Topic: Hardware Hack

3 chapters across the catalog

Free Scooter!
Episode 1044 1:28:15 - 1:30:27

1044: Free Scooter!

Technical Guide to Disabling Bird Scooters

A technical guide explains how to disable the GPS and alarm systems on Bird rental scooters by drilling into the main control box. By installing a $50 bypass board available on eBay, an individual can effectively convert a rental unit into a private electric scooter. The hosts provide this information as a theoretical "post-collapse" survival skill rather than an endorsement of theft.

Privilege Walk
Episode 1034 34:26 - 37:01

1034: Privilege Walk

Microphone Array Technology and Smart TV Privacy

The high cost and advanced engineering of microphone arrays in devices like Alexa are discussed as a target for hardware hackers. Additional concerns are raised about the potential for smart TVs to monitor household activity through similar sensor technology.

Coin of the Realm
Episode 910 51:01 - 54:55

910: Coin of the Realm

Zero-Day Exploits, Keyloggers and Hardware Security

The hosts define zero-day exploits as unpatched software flaws used by intelligence agencies to bypass encryption and install keyloggers. They discuss a historical case of a New Zealand company producing keyboards with built-in logging hardware. This technical context is used to explain why the FBI sought Apple's help in the San Bernardino case despite having access to various hacking tools.