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 →
FIDO2 Hardware: Part 1 – Transport Protocol Translation
Check out the project on GitHub. A while back, I wrote about how I use javacard chips for all kind of systems. One of the authentication protocols these chips support (given a compatible applet is installed) is FIDO2. I won’t go into what FIDO is or why it is such a big deal, you can find plenty of resources on… 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 2 – Building Custom Hardware Tokens
Check out the project on GitHub. In my previous post about NFC security models, I explained why a hardware token that is able to do some computation on its own is required for a secure (enough) authentication. The obvious solution would be to use a YubiKey, however I want to use my own code and control the hardware as well… 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. 2024 Update This post was originally published in 2020. Today, in 2024, the FORTRAN compiler landscape has changed quite a bit – while FORTRAN still does not enjoy first-class WebAssembly support in the LLVM toolchain, it is now possible to set… 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 →