Janus Project PC can scan 300 WiFi networks at once

You've heard of black hat hackers and white hat hackers, but what about leather hat hackers? Meet the first: Kyle Williams. This creative genius has built the ultimate network hacking PC, the "Janus Project," which can focus its eight WiFi cards to break your standard WEP encryption in under five minutes. Beyond that, it can sniff 300 WiFi networks simultaneously, store and continuously encrypt all the data with AES 256-bit keys. In addition, the Janus Project has an instant off switch, which requires a USB key that has a 2000-bit passkey and a separate password to regain access. What's under the hood? Williams packed an Ubuntu Linux machine running on a 1.5GHz VIA C7 processor with an Acer 17-inch screen into that snazzy little rugged yellow box. Oh, and the closed case is waterproof too, in case you need to transport Janus Project on a whitewater raft to your next hacking hotspot. We don't doubt someone will.

[Via The Raw Feed]

[MT @ Oct 3rd 2008 4:41PM]

You wanna be's need to know that a "real" hacker doesn't do anything illegal. People that do things with their computers for illegal purposes are NOT considered to be "real" hackers in the technology world. If I remember correctly, then I believe "real" hackers call the illegal fellas "crackers". "Real" hackers use their powers for good and not evil.

[chip @ Aug 31st 2006 7:40AM]

that.. is.. AWESOME!
i WANT! NOW MOMMY, NOW! ;]

[John AH @ Aug 31st 2006 7:39AM]

Oh to have those sweet computer hacking skills.

[minorthreat @ Aug 31st 2006 8:06AM]

i made one of those ages ago

[srw985 @ Aug 31st 2006 9:18AM]

i want 1

[BLKMGK @ Aug 31st 2006 2:44PM]

Seen this box close up, it's pretty wel built IMO. He had it at DEFCON and was freely giving details as well as peeks at the innards. I cannot recall exactly what was under the hood but it was pretty tightly packed and not his first effort at this either. I'd liek more details on the WEP break in "5mins" claim though as simply having more antennas isn't going to make that happen faster. I'm aware you can tweak a network to create weak packets blah blah but 5mins seems awful fast. Once you have the data though it takes only seconds to whack it :-)

[Bill @ Aug 31st 2006 8:38AM]

So what does all of this wireless firepower provide?

[Tob3z @ Aug 31st 2006 8:43AM]

Thats a nice keyboard. Anyone got any ideas on what it is? Looks like an apple but I haven't seen one before

[Wizza @ Sep 24th 2006 10:10AM]

I am 99% certain that keyboard is a White I-Rocks X-SLIM Computer Keyboard

http://www.directron.com/ir6810mwh.html

[derrick @ Aug 31st 2006 8:42AM]

That's awesome. He looks kinda like the kid from Growing Pains.

[Mike @ Aug 31st 2006 8:54AM]

Now THAT is a hacking project worthy of recognition!

[Smeagol @ Aug 31st 2006 9:04AM]

Nice Mountain Dew product placement :- )

[iptydafu @ Aug 31st 2006 9:14AM]

[re:Tob3z] speedlink crystal keyboard

[Rick @ Aug 31st 2006 9:25AM]

Janus was the nickname of the decryption box in the movie Sneakers...FYI

[teo @ Aug 31st 2006 9:36AM]

@Rick,
That's probably what it was named for, but Janus was also the two headed god in Roman mythology.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janus_%28mythology%29

[Shunnabunich @ Aug 31st 2006 10:00AM]

"We don't doubt someone will."

Exactly! Like James Bond! Except his would be disguised as, like, his tie or something.

[Robert Russell @ Aug 31st 2006 10:21AM]

is'nt hacking illegal

[swarthy_pirate @ Aug 31st 2006 10:11AM]

re: Thats a nice keyboard. Anyone got any ideas on what it is? Looks like an apple but I haven't seen one before

[re:Tob3z] speedlink crystal keyboard

I believe its a Kensington for mac. we have black ones at work for pc. they have low tactile feel...

http://us.kensington.com/html/5463.html

[RacetrackOwner @ Aug 31st 2006 10:16AM]

"in case you need to transport Janus Project on a whitewater raft to your next hacking hotspot"

Sure, as if anybody interested in 1337 custom-built WiFi hacking hardware spends any time outdoors.

[uhhhrr? @ Aug 31st 2006 10:33AM]

yo i just totally hacked into your moms computer and found pictures of you sleeping with your girlfriend. aren't you totally creeped out?

[Pinkerton @ Aug 31st 2006 10:55AM]

He has a bright future working as a snoop for the government.

[Kyle @ Aug 31st 2006 6:50PM]

8 wifi cards... I was afraid to get cancer from one.

[CJ @ Aug 31st 2006 11:20AM]

wow... I could leech off any one of my neightbors anytime I want to with something like this soooo cool :-)

[_man1c_ @ Aug 31st 2006 11:27AM]

have that Linux distro.. :O although dont have the skills to do that though... :(

[Obscura @ Aug 31st 2006 11:57AM]

I'm going to build my next computer in a pelican caese.

[Sam Jackson @ Aug 31st 2006 12:16PM]

We're not worthy. Kyle, if you ever read this, seriously I'm jealous. Good job.

[KIb @ Aug 31st 2006 12:27PM]

The case looks like an Otterbox 3500.

http://www.otterbox.com/products/otterbox/3500/index.htm

[macstibs @ Aug 31st 2006 12:33PM]

The case looks like an Otterbox 3500.
http://www.otterbox.com/products/otterbox/3500/index.htm

8"x4"x3.5"

with a 17" lcd?

