Internet of Things
The presentation centers around the development of a RFID tag reader for pet microchips. It will explain how RFID tags work at a hardware and software level as well as the FDX-B protocol. It will also cover how this project revealed a limitation of RFID tags that may prevent lost pets from being reunited with their owners and what we can do about it. Presentation Importance: I've discovered that some pets' RFID tags are registered with the wrong ID. This is due to a quirk of how checksums are implemented for these RFID tags and good ol' human error. I want to highlight the issue so that pet owner will get RFID tags checked and so that designers of similar future technologies can address the issue. Rough outline: 1. project motivation * overambitious home automation * digitally tracking my cats for fun * why none of that worked 2. RFID hardware / software * how RFID tags work * RFID tag reader design * explanation of the FDX-B protocol and its limitations * hardware simulation 3. results * demo of the RFID tag reader. * quick story about how the reader revealed that my cat was registered with the wrong RFID tag ID. * encourage pet owners to get RFID tags double checks * encourage engineers to think carefully about data integrity and the implications of their designs.
Dale Cook is a penetration tester, exploit developer, former software engineer, and electronics hobbyist. He has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and an array of industry-recognized certifications including Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), Offensive Security Certified Expert (OSCE), and Offensive Security Web Expert (OSWE), He ardently champions the ethos of free/libre open source software. Dale's commitment to this cause manifests in reverse-engineering, re-implementing, and open-sourcing proprietary hardware and software, often uncovering vulnerabilities in the process. In his spare time, Dale engages in the stereotypical pastimes of gaming and sci-fi as well as skiing and hiking.
Join us in June (2026) with an exemplary selection of hacker and privacy presentations and villages from prominent tech experts. Get your tickets now!