Pinball Zero captured the attention of netizens on TikTok and sparked debate about its legality and malicious potential. The Flipper was even caught in the nets of Amazon. Are you curious? So, check out this controversial tool.
Born out of a Kickstarter campaign in 2020 and selling for $169, Pinball Zero quickly gained popularity on TikTok. Nicknamed the “ Hacker’s Tamagotchi he looks like a child’s toy, but his abilities far exceed appearances.
Equipped with a very light ARM chip (Cortex-M4 and Cortex-M0+), 1 MB of Flash memory and 192 KB of SRAM, this lightweight device has a 1.4-inch monochrome LCD screen and several buttons, including a back button. Powered by a 2000 mAh rechargeable battery via USB-C, Flipper Zero incorporates wireless connections such as NFC and an infrared transmitter, as well as an RFID chip, GPIO pins and a Dallas key (iButton).
RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, infrared…
Pinball Zero can read, copy and emulate RFID and NFC tags, remote controls and digital keys thanks to its support for infrared signals. Autonomous, it can be connected to external modules via a GPIO port. Completely open source, however it is difficult to copy its functions without knowledge of electronics. Its integrated circuits, however, are not licensed in the same way.
@franxy00 i love my flipper zero #flipperzero #flippers #fyp #hacking #foryou #italyale #gasstation
♬ Smoked out Phonk – TREVASPURA
While TikTok videos are often exaggerated, Pinball Zero still has malicious potential. It can clone hotel keys on rudimentary systems, change prices on gas station billboards, or replace remote controls.
@techmagnet Didn’t expect this to work 😭 #flipperzero #tesla #auto #teslahack #magic #lifehack #magictrick #secret #carsoftiktok #crazy
♬ Where Have You Been x The Hills – DJ L BEATS
However, it cannot copy encrypted NFC data, making a complete copy of a bank card using NFC technology impossible. With a Tesla, you will only be able to open the charging hatch. It is possible to compromise a less secure Wi-Fi network. However, this requires the addition of a specific development board, suitable firmware and a tool such as Wi-Fi Marauder. That is, there are many other methods to accomplish the same task.
Designed to help security professionals perform penetration testing and debugging, the Flipper Zero is a forensic product. However, Amazon has asked sellers to remove ads related to the device, prompting them to turn to other merchants. Be aware that the official site is constantly replenished.
Its main objective is to help security professionals and technology enthusiasts
Pinball Zero is a versatile and fascinating tool that has sparked much discussion about its capabilities and malicious potential. Although it can be used for dubious purposes, it is important to emphasize that its main purpose is to help security professionals and technology enthusiasts better understand and secure the systems they are testing. As with any tool, how it is used depends on the user and their intentions.
Other comparable devices exist on the market, such as the Proxmark3, a flexible and portable RFID/NFC tool, and the HackRF One, an SDR (Software Defined Radio) transceiver which allows exploration of radio frequencies from 1 MHz. at 6GHz. These devices, like Pinball Zero, provide fun and educational opportunities for technology enthusiasts while raising questions about user safety and responsibility.
Ultimately, the discussion around Pinball Zero highlights the challenges we face in an increasingly connected world. It is essential to continue to develop and promote education in cybersecurity and personal responsibility to ensure that tools such as Pinball Zero are used in an ethical and constructive manner.
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