Here are some of the HOPE 26 workshops that have been finalized. We will be updating this section every day from now until HOPE so keep checking!
Binary Jiujitsu: White Belt Fundamentals
Binary Jiujitsu: White Belt Fundamentals is the entry point of the platform’s belt progression, taking students from zero binary-exploitation experience to their first working exploit against 32-bit x86 binaries with no protections enabled. It’ s organized into four stripes that build sequentially: Binaries and Memory (ELF layout, process memory, the stack, registers, and calling conventions); Finding the Vulnerability (spotting unsafe C functions, source auditing, and disassembly with objdump/GDB); Crashing and Control Flow Hijacking (triggering crashes, using cyclic patterns to find the offset, and confirming EIP control); and Exploitation (the ret2win pattern and weaponizing control-flow hijacking into a working payload with pwntools). Every lesson is paired with a hands-on challenge binary, students write scripts and work with real tools throughout rather than absorbing theory upfront, and the whole thing runs entirely in-browser with no VM or local setup required. The workshop version is instructor-guided and closes with a Blue Belt test CTF.
Breaking Walled Gardens: An iOS Jailbreaking Workshop
Dedicate some time to try hacking existing devices to extend their longevity and limit our own production of e-waste. This is a workshop to jailbreak old Apple devices for reusability in modern livelihoods. Non iOS devices are also possible to explore. Each participant will be requested to bring an old i-device (ideally with the original charger) to go through the process of “jailbreaking.” If participants do not have old Apple devices, they are welcome to bring other specific hardware and use the workshop time to experiment with modifications and tooling to get them up and running again (think old phones, media players, game consoles). In this workshop, you will be looking for ways to play around with the existing hardware and re-incorporating them back into serviceable devices. Potential avenues could include: extra screens for an art installation, modded gaming consoles to play lost media, or simply using your old iPod as a music player again. This workshop will also have a discussion on the philosophy of perma-computing, or ways we can hack existing devices to extend their longevity and limit our own production of e-waste. Devices are planned to become obsolete, and it is our job as soft(ware) custodians to maintain, cultivate, and care for these old and forgotten tools.
Build and Secure AI Systems
Elizabeth Biddlecome, Sam Bowne
Build AI systems for vision, language processing, and agents; then attack and defend them. This is a fun CTF-style workshop with challenges and demonstrations at many levels, from beginner to advanced. Everyone should learn something new!
Build and Use a Still-Air Box for Aseptic Handling of (Bacterial) Sample
Tiny particles can have all sorts of living things attached or may even be alive themselves! One basic method when working with biology is keeping the organisms you want away from the organisms you don’ t. To this end, a still-air box can help you prevent contamination if you are manipulating materials fo r plant tissue culture, mycology, microbiology, or other fields requiring a reduction of airborne contaminants. In addition to keeping contaminants “out,” ensuring that you don’t grow anything you don’t intend, proper use of a still-air box can also help with keeping your sample “in,” ensuring that the risk of exposure to anything unknown is mitigated. Come to this workshop to make a simple and extensible still-air box and/or to learn about how to operate one safely by separating mixtures of commercially available bacteria using the streak-plate method.
Build Your Own Meshtastic Node: Off-Grid, Encrypted LoRa Meshnets for Beginners!
Beginners can now create off-grid, encrypted mesh networks for cheap, with applications in emergency communication, sensor monitoring, and more! These mesh networks have been popping up in cities all over the world, and this workshop will go over everything a beginner needs to run or build their own nodes. If you ’ve ever wanted to legally create off-grid, encrypted mesh networks that can span over a hundred miles, you can get started with Meshtastic for around $50. This class will serve as a beginner user’s guide to Meshtastic, covering everything from hardware basics to advanced software configuration. The workshop will use custom Meshtastic nodes to see real-world results in Las Vegas and explore attacks against mesh networks. Attendees will learn to run their own Meshtastic nodes, select antenna options, and configure software!
