DEF CON

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see Defcon (disambiguation).
A DEFCON 13 "human" badge
A DEFCON 13 "human" badge

DEF CON (also written as DEFCON or Defcon) is the world's largest annual hacker convention, held every year in Las Vegas, Nevada. The first DEFCON took place in June 1993. In 2007, at DEFCON 15, there were over 6,000 people in attendance.

Many of the attendees at DEFCON include computer security professionals, journalists, lawyers, federal government employees, crackers, and hackers with a general interest in computer code and computer architecture. The event consists of several tracks of speakers about computer- and hacking-related subjects, as well as social events and contests in everything from creating the longest Wi-Fi connection and cracking computer systems to who can most effectively cool a beer in the Nevada heat. Other contests include lockpicking, robotic-related contests, art, slogan, coffee wars, and Capture the Flag. Capture the Flag (CTF) is perhaps the best known of these contests. It is a hacking competition where teams of hackers attempt to attack and defend computers and networks. CTF has been emulated at other hacking conferences as well as in academic and military contexts.

Since DEFCON 11, fundraisers have been conducted for the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The first fundraiser was a dunk tank and was an "official" event.

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[edit] Noteworthy incidents

Federal law enforcement agents from FBI, DoD, United States Postal Inspection Service and other agencies regularly attend DefCon, and are not required to wear identification badges.[1]

[edit] 2001

On July 16, 2001, Russian programmer Dmitry Sklyarov was arrested at DEF CON for distributing software to decrypt Adobe's e-book format.

[edit] 2007

In August 2007, Michelle Madigan, a reporter for Dateline NBC, was heckled for her use of covert audio and video recording equipment. The DEF CON participants felt she should be required to register as a reporter and wear a press badge at all times.[2] A DEF CON source at NBC had tipped off organizers to Madigan's plans.[3]

[edit] 2008

This year's contest "Race to Zero", endeavours the contestants to submit a version of a given sample malware capable of being totally undetectable by all of the antivirus engines in each round. The contest concept has already attracted much negative attention.[4][5]

[edit] List of venues

[edit] References

  1. ^ Welcome to DEF CON, the Largest Underground Hacking Convention in the World
  2. ^ Cassel, David (4 August 2007). "Transcript: Michelle Madigan's run from Defcon". Tech.Blorge.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-15.
  3. ^ Zetter, Kim (3 August 2007). "Dateline Mole Allegedly at DefCon with Hidden Camera -- Updated: Mole Caught on Tape". Wired Blog Network. Retrieved on 2007-08-15.
  4. ^ Race to Zero. Contest concept.
  5. ^ McMillan, Robert (April 2008). Security Vendors Slam Defcon Virus Contest. IDG News Service.

[edit] External links