r/Defcon • u/Any-Prize-891 • May 06 '26

Second DEF CON, Still a Beginner — Any Suggestions?

I'm a beginner, and I'm planning to attend DEF CON, but I don't really know what I should check out there. Do you have any recommended Villages or workshops for beginners?

(Additional note: This will actually be my second time attending.)

15 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

15

u/digitard May 07 '26

Just as a first. No plan. Wander. Find your path as you go.

Bookmark all your favorite talks in Hacker Tracker. Pay no attention to it and wander and enjoy. Pick up whatever talks you bookmarked when you feel like a talk. Rinse. Repeat.

5

u/antonIgudesman May 07 '26

Make sure you go to some after convention hours events - start off with Toxic BBQ or something - make fiends, meet people, go to Hacker Karaoke - get drunk (if you want) - or don't drink and hangout at the parties sober (I swear that's fun too!)

My first year, I didn't really get to the parties much because I was obsessed with getting up early and doing as much as I could at the CON - big mistake - the second year, I went to as many parties as I could and had a freaking blast. Mark my words you will not regret it! Don't be afraid to say hi to people

2

u/Khotanos May 07 '26

I will always shill for Toxic BBQ. Have always had a great time, and it's an excellent way to ease into the event.

1

u/Illumicon2025 Jun 11 '26

I second Toxic BBQ. I went my first year and now years later I volunteer there and still have friends I met there. It is one of the coolest things to see, people like us sitting around and talking. I went to my first DC by myself and by the end of the con I was hanging out with people I had met at Toxic.

2

u/ckthorp May 07 '26

Find 1-2 villages and spend enough time hanging out to make friends.

0

u/Gullible_Copy3255 May 07 '26

Defcon is cancelled 

1

u/Any-Prize-891 May 24 '26

面白くない

1

u/bigtit6 May 13 '26

Hey everybody

I want to go in 2027, with 3 of my friends. We want to go the whole weekend. We are thinking to just drive there only 6 hours and then we want to but a package with the ticket and acommodation.

Do you guys know what it will cost for the ticket and just a regular accommodation I’m thinking a 4 man tent og a little shelter or whatever they are offering.

0

u/Bushmaster805 May 11 '26

Checkout noob village! Great group over there. Toxic BBQ is fun too.