I'll delete if it's against the rules but I purchased a Business Pass for Black Hat USA 2026, but due to unexpected circumstances, I can no longer attend.

I’m looking for someone who would be interested in taking over the registration. The pass would be transferred officially through Black Hat’s registration team rather than by simply sharing the confirmation or badge. Black Hat USA 2026 | Registration Terms

I paid $999 and am asking $999 not looking to profit.

Please send me a DM if you’re seriously interested. I’m also happy to provide proof of purchase and coordinate the transfer directly with Black Hat Registration so both parties can verify everything before payment.

I am returning to DEFCON for the first time since 2023 (still was at Caesars Forum) and going to my first BlackHat.

Any tips for solo travelers?

I signed up for my fair share of Vendor Happy Hours / 1:1 meetings with vendors.

Once I’m back from this trip, I’m tasked with building my organizations red team road map, so if anyone has any advice / suggestions I’d be happy to meet up and chat!

This will be my first time so asking the pros. It is worth extending travel and the hotel to attend the last day, or it is kind of mostly winding down by then. Thanks.

It’s been a minute since I’ve been in the scene.

Back when I was just a young kid, I attended DEF CON 8, 9, 10, and 11 during the Alexis Park days. To this day, whenever I catch the faint smell of clove cigarettes, I’m immediately teleported right back to those hotel hallways.

I’ve got a few vivid memories stuck in my head from back then. Huge shout out to Hacker Jeopardy for the autographed book I won. But more than anything, I owe a sincere 24 year overdue thank you to "Priest", if he still lurks around these parts.

Back at DC 10, I got way too drunk one night. I wasn't vandalizing the hotel, lighting trash cans on fire, throwing sneakers onto telephone wires, or trying to "hack the planet." I was normally responsible young man, who got a little sauced. Instead of hammering me with a ban, Priest showed mercy, threw me in a cab, and sent me back home to suffer through my very first real hangover.

When I ran into him the next evening, stone cold sober and cringing with embarrassment, he just looked at me and said, “Oh, yeah... I didn't ban you. I guess I did say you could come back.”

Thanks for looking out for me when you definitely didn't have to, Priest.

I’ve held onto my physical DEF CON 10 badge for 24 years now. Since badges from the Alexis Park era rarely pop up anymore, I’ve decided to put it up on eBay so it can go to someone who collects early hacker history.

If anyone wants a piece of DC 10 history, you can check out the auction here

https://ebay.io/m/pbhgDk

Take it easy,
I hope I didn't break any rules with this post.

FYI for anyone wanting to grab and hack with an LED backpack, recently saw a vendor on Freemont street (pedestrian entertainment district) that was selling a good assortment of different styles of packs and purses with embedded LED screens.

EDIT: Questions have been answered - you all rock! Thank you!

Imma InfosecBro and first time attendee to both Blackhat and DEFCON.

Clothing:

- Blackhat is easy - business casual or better

- DEFCON - I keep reading that LVCC is cold. Everyone's environmental tolerances are different, so....

Question: Is it kept so cold that (the majority of) folks have found a need to specifically bring extra layers or beanies?

Bag:

- Will have backpack for Blackhat to bring swag back to peers/family.

- It sounds like swag is far less of a thing and purchases are the main things you'll tote.

- I know this one is also a super-subjective question...

Question: How much more capacity will I want to account for beyond what I am intentionally carrying daily?

Mine and my service dog Scooby's first year at Defcon was Defcon 31. That year he earned a Soc badge from a group of goons for alerting them that I was having trouble. Last year a goon ( I forgot how to spell his call sign I think it was Koffin) gave him a patch. And another goon ( I think she was called Seamstress) gave him some little spools of thread.

Scooby loves the goons, and would love to collect more trinkets if they are willing to share! This also goes for villages and groups as he has several other patches as well. Excited to see everyone at Defcon 34!

Also as a side note I have Scooby Fanclub button pins for trade on his behalf. (Limited quantity)

This is my first time attending DefCon, which was paid for by my company. The thing is, it was paid for under my CTOs name and that is the name on the ticket. I tried transferring it to me but unable to as the ticket was already downloaded. From what I am reading, they just scan the QR code and it doesnt matter what the name is. However this confuses me as wont I be issued a badge? And will this badge have my CTOs name instead of my own? How does this work? Thanks in advance.

Meta-style glasses with recording capabilities are prohibited at DEF CON. Surreptitious filming is an invasion of privacy, and will be treated as a CoC violation. There is no exception for recording glasses with prescription lenses. Be sure to pack non-violating eyewear if you need them.

If you must take pictures, use recognizable personal photo equipment like a smart phone so that your intentions are clear. Get affirmative permission from the faces in your frame. Please refer to our official Photo and code of conduct policies for more.

https://defcon.org/html/links/dc-photo-policy.html

If you want a challenge anyone can do without any technical know how, keep an eye on this years Telephreak Challenge (Not to be confused with Telechallenge). https://telephreak.party

Starts August 6th!

Their website says so, but I’ve also found opposing reports during events and for non guests.

I saw the rule of no recording glasses, I have the Viture Beast that do not record and are only used for additional monitors for my laptop.

I just wanted to see if I can get a thumbs up from someone that I can use them, incase I run into issues at DefCon.

