I recently wrote “Pwning for n00bs: Flipper Zero Enabling Amateur Cyber Intrusions,” focusing on the emerging threat posed by a device called Flipper Zero. The tool, which has grown popular in the hacker community, allows users—especially amateurs—to perform a variety of cyber attacks with ease.

The Flipper Zero is marketed as “a multi-tool for hacking” and operates on a variety of environments such as sub-GHz RF for tasks like unlocking doors, RFID/NFC for emulating access cards, and infrared to control TVs and A/C units. Its functionality extends to general-purpose input/output pins and Bluetooth capabilities. Designed with a “toy-like” aesthetic, the device can be deceptively powerful, masking its serious potential for misuse.

Popularity surged following a successful Kickstarter campaign and astronomical sales, fueled by viral tutorials on TikTok and YouTube. The “hacker brand” continues to grow despite the device’s ban from platforms like Amazon due to its potential for misuse in card skimming and other potentially illegal activities.

The threat landscape has been amplified by the Flipper Zero’s capabilities, including the creation of malicious Wi-Fi hotspots, easy-to-deploy USB attacks via BadUSB payloads, and unauthorized physical access through RFID/NFC exploits. To counter these risks, my presentation suggests a multipronged defensive strategy focusing on awareness and training, securing RFID/NFC communications, and cautious Bluetooth usage.

The crux of the strategy lies in educating employees and individuals about recognizing Flipper Zero devices, suspicious Wi-Fi networks, and maintaining physical security vigilance. For RFID/NFC, implementing multi-factor authentication and dynamic keys is crucial. When it comes to Bluetooth, the advice is to enable it only when necessary to protect against potential attacks. While the Flipper Zero has legitimate uses for testing and security research, it also poses significant risks in the hands of those with malicious intent. As such, staying informed, vigilant, and prepared with defensive strategies is more important than ever.

I’ve created two demos to showcase just how easy it is to set up an evil WiFi hotspot and to steal a WiFi password. Check them out and be careful out there.