Category: Security

  • Wordfence and a Secure wp-admin

    Wordfence and a Secure wp-admin

    I use WordFence to protect my site from attacks, many years ago I helped a Redditor secure his site (maybe I’ll blog about it one day). He was using WordFence and it found a nasty local file. I’ve enjoyed it enough to where I spoke about it at a security conference a few years ago.…

  • Using AI to Secure Legacy Software

    Using AI to Secure Legacy Software

    In 2006, I made the decision to stop writing software for Windows (as much as I did at the time), and move to building web applications. The idea was that, unlike desktop applications where I don’t see my users and can’t do updates easily, in a web app I can. I spoke with my brother,…

  • I Messed Up…

    I Messed Up…

    Just yesterday, I posted a blog about spying on chip communications. In there, I included a little tidbit that I “deep fried” here. Now, I thought that it was obvious that I was trying to be sarcastic, but today I get an email from my domain registrar telling me that one of my domains has…

  • Spying on Chip Communications with Arduino

    Spying on Chip Communications with Arduino

    Recently, I had posted about the faceplate of a safe I had found, got to work, and talked about a method of breaching it. I decided to go a bit further and dump the EEPROM, but the contents of it have (so far) meant nothing to me. I decided it was time to see what…

  • Breaching a Digital Safe

    Breaching a Digital Safe

    OH LOOK BOB IS GOING TO SHOW US HOW TO USE A MAGNET TO MOVE A SAFE LATCH OR BANG ON IT WHILE PULLING TO HOP A SOLENOID. Not today my friends, but that sure sounds fun, and already done. Most nights, I try to get in a walk. That is, when it isn’t Surface…

  • Lock your Garage Door

    It is likely that you lock your front door, your back door, and you use a deadbolt like you should. You may have even invested in a decent quality lock as well. There’s a few items to consider when breaching a home with an attached garage: If you have a garage door opener in your…

  • Be Sure to Drink Your Ovaltine

    Be Sure to Drink Your Ovaltine

    This year marks the 40th anniversary of The Christmas Story, one of my favorite Christmas movies ever made. I don’t think I’m spoiling anything here since this runs 24 hours a day on a ton of stations in December, but if I am, go watch it first. One scene is especially interesting to folks interested…

  • More Locks = More Security?

    More Locks = More Security?

    This morning, I went for a walk and came upon this rather formidable cell tower enclosure. Usually these things are behind a chain link fence — this one is behind a block wall and has a stout gate. After the 2022 substation attack, I can appreciate seeing stronger protection to critical infrastructure. In this case,…

  • Kroger: A Case Study in Security Theater

    Kroger: A Case Study in Security Theater

    Security Theater, simply put, is what you see when you go to the airport, or a court house, or perhaps even your local gas station. A well designed and functional security system should be seen, not used. I would, 100 times over, rather somebody who wants to do me harm, see my security cameras and…

  • Alarm System Part 5: How to Hack a Home Security System

    Alarm System Part 5: How to Hack a Home Security System

    This Blog is part of a Series! Check out the rest if you haven’t already: You read that title. Not “What parts did I order and what struggles did I have” No. “How to hack”, which means we’re damned successful at it, But not so fast. Last I reported, the alarm on a board was…

  • Alarm System Part 4: The Keypad

    Alarm System Part 4: The Keypad

    This Blog is part of a Series! Check out the rest if you haven’t already: At this point, I’ve dumped the EEPROM off the panel, and discovered that there can be some data stored in the PIC Microcontroller on the panel as well. The datasheet for that is >300 pages, so I’m not planning on…

  • Alarm System Part 3: Security System – Dumping the EEPROM

    Alarm System Part 3: Security System – Dumping the EEPROM

    If you’re coming here looking for the dump, I can’t share it. I don’t know what the laws are on this and it feels pretty DMCA-ish. Sorry. This Blog is part of a Series! Check out the rest if you haven’t already: So, the EEPROM programmer arrived today. For that, I’m excited. And nothing warms…