The Code Breaker Challenge is an advanced cryptographic puzzle designed for DEF CON attendees who want to push their problem-solving skills to the limit. Anyone who successfully cracks the code will receive an exclusive invite to a private pool party, where they can celebrate their achievement alongside fellow codebreakers.
How It Fits DEF CON’s Theme: Access Everywhere
Usable: The challenge is designed to be solved with logic, pattern recognition, and cryptographic knowledge—no special equipment or insider access required.
Accessible: Participants from all backgrounds can attempt it, regardless of whether they are seasoned cryptographers or first-time codebreakers.
Private & Secure: The challenge will incorporate modern encryption principles that highlight privacy-preserving technologies, showing the importance of cryptography in maintaining free and open access to information.
Structure The challenge will be a multi-layered puzzle, incorporating historical ciphers, steganography, and modern cryptographic techniques.
Participants will have the entire duration of DEF CON to solve it.
Those who succeed will be given a unique code or token to redeem their invitation to the private pool party.
Code Breakers need to access a computer and internet. Everything else is provided.
No pre-qual
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Join the local DC702 Group in this year's official DEF CON Meetup! The meetup will be casual and include typical meetup activities (e.g., socializing, "challenges," lockpicking, music, etc.) and maybe a few little surprises.
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"Drinking with the Dutch" at DEF CON is a perfect moment to talk about what your favourite thing is at DEF CON, show your cool handmade badges, impress other hackers about your latest hacks, make new friends, gossip about your boss and show your cat or dog pictures.
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Defcon.run is a beloved tradition at DEF CON, bringing together hackers for a refreshing start to the day. Originally known as the DEF CON 4x5K, the event has evolved into a distributed, community-driven experience featuring fun runs and rucks across Las Vegas. Participants can choose from various routes, ranging from simple 5Ks to more ambitious distances.
For DEF CON 33, the gathering point is "The Spot" by the North Entrance of the Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall. Here, the real wild hares gather before the sun has a chance to burn up this city of sin. The runs kick off at 06:00 Thursday through Sunday! But be there early for hype talks and shenanigans. We also have a whole new Meshtastic setup and website features we're adding. There are other runs swag drops and social meetups planned throughout the day and night as well!
Whether you're a seasoned runner or looking for something different, defcon.run offers a unique way to connect with other hackers and kick off your day. For more details and to sign up, visit defcon.run.
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We know DEF CON and Vegas can be a lot. If you're a friend of Bill W who's looking for a meeting or just a place to collect yourself, DEF CON 33 has you covered. Join us throughout the conference in the Friends of Bill W Community Space in W301.
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We know DEF CON and Vegas can be a lot. If you're a friend of Bill W who's looking for a meeting or just a place to collect yourself, DEF CON 33 has you covered. Join us throughout the conference in the Friends of Bill W Community Space in W301.
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This Pac-Man themed set of challenges takes Players on a journey through learning and demonstrating hacker and information security skills to earn points. With multiple subject-matter specific challenge groups and tracks, this hacker challenge game has something for everyone. Contest will continue operation on the Scramble.RogueSignal.io website outside of Contest Area Operating Hours until the Contest is closed.
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Our human registration process this year will be very similar to previous years. Please be patient. All of the times listed here are approximate.
A badge is required for each human age 8 and older.
You are a human if you do not know otherwise. People that are not humans include goons, official speaker, village/community/contest/creator staff, press, black badge holders, or similar. If you are not a human, you need to register separately. If you don't know how, see an NFO goon (NFO Node, formerly known as an infobooth, is where you can get help). The remainder of this message applies only to humans.
Linecon is your optional opportunity to stand (or sit) in line for human registration to open. Doors will open for linecon on Wednesday at approximately 17:00. When human registration opens on Thursday at approximately 08:00, they start working the linecon queue, and the line will start moving quickly. (Please understand that we will begin processing the line on Thursday morning as soon as the cashiers and materials are in place; we will strive for Thursday 08:00, but actual start may be slightly earlier or later.)
Online badge purchase (aka pre-registration) has no impact on linecon. You can join the line on Wednesday (if you wish) regardless of whether you purchased a badge online or intend to pay with cash. There is only one linecon for both types of badge sales.
Please help us make this a great experience for everyone by following directions given by goons. After human registration opens, there may be one line for all of registration, or there may be two lines (one for online sales (pre-registration) and one for cash sales). This may also change over time, based on available staffing and necessary crowd control. We will strive to make it easily understandable in-person as to which line you should join.
You will be emailed a QR code to the email address provided when you bought your badge. Please guard that QR code as though it is cash -- it can only be redeemed once, and anyone can redeem it if they have it (including a photo of it). Badges are picked-up on-site -- they will not be mailed or shipped.
We can scan the QR code either from your phone's display or from a printed copy. You must have the QR code with you in order to obtain your badge. As you approach the front of the line, if you are going to show your QR code on an electronic device, please ensure that your display is set to maximum brightness.
If you pre-registered, but ultimately are unable to attend DEF CON and want to cancel your purchase, the only way to get a refund is from the original online source. We are unable to provide any refunds on-site at DEF CON. There is a fee to have your badge canceled: $34 before July 18, and $84 on and after July 18.
Online purchases are provided a receipt via email when the purchase is made.
Online purchase -- often referred to as pre-registration -- does not allow you to skip any line/queue to pick up your badge. Once you arrive on-site, you will need to join the existing line for human registration. There may or may not be a dedicated line for pre-registration badge pickup, depending on when you arrive, how long the line is, available staff, etc.
