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Showing posts with label Raspberry Pi. Show all posts
Youtube
Internet Routers LED Raspberry Pi Software Technology WiFi Youtube

Raspberry Pi Project Turns Wi-Fi Signals Into Visual Light Displays

 



Wireless communication surrounds people at all times, even though it cannot be seen. Signals from Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices, and mobile networks constantly travel through homes and cities unless blocked by heavy shielding. A France-based digital artist has developed a way to visually represent this invisible activity using light and low-cost computing hardware.

The creator, Théo Champion, who is also known online as Rootkid, designed an installation called Spectrum Slit. The project captures radio activity from commonly used wireless frequency ranges and converts that data into a visual display. The system focuses specifically on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, which are widely used for Wi-Fi connections and short-range wireless communication.

The artwork consists of 64 vertical LED filaments arranged in a straight line. Each filament represents a specific portion of the wireless spectrum. As radio signals are detected, their strength and density determine how brightly each filament lights up. Low signal activity results in faint and scattered illumination, while higher levels of wireless usage produce intense and concentrated light patterns.

According to Champion, quiet network conditions create a subtle glow that reflects the constant but minimal background noise present in urban environments. As wireless traffic increases, the LEDs become brighter and more saturated, forming dense visual bands that indicate heavy digital activity.

A video shared on YouTube shows the construction process and the final output of the installation inside Champion’s Paris apartment. The footage demonstrates a noticeable increase in brightness during evening hours, when nearby residents return home and connect phones, laptops, and other devices to their networks.

Champion explained in an interview that his work is driven by a desire to draw attention to technologies people often ignore, despite their significant influence on daily life. By transforming technical systems into physical experiences, he aims to encourage viewers to reflect on the infrastructure shaping modern society and to appreciate the engineering behind it.

The installation required both time and financial investment. Champion built the system using a HackRF One software-defined radio connected to a Raspberry Pi. The radio device captures surrounding wireless signals, while the Raspberry Pi processes the data and controls the lighting behavior. The software was written in Python, but other components, including the metal enclosure and custom circuit boards, had to be professionally manufactured.

He estimates that development involved several weeks of experimentation, followed by a dedicated build phase. The total cost of materials and fabrication was approximately $1,000.

Champion has indicated that Spectrum Slit may be publicly exhibited in the future. He is also known for creating other technology-focused artworks, including interactive installations that explore data privacy, artificial intelligence, and digital systems. He has stated that producing additional units of Spectrum Slit could be possible if requested.

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Zohran Mamdani
Cyber Security Flipper Zero new York City Raspberry Pi United States Zohran Mamdani

NYC Inauguration Security Policy Draws Attention for Targeting Specific Tech Tools

 



New York City’s official guidelines for the 2026 mayoral inauguration of Zohran Mamdani include an unusual restriction: attendees are not permitted to bring Flipper Zero devices or Raspberry Pi computers to the event. The prohibition appears in the event’s publicly released FAQ, which outlines items considered unsuitable for entry due to safety and security concerns.

The restricted items list largely follows standard event security practices. Objects such as weapons, fireworks, drones, large bags, strollers, bicycles, alcohol, illegal substances, laser pointers, and blunt instruments are all prohibited. However, the explicit naming of two specific technology products has drawn attention, as most other entries are described in broad categories rather than by product name.

The Flipper Zero is a compact electronic device designed for learning and testing wireless communication systems. It can interact with technologies such as RFID cards, NFC tags, infrared signals, Bluetooth, and other radio-based protocols. These capabilities make it popular among cybersecurity researchers, developers, and students who use it to study how digital systems communicate and identify weaknesses in controlled environments.

Raspberry Pi, on the other hand, is a small and affordable single-board computer that runs full operating systems, most commonly Linux. It is widely used for educational purposes, programming practice, home automation, and prototyping technical projects. With additional accessories, a Raspberry Pi can perform many of the same functions as a traditional computer.

What has raised questions among technology professionals is the selective nature of the ban. While these two devices are specifically listed, laptops and smartphones are not mentioned as restricted items. This distinction has caused confusion, as modern phones and computers can run advanced security tools, wireless analysis software, and penetration-testing platforms with significantly greater processing power.

Devices like the Flipper Zero have previously been the subject of public concern and regulatory attention in several regions. Authorities and lawmakers have, at times, expressed fears that such tools could be misused for activities such as unauthorized access to vehicles, payment systems, or wireless networks. In response, some retailers have temporarily removed listings, and certain governments have proposed restrictions. However, many of these measures were later reversed, and the devices remain legal to own and use in most countries, including the United States.

Security experts note that the risk associated with a device often depends more on intent and usage than on the hardware itself. Tools designed for learning and testing can be misused, but the same is true for everyday consumer electronics. As a result, critics argue that banning specific products without addressing broader technical capabilities may reflect a limited understanding of modern technology.