DEZINE for Builders and Hackers
Design Thinking for Builders and Hackers is a 90-minute, hands-on workshop that uses a collaborative game to introduce design thinking through real-world technology and social challenges. Working in small teams, participants tackle problems in areas like privacy, AI, surveillance, and censorship resistance while navigating realistic constraints that force creative, human-cente red solutions. This workshop encourages rapid ideation, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and fresh perspectives on how to build technology that works in complex, resource-constrained contexts.
Evaluating a Program’s Free Software Licensing
Being able to take a random program from the Internet and be confident whether it is free software or not, solely based on the available documentation within the program’ s source code, is a useful skill. (This is not legal advice and Craig is not a lawyer.) This workshop involves walking the participants through the evaluation process of a computer program’ s licensing in order to determine if it is eligible for entry in the Free Software Foundation’s Free Software Directory.
Exploring Security in the Bio-Digital Stack
This workshop introduces participants to biocybersecurity, also known as cyberbiosecurity, and examines how biological knowledge and techniques can be adapted or repurposed within cyber and cyber-physical systems. Following an introduction, participants will work through facilitated case studies to identify potential risks, consequences, and design considerations at the intersection of biology and cybersecurity. The session intends to help participants develop an intuitive understanding of this emerging field through discussion and analysis. No advanced background in biology or cybersecurity is required; only curiosity and a willingness to ask questions are needed.
Far-Out Video Feedback With Stuff You Already Have
Explore the infinite creative possibilities of video feedback using just your laptop and OBS (free video software). This workshop will scratch the surface of the groovy fractal universe of real-time video feedback. Laptop required. Caution: While participants will try to tame the vortex, playing with feedback can produce rapidly flashing lights.
Get On the Fediverse Already
The Fediverse is an international coalition of independent social networks that connect using the open ActivityPub protocol. In this hands-on workshop, you will learn the step-by-step process for creating an account on the Fediverse, as well as how to set up your profile, find people to follow, and make your first post.
Get Your Amateur (Ham) Radio License in a Single Day
Nicole Adams, BusySignal, Dan Romanchik, Ed Wilson
This workshop will teach attendees what they need to know to pass the Technician Class amateur radio license exam and get started in amateur radio. It includes six hours of instruction, with the exam administered immediately after the workshop. It is sometimes said that radio amateurs were the original hackers, cobbling together transmitters and receivers from odds, ends, and discarded electronics. Radio amateurs continue this tradition today, and in addition to building their own gear, they ’ re hacking on digital communications systems, including both hardware and software. Amateur radio is a great hobby for electronics enthusiasts and, increasingly, for hardware and software hackers. Participants will increase their chances of passing the test if they download the study guide from www.kb6nu.com/study-guides/ and familiarize themselves with the material before coming to the workshop. The text for this workshop is Dan’s No Nonsense Technician Class License Study Guide. The PDF version of the study guide is available for free at the above page. EPUB and print versions are also available for a small charge.
Hacking at the First Five Pages: A Screenwriting Workshop
Do you have a movie inside you? This is a writing workshop focused on the structures that can be set up in the early pages of a screenplay. Bring your script, come to write, or just come to learn. Details on the wiki. Lines like “hack the planet” are burned into most of our brains, but to get in there they had to go through a lengthy process that all started with a script. The first five pages of a script are critical for engaging the reader and setting up the rest of the story, so that is where this workshop will focus.
Health Sovereignty: Herbal Medicine for Everyday Care
The workshop will be an open discussion and hands-on introduction to practical herbal medicine for everyday health. It will engage directly with plants to assess herbs through both sensory experience and basic phytochemistry - and discuss herbal preparations such as tinctures, oils, and teas.
Introduction to Malware Analysis
Elizabeth Biddlecome, Sam Bowne
Learn Windows internals and how malware operates in a fun CTF-style workshop with challenges and demonstrations at many levels, from beginner to advanced. Everyone should learn something new!
