FIDO2 Hardware: Part 2 – USB Host Circuit Boards

Check out the project on GitHub. After prototyping the MAX3421E USB host chip with the Raspberry Pi Zero in the previous blog entry to this series, I decided to design a custom PCB for this task. Transparency Disclaimer: This project has been in part sponsored by the PCB manufacturing company PCBWay. Circuit Design I used the public schematics of the… Read More →

NFC Hacking: Part 3 – My Left Arm Runs Java

Check out the project on GitHub and DangerousThings . In my previous posts about NFC security models and custom hardware tokens, I explained why I want a hardware token which can perform computations and is freely programmable, and how I built a development prototype based on the NXP P71 chip. As I explained, I always wanted to use the VivoKey… Read More →

Pimp My 3D Printer: Part 2 – AM8 Conversion

In 2018, I bought my first and only 3D-printer: The Anet “Firestarter” A8 DIY kit. A few months later, I wrote a post about what upgrades and modifications I did to this printer (No more firestarter). Now, in 2022, I once again upgraded this printer. Like the Ship of Theseus, at what point does it stop being the original printer?… Read More →

NFC Hacking: Part 1 – Authentication Systems Security

Check out the project on GitHub. Recently, I became interested in the security of various NFC/RFID contactless access control systems. You have probably seen some in action, for example smart door locks which you can unlock using a small key fob. Even credit cards and recent smartphones use the same technology to pay by touching the register terminal. I am… Read More →

Design And Assembly Of An I2C Relay PCB

Check out the project on GitHub. During the last few months, two interesting opportunities coincided: First, I was asked to design a purpose-built electrical control board for a water pumping system. In addition, I had an idle offer for financial sponsorship waiting in my inbox. This finally gave me a reason and the means to expand my PCB design skills… Read More →

A Proximity Chat Mod for “Among Us”

Check out the project on GitHub, and join our Discord server if you want to. Due to quarantine, several interesting and fun computer games resurfaced and got popular. One of these games is “Among Us” by InnerSloth, an online multiplayer social deduction game, similar to the board games “The Resistance” and “Mafia”. When I play with my friends, we usually… Read More →

FORTRAN In The Browser

Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should. I wanted to learn more about WebAssembly (Wasm), the new and cool kid in town. When testing out a new technology, you should always know why you are doing this and what you want to achieve. Except sometimes, it is just… Read More →

Building a Laser Cutter: Part 6 – Focus Aid

My laser cutter is working perfectly. However, depending on the thickness of the material being cut, the focus of the laser lens needs to be adjusted. This is done by turning the lens screw in front of the laser, which is both finicky and imprecise. To improve this situation, I 3D-printed a small focus-lever with a scale. First things first,… Read More →