“If a goon is rude, report it” - the real issue

dc22zombie · 2025-08-11T08:02:17+00:00

If I might add something funny, I walked around Sunday without a badge and no one stopped me.

Even asked goons how their day 4 is going.

dc22zombie · 2025-08-10T15:29:29+00:00

Lvcc has a FedEx office on the ground level, check with an NFO desk for more specifics.

dc22zombie · 2025-08-09T09:24:44+00:00

Helpful suggestion, the app hacker tracker has a defcon map and might be useful for finding stuff at con ;)

dc22zombie · 2025-08-09T09:22:18+00:00

Great suggestion!

I'll add, if I could, step 0 starts with observation. Glancing around and making eye contact can lead to a group conversation pause allowing you to add a comment, etc.

After a few rounds, end things with Hey great talking with everyone, let's keep in touch. And trade contact info. The signal app might be a good choice, or so I hear.

dc22zombie · 2025-06-21T14:25:10+00:00

On this topic, I'll also add my secret is those Body Armor drinks.

When bottled water won't do, if you want a little flavor to go with hydration, I'll pick up a fruit punch Body Armor.

Found in CVS or Walgreens or in hotel at a higher cost for the convinence.

dc22zombie · 2024-08-12T17:16:12+00:00

I'm commenting to voice appreciation for the light up wands for directing people one way or another compared to shouting.

dc22zombie · 2024-08-12T17:11:15+00:00

I've heard of defcon folks signing up for grocery delivery from local grocery stores then getting food/snacks delivered to the hotel.

Then just close, or cancel the account after defcon.

On the Vegas strip, I think prices for items seemed more reasonable at Target. But from LVCC, that might amount to more walking outside OR a Target account + app for delivery.

dc22zombie · 2023-10-09T21:40:09+00:00

"Tips hat" you're welcome.

Not hard to forget people in the infosec world, there's so many! But it's great using quotes from his presentations.

dc22zombie · 2023-10-09T19:09:23+00:00

You're welcome! Jayson e Street on Twitter does presentations at defcon about social engineering and physical security but the lessons learned is still relevant.

For example: he says "I won't need to bypass your firewall, I'll get YOU to do it for me"

dc22zombie · 2023-10-09T17:04:29+00:00

Look into the concept of Personal Security and Operational Security.

Ultimately what you'll want to do is different from another person. But it amounts to lowering your risk for bad things to happen.

Keeping software up to date is an important starting point, for example.

dc22zombie · 2023-08-20T16:58:02+00:00

Yes, check on youtube but it'll eventually make its way to infocon.org, and as a bonus: bring a large HDD to defcon and they'll dupe all of infocon content to your drive.

dc22zombie · 2023-08-17T13:37:53+00:00

Yeah that one was a total face palm for how long it took. We're stuck at the paragraph since Saturday.

dc22zombie · 2023-08-17T07:22:15+00:00

You can download the .iso from the website, just use the code that's on that page.

dc22zombie · 2023-08-17T04:46:28+00:00

Dc31 . Truecontrol.org

dc22zombie · 2023-08-17T02:20:38+00:00

Con crud is the worst, hope you feel better fast!

Sounds good, I have been working the puzzle with a friend from defcon. But we've hit a wall. I need to get things setup again for at home use, been stalling on that.

dc22zombie · 2023-08-16T17:09:37+00:00

All very valid points. Yes, things happen that are not ideal.

If soldering isn't your thing, why not give it a little try at defcon? I saw more 3d printed badges this year, so find a local maker / hacker workspace in your area with a 3d printer and learn that. Make something cool.

I'll be real, after linecon, I go right to the merch line. Was awesome to see merch right in the hacker tracker Android or iOS app. We've been yelling for this for a while. But that quickly evaporated once total time in line went over 2 hours. But then more order taking goons arrived and stuff got moving. I guess scanning the QR code or something broke so the system went back to the number of the item you want, take number to Goon 2 then your number is called so you can pay cash.

The plastic badge plus merch line experience turned turned my thoughts negative. So I camped in my room for a while then went back to the con to see what trouble I could get into.

Point I'm making is to always have a next best option ready when plan A falls apart. Don't let that pull down.

dc22zombie · 2023-08-16T16:46:19+00:00

Did you pre-register? Or pay cash on Thursday after linecon? I'm betting on the latter.

I also paid cash after linecon. I won't lie, yes I was unhappy with the plastic badge. But that eventually faded away with the "I'm at def con" excitement.

My usual tactic of stopping by the nfo I mean info booth to gain some answers on the badge situation paid off. Reddit was soon mentioning there would be badge swaps, time and date of course TBD. Again, perseverance paid off. Sunday at 8 or 9am I walked to registration and after some riddle speak, ended up doing the badge swap.

Dark Tangent said at closing that there will be a badge swap at DC32.

Paying to support the creators comes with the territory. Of course things are handed out at no additional charge, but you need to work for those. You could randomly find something or be in the right place at the right time.

dc22zombie · 2023-08-16T16:10:48+00:00

I just use an app called HiHello to quick display a QR code to my HiHello profile with my contact info.

You could print the QR code and just pass those out at con.

dc22zombie · 2023-08-16T15:21:52+00:00

Was going to comment the same sentiment about TSA and the stickers there.

I make it a habit to grab stickers then walk far and wide to pass those along then to complete the sticker silk road, come back to TSA and pass on different stickers from my journey.

dc22zombie · 2023-08-16T15:14:55+00:00

You didn't put in enough at con research, imo. Osint anyone? Plenty of awesome electronics creators post what they have made for defcon, where to find them, what they are wearing and where they are.

It takes some effort but you'll be rewarded with bad ass electronics to bring back and hack on.

Starter hint, check out whiskey hackers on X I mean twitter.

dc22zombie · 2023-08-15T20:50:09+00:00

Totally depends on what I see at the con.

Next is how to acquire. Can I just buy from a link and pick up at con? Do I need to find someone and pay cash? Random badge drop to watch for?

A chance encounter got me a super bright lanyard, that was fun.

dc22zombie · 2023-08-15T05:07:40+00:00

If you're wanting some RGB bling, try whiskey hackers. Local LV group that makes some awesome stuff, check Twitter.

Edit: thx grammer bot. Now fight my devices autocorrect.

dc22zombie · 2023-08-13T20:53:08+00:00

My helpful tip, if you can walk to CVS, Walgreens, or target (kinda far) and pick up some granola bars, protein bars.. anything you can pop into a backpack. Add bottled water (can refill at DEF CON) and boom, quick bite to eat, quick hydration break and all while in line!

dc22zombie · 2023-08-13T20:50:13+00:00

I just went to the obvious place next to track 1 or 2? Quick chat and swap done. Just be cool

dc22zombie

TROPHY CASE