Badges will be available for purchase on-site at DEF CON. All badge sales are cash only. No checks, money orders, credit cards, etc., will be accepted. In order to keep the registration line moving as quickly as possible, please have exact change ready as you near the front of the line.
There are no refunds given for cash sales. If you have any doubt about your desire to buy a badge, please refrain from doing so.
We are unable to provide printed receipts at the time of the sale. A generic receipt for the cash sale of a badge will be made available on media.defcon.org after the conference. You are welcome to print your own copy of the receipt on plain paper.
If you've purchased a DEF CON badge as part of your Black Hat registration, you're in luck - you will be able to pick up your DEF CON badge at Black Hat on Thursday. Please bring your Black Hat badge and watch for emails from Black Hat about where exactly the badge pickup will be. There will be DEF CON goons at Mandalay at the pickup desk to help out and answer questions.
Please note that DEF CON is not able to access or verify Black Hat registration or attendee info. DEF CON's preregistration list is not the same as Black Hat's. For help, ask at Black Hat registration or the concierge area.
Want to buy multiple badges? No problem! We're happy to sell you however many badges you want to pay for.
If you lose your badge, there is unfortunately no way for us to replace it. You'll have to buy a replacement at full price. Please don't lose your badge. :(
If you are being accompanied by a full-time caretaker (such as someone who will push your wheelchair, and will accompany you at all times), please ask to speak to a Registration Goon. Your caretaker will receive a paper badge that will permit them to accompany you everywhere you go.
If you have questions about anything regarding human registration that are not addressed here, please ask to speak to a Registration Goon.
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If you find something that seems to have been lost, please take that item to the nearest NFO Node. The item will enter the DEF CON Lost & Found system.
If you've lost something, the only way to check on it (or reclaim it) is by going to the Lost & Found department yourself. The Lost & Found department is in room LVCC - L2 - W238. You may also call Lost & Found at +1 (702) 477-5019.
The Lost & Found department plans to be open Thursday - Saturday, during all hours that the conference operates. On Sunday, the Lost & Found department will open with the venue at 08:00, but will close at the beginning of DEF CON 33 Closing Ceremonies (15:00). Shortly thereafter, all remaining lost items will be transferred to the LVCC. If you need to reach LVCC's Lost & Found, you may call LVCC Dispatch at +1 (702) 892-7400.
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All merch sales are USD CASH ONLY. No cards will be accepted.
The published hours for the merch area are only an approximation: supplies are limited, and when merch is sold out, the merch area will close for the year. (We intend to update this schedule to reflect their true operating status, but this is strictly best-effort.)
Note that the closing hours here are when sales must have ended. For example, if sales must end by 18:00, and we estimate that it will take 2 hours to clear the queue, doors are likely to close around 16:00. Because of this dynamic nature, we can't predict the length of the line or when doors will be closed.
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filthy basslines, mangled handsets, walls of DIY synths, and a telephone exchange of patch cables
SpeakerBio: FlingEmerging from the underground scene, Fling is quickly becoming one of the most exciting and compelling talents in the us drum and bass scene. Notably, Fling's unique blend of dark and rolling basslines with high intensity jump up and jungle is sure to shake up the dance floor and keep the crowd on their toes!
SpeakerBio: N8N8 has been obliterating eardrums with filthy drum&bass since he first played the Seattle club scene in the early 2000's. A staunch advocate against laptop DJ's and for getting TF off his lawn, the pandemic finally made him break down & switch to digital. He rides to Valhalla, shiny & chrome!
SpeakerBio: PalinuroParrot Security Director by day, Techno DJ at night
SpeakerBio: Dj Husk3Coming from the furry side of Defcon it's Dj Husk3 in the kitchen cookin up some Uk Hardcore, J-core, and some all American Happy hardcore
SpeakerBio: StitcharooThis is an All-Points Bulletin for the Las Vegas DEFCON area. Caution. A UFO has been spotted crashing into the nearby landscape. Be on the lookout for an unidentified creature. It is considered unarmed and incredibly dangerous. Eye-witness testimony indicates the space invader answers to "Stitcharoo" or "Experiment #696". The monster appears to be keen on projecting electronic music at uncomfortably loud bass-filled volumes, primarily consisting of the genre Vocal House. Under no circumstances is the alien to be allowed near electronic devices such as turntables, mixers, or other DJ equipment. The creature seems to have a preference for ice cream. Message Repeat. This is an All-Points Bulletin for the Las Vegas DEFCON area. Caution.
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Queercon has been invited to join the KEVOPS Department for their 1st Annual Sellout Pool Party. Tacos and drinks and music all night! (While tacos last)
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Join the KEVOPS Department for our 1st Annual Sellout Pool Party, supported by all of our amazing Exhibitors and Supporters! We'll have tacos and drinks and music all night!
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Join the humans of Vegas at the next inCARNEtion of your Thursday welcome party. Enjoy fewer walls and more garden as we meet AFK in the shade of Sunset Park. Burgers and dogs are provided; you bring everything else (specialties, drinks, labor, and donations). We're expanding our grills to over 40 sq ft of heat with space for veggies and your own personal creations.
Grab flyers from an Info Booth after Linecon, or watch #ToxicBBQ on the socials for the latest news.
Offsite @ Sunset Park, Foxtail Pavilion (36.0636, -115.1178)
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