Power Pwn hacking surge protector (Pwnie Express)
Pwnie Express have designed some rather fascinating ‘covert’ devices. One made to look like every-day computer related hardware gives corporations, and other entities, the ability to ‘hack’ their own networks in order to test cyber security. The company has recently unveiled this piece of security-penetrating hardware that looks overly mundane but packs a nasty punch when it comes to bypassing security systems.
Called ‘Power Pwn’, the fully integrated enterprise-class penetration testing platform looks like a typical surge protector (and functions like one too) but housed inside are a high-gain 802.11b/g/n wireless adapter as well as a Bluetooth module, 3G cellular connection and Ethernet ports that allow multiple choices for security professionals to gain access to the targeted networks. The DARPA-funded device uses a host of scripts that enable it from being detected even if the target network uses NAC (Network Access Control), 802.1x and RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service). These scripts, which include Debian 6, Metasploit, Kismet, nmap, Aircrack and Hydra (among others), enable the user to remain undetected and able to operate in ‘stealth-mode’ with the ability to send SMS text messages (Text-to-Bash) to garner control through command-line instructions that run in a Linux environment.
The Power Pwn was designed as part of DARPA’s Cyber Fast Track program for ‘security research,’ but presumably anyone will be able to throw down $1,295 US for personal use once the device is released. (Pwnie Express is currently taking pre-orders with an expected shipping date of September 30th at this time).
Cabe