Event organizers have not yet provided a public explanation for why the Flipper Zero and Raspberry Pi were singled out. Until further clarification is issued, the decision continues to prompt discussion about how cybersecurity concerns are interpreted in public safety planning and whether naming individual devices is an effective approach to risk management.



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Raspberry Pi
ATM Hacking Banks Group IB Hackers Raspberry Pi

Hackers Use 4G-Connected Raspberry Pi to Breach Bank’s ATM Network

 





A cybercriminal group has used a surprising method to infiltrate a bank’s internal systems, by planting a tiny Raspberry Pi computer inside the bank’s network. The attackers reportedly used the device to gain access to critical parts of the bank’s infrastructure, including systems that control ATM transactions.

The incident was reported by cybersecurity firm Group-IB, which called the approach “unprecedented.” The attackers managed to bypass all external cybersecurity defenses by physically placing the small computer inside the bank’s premises and connecting it to the same switch that handles ATM traffic. This gave them direct access to the bank’s internal communications.

The Raspberry Pi was fitted with a 4G modem, which allowed the hackers to control it remotely over mobile networks, meaning they didn’t need to be anywhere near the bank while carrying out their attack.

The main target was the bank’s ATM switching server — a system responsible for processing ATM transactions, and its hardware security module (HSM), which stores sensitive information like encryption keys and passwords. By gaining access to these systems, the attackers hoped to manipulate transaction flows and extract funds undetected.

The hacking group behind the attack, known in cybersecurity circles as UNC2891, has been active since at least 2017. They are known for targeting financial institutions and using custom-built malware, especially on Linux, Unix, and Solaris systems.

In this latest attack, the group also compromised a mail server within the bank to maintain long-term access. This mail server had continuous internet connectivity and acted as a bridge between the Raspberry Pi and the rest of the bank’s network. A monitoring server, which had access to most internal systems, was used to route communications between the devices.

During their investigation, Group-IB researchers noticed strange behavior from the monitoring server. It was sending signals every 10 minutes to unknown devices. Further analysis revealed two hidden endpoints, the planted Raspberry Pi and the compromised mail server.

The attackers had gone to great lengths to stay hidden. They disguised their malware by giving it the name “lightdm,” which is the name of a legitimate Linux display manager. They even mimicked normal command-line behavior to avoid raising suspicion during forensic reviews.

To make detection harder, the hackers used a lesser-known technique called a Linux bind mount, typically used in system administration, but now added to the MITRE ATT&CK cybersecurity database under “T1564.013.” This allowed the malware to function like a rootkit — a type of software that hides its presence from both users and security tools.

This incident is your call to be hyperaware of how attackers are becoming more creative, blending physical access with advanced software tactics to infiltrate secure environments.

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Risk Management
ATM Hacking Cyber Crime Raspberry Pi Risk Management

How Cybercriminals are Hacking ATM Machines? Here's a Quick Look

 

Security researchers have published a report on the modus operandi of the cybercriminals who are using malware, a key from eBay, and a Raspberry Pi to hack ATMs. Here’s how they’re doing it. 

The Modus Operandi

Cybercriminals exploit the vulnerabilities in the operating system of the computers responsible for running the ATMs. Unfortunately, the operating system inside the computers isn’t as secured as the enclosure the computer sits in. Windows 7 is the most common operating system; however, Windows XP is also widely used. These are outdated operating systems that should have made to retire a long time ago. 

Threat actors purchase malware packages from the dark web to exploit the vulnerabilities in these operating systems and to interact with the ATM software. Some of the malware packs contain compromised proprietary software belonging to ATM manufacturers.

Before hacking the ATM, cybercriminals mark the ATMs in a city, and the ones with the high use are targeted. Attacks are typically planned for days such as Black Friday or Valentine’s Day when ATMs are loaded with up to 20 percent more money than usual. ATMs are also loaded with extra money in the weeks leading up to Christmas because many people receive their yearly or Christmas bonus in their pay.

Choice of ATM Brands and Malware Installation 

The popular names in ATM manufacturing are Diebold Nixdorf, Wincor Nixdorf, NCR, Triton, and Hitachi-Omron. Cybercriminals are very specific in their targets because the knowledge of ATM hardware helps threat actors to buy the appropriate malware and the appropriate key to open the ATM enclosure.

The USB ports on ATMs are restricted and will only accept a connection from a keyboard or a mouse. This is to allow servicemen to perform maintenance on the units. You would have loaded the malware onto your Raspberry Pi, and obtained a battery so that it can run as a portable unit. The malware is written in a way that convinces the ATM that the Raspberry Pi is a keyboard. Stored commands tumble out of the Raspberry Pi into the ATM, and the ATM dutifully follows them. 

Another way is to insert a USB memory stick into the ATM and reboot it off an operating system in the memory stick. When the ATM has booted, threat actors can install the malware directly into the ATM’s currently dormant operating system. When they reboot the ATM using its regular operating system they can control the malware by inserting a specially created card, or via a secret key combination on the ATM’s keypad.
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