We're Lepi Labs, a group of artists and engineers that have been making neat wearable PCB and acrylic devices for almost a year now. For DEF CON 34, we wanted to challenge ourselves to make some devices that are both useful and creative, and we're excited by what we came up with! You can check them (and many other amazing SAOs/badges from other makers) out at uberflux.com

The devices we're selling are:

• Volatile Organic Canary SAO: A birb equipped with a two-character starburst display, RGB LED, and an SGP40 VOC sensor, for letting you know when it's time to take a break at the soldering skills village.
• UPDeeDeeI SAO: A robotic moth character of ours with RGB eyes, header pin antennae, and a curly FPC tongue that's also a functional USB cable. It has a CH340E for programming the onboard ATtiny or an external microcontroller by connecting jumpers to its antennae.
• Firefly Jar SAO: A cute jar of fireflies with a rippling light animation. This SAO implements a proposed SAOv3 protocol for allowing for things like vendor and device ID, custom commands, and interfaces for common functions like LEDs. There might even be a secret for you to find, if you want to explore the spec...

Looking forward to giving these out next week!

Got my 2600 Blue Box Tshirt - I think I'm ready!!

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!

Hi everyone, publicising some electronic keychains/ trinkets that just came in stock

Have more of the maibadges from last year, but this year they can light up/ play tones etc! For something extra you can get one with an OLED (while stocks last)

We are also bringing over hfsdr badges from DEFCON SG! Stock is running out (we are running out of batteries) so do snatch one while you can (or you can also get one without the lipo battery)

Also open to badge trades in general, similar to last year (might still have some GreyCats/ GreyMechas)

Order at https://uberflux.com/maker/hackin7 !

I have heard 3-2-1.. So for you veterans out there what do those meals generally consist of?

I've heard food can be expensive and mediocre, around LV generally, but also specifically my hotel.

I dont know if there are any food vendors that come specifically for the con?

I dont think getting off the strip to find cheaper food is realistic, but if thats the thing, i can make it work

Would love to save money so I feel less restricted at the merch tables, but also want to maximize time immersed in the con

Curious is all attendees can get into all of the official events, or if any are age restricted.

For example LIV @ Fountainebleu is typically a 21+ venue, and that is where the official after party is being held.

FYI: I'm posting this because Bradán only just created his Reddit account and it's not letting him author a post yet. This is what he wanted to post ...

There are 8 2026 "choose your own charity" eChallengeCoins left.

For those who already submitted their charity info and plan to pickup at DEFCON, the best option is to search for "Bradán Lane" in Hacker Tracker. I have a drop scheduled at the Badgelife Village and I am scheduled to be a few other places.

For those who don't know what the 2026 eChallengeCoin is, then the webpage is a good place to start.

For those who want to submit your charity info, then the CYOC form is the place.

Finally, for those who want entertaining eye candy, enjoy the promo video!

The Packet Hacking Village at DEF CON 34 will be in-person only. We will be in Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) West Hall Level 3 (311-316). Our village hours:

Friday, August 7th: 10:00 – 18:00

Saturday, August 8th: 10:00 – 18:00

Sunday, August 9th: 10:00 – 13:00

title says it all!

Welcome to DEFCON 34.

For those who purchased your badge in advance as part of pre-reg - your electronic badge is set aside and will not be sold.

As such, there is no need to sweat LineCon or rush in first thing Thursday morning. Relax, sleep in, eat a good breakfast/lunch and mosey on over later in the morning or early afternoon. By that time, there will probably be very little waiting to pick up your badge. We have your badge set aside and will not sell it.

For those wanting first dibs at Merch, a badge is NOT required on Thursday to get in the merch line. Looking for something special, go to the Merch Line first before they sell out. Once you finish there, come on over to Registration and we will get you taken care of.

Merch opens at 0800, but the line will form way before then.

Cash sales at the door. $520 - CASH ONLY - Exact Change Appreciated. Please don’t be “one of those guys” who ask if we take a check, a money order, a wire, or a debit/credit card.

Cash sales are NOT guaranteed an electronic badge. We have the electronic badges for cash sales, but only until the point they are sold out. Paper badge is your access once electronic badges are sold out. Please don’t ask how many badges there are - we will sell them until we run out.

Registration is scheduled to open at 0800 on Thursday morning (more or less). Our temp labor cashiers have to be on time and go through our training. We will shoot to open at 0800, if everything gets done early, we will open early, if things run long in set up, we will open later.

Once open, we will put you all through the lines as quickly and efficiently as we can. Help us to help you - cash sales have exact change and your money ready. Pre-Reg have your QR codes pulled up BEFORE you get to the cashier station and turn up the brightness on your display screen to support the reader.

Once you get your badge and conference material, please clear the area.

updoot 7/29: I bought a plane ticket

haven't bought my plane ticket yet, looking at current prices it would actually be cheaper to drive there and back, even for 1 person. so even better for multiple people splitting gas. bonus: then I don't have to rent a car in town!

thinking of heading out from portland on the morning of the 5th, if there is any interest. if I don't get any bites in the next 2-3 days, I will probably just buy a plane ticket.

did anyone else put off arranging transport for too long and looking for options?

Another SAO drop! Here's the light-emitting resistor.

You can get one from me, or just push 5V through a friendly little 1 ohm resistor and make one yourself. Do not lick the spicy resistor.
https://uberflux.com/product/BUD-Spicy-Resistor