Learn BadUSB Hacking With the USB Nugget
In this workshop you’ll learn to write bad USB scripts to automate computer hacking using a cute, cat-themed hacking tool called the USB Nugget. You’ ll learn to write scripts to get computers of any operating system to do your bidding in seconds, and how to automate nearly any desired action remotely through its Wi-Fi interface. If you’ re looking for an introduction to USB hacking or simple scripting, but a little more spicy, this workshop is for you!
Learn Email Self-Defense: Hands-On GPG With GNU/Linux
Greg Farough, Heshan de Silva-Weeramuni
This is a hands-on workshop where participants learn to use GPG for email encryption, facilitated by the Free Software Foundation (FSF). Participants will help improve the FSF email self-d efense guide through real-time feedback. By the end of the workshop, you will not only be able to send encrypted email to friends and family, but also help teach others the skills of email self-defense and protecting yourself from bulk surveillance.
Lockpick Village With Lockpick Extreme
Christine Bachman, Daniel Finegold, Bob Hermes
Locks are puzzles you can solve without the key! Explore the fun world of locksport with Lockpick Extreme. Learn to lockpick from friendly instructors or practice what you already know with their assortment of locks and picks. When you’re done, you can shop at the pop-up shop and take your new hobby home with you.
Lockpicking 101: A Puzzle in the Dark
Lockpicking is a crucial skill for both cybersecurity professionals and hobbyist hackers. Like solving a puzzle in the dark, lockpicking challenges you to utilize subtle feedback from touch, sound, and spatial memory in order to open a lock. Whether you’ re performing a physical security test or exploring the mechanics of locks, it’s a powerful tool to have in your arsenal. It’s also a social hobby perfect for meeting new people at conferences or local locksport groups. This workshop gives you a solid foundation in how locks work, the tools involved, and the technique to pop your very first lock. Afterward, you’ ll get plenty of hands-on time to test your skills against a variety of different lock types. Are you ready to unlock this new skill?
Make Your Very Own IoT Cat Lamp With WLED
Want to create a beautiful, squishy, and cute Wi-Fi controllable cat lamp? In this workshop, you ’ll put together a “Purrsheen” cat-shaped Wi-Fi lamp that allows you to control your adorable cat baby via Wi-Fi or Home Assistant with WLED! This workshop will involve beginner-level soldering and assembly skills. Great for cat lovers and those looking to get into DIY IoT projects.
Mesh Nets for Hackers: How (And When) to Use Meshtastic, Meshcore, and Reticulum
Meshtastic is a long range, encrypted, off-grid mesh protocol that features many powerful modules, configurations, and settings. For beginners just getting started, it can be confusing to dive into these features! In this workshop, you’ ll explore the exciting modules that make Meshtastic more fun and useful. It will cover how to customize the encryption, add hardware like GPS and sensors, and change the default transmission settings to adapt to specific environments. Attendees will learn to customize their Meshtastic nodes for any situation using the built-in modules and settings. You ’ll also explore attacks against Meshtastic, and how to get involved in your local area!
Paper Popups
Explore the world of pop-ups! How can something 2D become 3D? Learn both the math and magic behind these folding paper sculptures. Take a break and build out a HOPE pop-up book. Participants will be empowered to set off into the exciting world of paper engineering.
Pegasus Detection and Analysis
Stephen Boriotti, Matthew Hopard, Gabriel Ruiz
This workshop will be using Amnesty International’s Mobile Verification Toolkit to see if your Android or iOS has been compromised by Pegasus. The workshop will open with a short talk on mobile spyware and general principles of communications security. To learn more about Pegasus, there are many videos, including: 60 Minutes Archive: “NSO Group’s Pegasus.” Note: The presenters of this workshop do not consent to mechanical recording of their presentation, but feel free to take notes.
