4 ms·
> Security tools like Flipper Zero are essentially programmable radios, known as Software Defined Radios (SDRs) The Flipper Zero is not a SDR, it is less capab
by GuB-42 3y ago
> Security tools like Flipper Zero are essentially programmable radios, known as Software Defined Radios (SDRs)
The Flipper Zero is not a SDR, it is less capable than that.
That's the ironic part, the Flipper Zero is a rather weak hacking tool.
It can open car doors, but it is so impractical that it is not much more than a party trick. You have to record the code by pressing the button on the keyfob out of range of the car and in range of the Flipper. You can then open the door to the car, once, and only if the owner didn't open it first. There is a more advanced and maybe practical attack called rolljam, but I don't think the Flipper is capable enough to do that.
The only thing is that the Flipper Zero is fun, cheap(ish), and popular, but real thieves already have better tools for their job.
- dylan604 3y ago> but real thieves already have better tools for their job. there you go, letting logic get in the way of a politician looking to score points
- happytiger 3y agoThe idea of banning the flipper is like banning legos because you can build lockpicks out of them — it’s just nonsensical politician logic.
- dymk 3y agoWhat kind of lockpick can you build out of legos?
- sgerenser 3y agoThat’s the joke
- happytiger 3y agoA very, very bad one that might only work with Lego locks. Let me double down… https://ideas.lego.com/projects/40434532-eaa1-4926-8621-362969385481 https://ideas.lego.com/projects/40434532-eaa1-4926-8621-3629...
- 0xEF 3y agoI suspect, in part, that this article and people pushing for a ban wouldn't have even noticed the Flipper Zero if it didn't look like a toy. The case design looks like some advanced Tamagotchi and places in a more accessible part of the lowest-common-denominator mind. If it looked like a raw PCB and wires, or some rats nest jumble of little components, it wouldn't catch their attention as much. There is a lot to be said about how we package our hack tools, and the second you move into "magic box go brrrrr" territory, suddenly it gets real to those outside technical circles.
- b112 3y agoActually, there may be something here. Politicians seem to be blathering on about "prepackaged" hacking tools, and similar terms. They obviously aren't going to ban ICs, or breadboards, so in their minds I think it's all about "Tools that are designed for non-hackers to use, in ways we don't like". Right or wrong re: Flipper's uses, the "just take this and go" is part of it. I do wonder, right now lockpick tools are banned, unless you are a locksmith. I wonder if one day, you'll be charged with "hacking tools", because you have some hobby project in your backpack.
- antirez 3y agoThe Flipper Zero is not certainly the problem here, and it is not a proper SDR tool as said. But I believe it's technically interesting that the Flipper Zero uses the CC1101 inside the Flipper in a more powerful way. The chip can be configured to just report in a given pin the actual OOK/FSK state (logic high/low). The same can be done while transmitting. So the Flipper is not limited to the protocols/formats supported by the CC1101 during normal operations, but can do any protocol as long as it is within the frequency range and uses OOK or FSK modulation (or the FSK variants supported).
- strangattractor 3y agoAt one time is was possible to open car doors with a coat hanger. Nobody suggested banning coat hangers. They fixed the doors.
- noduerme 3y agoThis came in handy for me once when I locked myself out of a u-haul in what used to be a rough neighborhood in New York. I was standing there fishing with a coat hanger trying to figure it out when a gangster looking dude came up and was like "here, let me help you with that," and 3 seconds later had the door open.
- jasonladuke0311 3y agoHaha similar story. I used to deliver pizzas and worked with a pretty rough crowd. Once I locked my car while it was running and had a bunch of deliveries. One of the cooks unlocked it in about five seconds.
- timoxley 3y agoI have a similar story! Locked out of my car. Bikers park next to me. "You locked out? Hang on a moment" Goes into a Subway, comes back with a coat hanger. Less than a minute later the car is unlocked. "Wow you're pretty good at that" "I literally just got out of prison today... for car theft." Laughter all around
- noduerme 3y agoWho knew there were so many Good Samaritan car thieves out there, huh? I guess everyone enjoys a chance to show off their skill set a little!
- technofiend 3y agoI locked myself out of my car so often I ended up wedging a coat hanger under the rear bumper. You're right: car doors used to be trivial to yank open when you knew the trick. These days I'd love to create a little side project that sets the alarm off on my car any time a relay attack is detected. I'm sure Mark Rober or someone will end up doing it.
- kristopolous 3y agoAll this will do is increase sales volume. Given that flipper is 95% just a marketing play, I wouldn't be surprised if they're already on this