Top Code Crackers Meet at DEF CON

(Photo : Wikimedia Commons)

The best hackers around the globe headed to Las Vegas, Nev., for the 22nd annual DEF CON held on Aug. 7 through Aug. 10

Over 10,000 people are participating in the four-day conference, which kicked off at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. The greatest code slingers are converging for competitions, networking, briefings and a whole lot of fun, according to Fox News.

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The DEF CON is an event for the people who are interested to learn the new vulnerabilities, latest hacks and get updated on the computer bug bounties.

Organizers of the DEF CON and Black Hat, a similar meeting of computer experts for security purposes, conferences have already sent tips to journalists in advance to prevent them from falling victim to the cyber traps that some hackers with a sense of humor put up.

Wi-Fi networks and automated teller machines near the venue also warrant caution and using seemingly harmless thumb drives as a giveaway might not be the best idea, according to Fox News.

At DEF CON 2014, John McAfee, the extremely reclusive founder of the McAfee antivirus company, has been revealed as the keynote speaker.

'I believe that the world needs the collective talents of these individuals now more than ever,' McAfee said. 'Our fundamental right to privacy is being eroded at an alarming rate by invasive and misappropriated technology, and as privacy is diminished, so are our freedoms. We must take a stand now and join forces, or I fear this erroneous turn will soon become irreversible.'

While DEF CON is the setting where hackers share their discoveries, it is also the place for a battle between hackers.

There are smaller events in the conference such as the Be the Match Foundation's bone marrow drive and light-hearted, fun contests such as the 'DEF CON Beard and Moustache Competition.'

There are also numerous other games and competitions away from computers such as the 'Black Bag' lock-picking contest and the 'Beverage Cooling Contraption Contest.'

On-the-keyboard competitions such as the 'SOHOplessly Broken,' a competition where hackers attack highly vulnerable small office and home office devices, and 'Capture the Flag' where a team of the computer experts attempt to crack and defend computers and networks.

The competitions with computers are indispensable in spotting vulnerabilities in the software and hardware of networks and computers. After being cracked by the best of the best, security agencies can move forward to prevent such happenings in the future.