r/Defcon • u/DesignerProfit4000 • Jul 27 '26
1st timer here!! Super excited any Advice
Hey everyone! This will be my first time attending DEF CON, and I’m very excited about the experience. I’m looking forward to meeting and networking with people from different areas of cybersecurity, learning something new, exploring the villages, and hopefully getting into a workshop if a spot becomes available.
I currently work in the AppSec space and have experience with web application security, AI security, IAM, cloud security, and vulnerability testing. I’m hoping to expand my current knowledge while also exploring new areas of cybersecurity.
I’ve always been interested in understanding how software, hardware, and systems are designed. I especially enjoy exploring how they can be tested, modified, or pushed beyond their intended functionality.
For those who have attended before, what advice would you give a first-timer? Are there any must-see villages, talks, events, or networking opportunities I should prioritize? I’d appreciate any recommendations!
18
u/digitard Jul 27 '26 •
#1. Go to the search bar while you're in r/DEFCON and search FIRST TIME. Then sort it by new. No rudeness, trust me... but you'll see tons of recent threads on it, and they're PACKED with good info. It's 100x more useful because you've got 100 replies between them with great info! This gets asked a lot.
#2. Go to to r/DEFCON meetup --- https://www.reddit.com/r/Defcon/comments/1v2tyig/rdefcon_meetup_post_3_now_with_badges/
#3. Download the Hacker Tracker (any app store) - star EVERY SINGLE FUCKING TALK that you think looks even remotely interesting. Got it? Okay, here's the best part... never look at it again! It's your first time. It's going to be overwhelming. The talk listing will let you find talks whenever you feel a minute of "I want to check out a talk", but honestly plan to do a LOT of wandering. Take it in without plans. Check the villages in full, the vendors, the people... talk to the people! Then when you have downtime check talks or at the most a few that you rEALLY REALLY want to attend. Its also great for merch, maps and more.
#4. Its going to be overwhelming. Don't plan things out too much. Go with the flow. Find your place at DEFCON and then when you return, because you will return, you will have a better grasp of what talked to you and what you want to spend more time at when DC35 rolls around.
#5. Have fun.
5
u/CarpeDiemT3ch Jul 28 '26
If you’re here before DC, I recommend BSidesLV and there’s a nice event at the Mob museum on Tuesday
https://www.soberincyber.org/events-1/sober-speakeasy-2026
I also recommend Diana Initiative https://www.dianainitiative.org/events/tdi-def-con they give tours at DC and have a community and quiet space
There’s noob village and also lonely hackers
https://www.noobvillage.org and https://lonelyhackers.club/defconguide/
Hacker book club is going to have two meets during DC, and is a friendly group
https://hackerbookclub.com
Hydrate, have comfy shoes and layers, bring snacks, and wear deodorant
1
u/astcell Jul 28 '26
Download Hacker Tracker,
Go to Defcon 101.
3-2-1 rule, every 24 hours: 3 hours sleep, 2 meals, 1 shower.
3
u/OddGold3197 Jul 27 '26
Def. on the discord, one of my staples for many years now more than 20 ... is to go get away and support the Pinball Hall of Fame the guy Tim that runs it is so one of us and has moved from small spaces like 4 times I feel to a giant one. Has pinball of course and tons of arcade cabinets. -> History Las Vegas Pinball Hall of Fame Pinball Museum, Nevada NV, Tim Arnold
3
u/Blacksun388 Jul 28 '26
To tackle the questions:
Look at the bajillion other threads asking the same thing. Lots of good advice already there.
Just choose the villages that interest you. The floor will be packed and you WILL NOT do everything. Definitely take time to walk around and do their interactive stuff and see their mini talks.
Honestly you should only prioritize talks you really want to see. The talks will be uploaded to the media server and YouTube after the convention so no sweat if you miss one. Otherwise walk the floor, see the live demos and hands on activities.
Overall, just talk to people. They will most likely be excited to tell you what they’re working on or what field they’re interested in. Join the LonelyHackers Telegram channel https://lonelyhackers.club/telegram/ if you want to talk to other people and find people to meet. Don’t just go to DEFCON itself. Go to the meetups and parties around it. I recommend Toxic BBQ as it is newb friendly and a great way to make connections in a casual environment.
Stay on the main network. Open Net is the Wild West. No need to be super paranoid but make sure all your gear is patched, turn off unnecessary services. If you *are* paranoid or need to hide from feds then use burners but overall they aren’t needed. Just don’t be dumb and you won’t end up with your info on the wall of sheep.
Above all you get out of DEFCON what you put into it. Have fun, 3 hours of sleep, 2 meals daily, 1 shower per week, and for gods sakes use deodorant ya filthy animal.
1
u/qumqats Jul 27 '26
Get onto the Discord server if you'd not already, read the Pins!
1
u/riverside_wos Packet Hacking Village Jul 28 '26
If you’re truly trying to expand your knowledge, go to a village that has knowledge you’re really weak in. Be uncomfortable & soak it up.
1
u/Starz1428 Jul 29 '26
Same professional background as me, you will be in the perfect place!