Plicykling - Make the World a Better Place
Plicykling is the art of picking up litter while riding a bicycle without stopping or slowing down. Learn how to get started and get out there to make the world a better place while you get somewhere by bicycle! Plicykling is a hack! In what can only be described as an industrial strength weaponized fake corporate culture of control with an absolute emphasis on selfishness, plicykling is also effectively a random act of kindness machine, and if the deed is witnessed, it pokes holes in these bubbles we all seem to have encased ourselves in. It helps our inner lights shines a little brighter, which is something we all need right now.
Re-imagining Digital Security Training
Too many digital security trainings fail to create lasting change, not because the content lacks value, but because of how they’ re delivered. This participatory session re-imagines digital security education for community groups and activists by drawing on collective practitioner knowledge, critical pedagogy, neuroscience research on learning and retention, and cross-disciplinary teaching experience. This workshop will examine why participants often leave trainings overwhelmed, disconnected, or unable to apply what they’ ve learned, and explore alternative approaches that reduce cognitive overload, foster connection to content, and encourage critical thinking rather than compliance. Attendees will contribute to a shared analysis of what’s broken in current training models and leave with practical frameworks for designing more effective, engaging, and empowering security trainings. Trainers and facilitators of all experience levels are welcome.
Security Without Silos: Bridging Physical and Cyber Defense for Civil Society
Davis Erin Anderson, Kristin Antin, Tara Arthur
Civil society organizations face threats that don’t respect the boundary between physical and digital security - doxxing enables stalking, device confiscation enables account compromise, and a clinic blockade gets livestreamed and coordinated online - yet most organizations still manage these domains in separate silos. This hands-on tabletop workshop brings together practitioners from physical security, digital security, and the NGO sector to work through real-world scenarios where cyber and physical risks intersect, giving participants practice in cross-domain incident response and a shared framework and vocabulary for integrated security. The session is part of a broader initiative led by the Digital Security Collective focused on building integrated security practice across civil society.
Sensing the Hidden World of EMF
Join this workshop for a hands-on event where you’ ll create a device that gives you the power to hear the invisible fields that surround our everyday lives. Learn about how electromagnetic frequencies shape our world, where they come from, and how you can make your own in KiCad. This workshop involves soldering, interactive sonic exploration, and circuit design overview. It’ s geared to be accessible to absolute beginners, and serves as a great way to dive into the world of handbuilt electronics.
Soldering 101
Soldering is a hardware skill that all hackers should learn in order to bring their digital projects into the physical world. From modifying badge hardware at conferences to building custom projects, modifying your devices, and repairing your own gear, soldering transforms you from someone who just uses technology into someone who can physically reshape it. This workshop will guide you through building your own light-up badge, complete with the essential components you ’ll encounter throughout your soldering journey. You will learn the different tools, parts, and techniques you’ll need to confidently face the world of hardware.
True Crime: A Day in the Life of a Fraud Analyst!
This workshop will present a series of real world scenarios of what it’ s like to work on a fraud operations team. You will help analyze data and come up with solutions for detecting and mitigating fraudulent behaviors such as payment fraud, account creation fraud, and account takeover (ATO) across different industries. Anyone who is interested in this niche topic at the intersection of Cybersecurity and Trust and Safety is welcome to join. Laptops encouraged.
Wi-Fi Self Defense and Hacker Hunting for Beginners
This workshop offers hands-on instruction using a unique, cat-shaped Wi-Fi hacking microcontroller, the Wi-Fi Nugget. Designed to engage participants in practical learning, it covers essential skills for defending against four common yet powerful Wi-Fi attacks. Students will explore topics including detecting Wi-Fi leaks, the risks of QR codes leading to hidden networks, spotting phishing networks, and defending against advanced Wi-Fi karma attacks. The Wi-Fi Nugget is a powerful tool for understanding and fighting back against Wi-Fi hacking. This class is suitable for Wi-Fi hacking experts and those just getting started.