVs in the bars! (At yer own risk, of course.)