NOT
BLOODY
LIKELY

[Pfft @ Aug 31st 2006 12:40PM]

Wasn't Janus also the name of the cloning project in JUDGE DREDD?

[Skip @ Aug 31st 2006 1:16PM]

Its a Peli case

[kelly @ Aug 31st 2006 1:20PM]

this is underwhelming to say the least. congratulations, you built a case around a PC to do something people have been doing for years. nice k-fed look btw.

[mike @ Aug 31st 2006 2:12PM]

hey, that's my friend in real life! haha!

[snapa @ Sep 1st 2006 5:55PM]

I bet you could hack the Gibson with that.

[F. @ Aug 31st 2006 3:27PM]

The link to the original article:

http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/08/30/defcon2006_janus_project/

The case is a Pelican. They keyboard is whatever was on sale for around $10 that day (the box is gone so I don't know who made it). I know what the project was named for, but I'll let you discuss it among yourselves. It's more entertaining that way.

How do I know all this? I'm married to one of the co-creators.

[kelly @ Aug 31st 2006 3:06PM]

the feds cracked 128bit WEP in 3 minutes at ISSA last year with publically available tools and a couple laptops. they said 5-10 minutes is common.

http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2005/03/31/the_feds_can_own_your_wlan_too/

[anonymouse @ Aug 31st 2006 3:30PM]

VIA C7 EN15000G mainboard, two routerboard PCI to 4xminiPCI adapters, 8 x CM9 atheros abg radios, 2 x teletronics 1W 2.4Ghz amplifiers.

http://s103.photobucket.com/albums/m127/coderman42/?action=view¤t=janusbox.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch3

http://s103.photobucket.com/albums/m127/coderman42/?action=view¤t=janusbox-dev.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch2

[Danny P @ Sep 8th 2006 1:54PM]

Tob3z, its an ITWorks KC-6130W keyboard, im typing on it now. £20 from comet

[PeteC @ Aug 31st 2006 4:10PM]

Man, he has used Ubuntu to get 8 Wifi cards running and do this. I still can't get my one to work in Ubuntu! Fairplay though, this must be of interest to CID, MI5 the FBI and every other bloody 3 lettered acronym for someone who likes to snoop in other people businessm, surely they'll cough up to get him to help them make one of these or at least bundle him into the back of a car, steal if off him and replace his memory with that of a chicken.

[Skon @ Aug 31st 2006 4:32PM]

I'd just like to see a mid to high end system built into the smallest available Zero Halliberton (www.zerohalliburton.com) alluminum breif case. It should also come with wireless keyboard, mouse, bluetooth headset with Voip, with the lid being being the screen and the bottom half after takeing out the kB, Mouse & headset being a graphics tablet.. or even better a second screen and have the 2nd one be a touchscreen. Also the very top of the lid on the inside above the screen should have a web cam and microphone setup. And last of all have the base of the Halliburton Case when closed & standing upright have a hole drilled in it the right size for a projector lens. That way when it's laying on a desk with the lid open or closed you could have a built in projector. Of course the lens should have an metal iris type powered cover that closes when you turn off the projector. All in all the unit should have a minumum run time of 12 hours on the battery (like some of the Panasonic sub-note's claim) and should be under 3lbs total weight. These are just the base spec's.... if anyone want's to do a qoute for me on this I get them more details on some of the more complex things needed in it. ;-) LOL I wish I could get a unit like that.

[Neil @ Aug 31st 2006 7:07PM]

looks like a Pelican 1520 case. great cases

http://www.pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1520

[Andrew @ Aug 31st 2006 7:18PM]

The death penalty for hacking? Are you some kind of psycho? How do you think the government spies on people (for example Bush's illegal wire tapping)? Wire taps are essentially phone hacks. For starters, what makes hacking an offense punishable by death? Computers aren't secure, and if anyone has anything they want to keep safe they shouldn't keep it on a computer that's possibly going to be connected to the Internet at some point in time. The Internet is about as safe as a back alley abortion clinic. But wait... Most people who believe in the death penalty these days are also pro-life. If you don't feel safe with hackers running around then simply don't use the Internet. I promise you that just like terrorists, you're never going to catch enough hackers to make a difference without screwing things up for everyone else.

[Ed Beck @ Aug 31st 2006 8:27PM]

i only need two words:

kick & ass

[James Bishop @ Aug 31st 2006 10:50PM]

"...you're never going to catch enough hackers to make a difference without screwing things up for everyone else....

I dunno. Tell us where you are, and we've caught you!

It's a start.

Hackers should die.

[tekdroid @ Sep 1st 2006 1:39PM]

Killer.
I knew there was a reason I never trusted wireless. Improve wireless :)

[soumynona @ Sep 2nd 2006 1:50AM]

Or a banks ATM and have it spit money into the street.

8 wireless cards, hope you mailed in all the rebates

[simon @ Sep 2nd 2006 10:27PM]

well, encript that WiFi on wep+mac limitation and try again to crack-it :) lost hopes + try never to use as a key first one, set 4 up and swich on them o regular bases, makes that kind of hacking a time waist to wit's end :)

[Sirus20x6 @ Sep 2nd 2006 6:48AM]

Serioulsy I need to build this thing

[Rich @ Sep 2nd 2006 10:06AM]

This creative genius has built the ultimate network hacking PC...

Ultimate? So there will be no more after this one?

Nice box, anyway!

[bpc @ Sep 2nd 2006 10:52AM]

@Rick
Dude, you obviously haven't watched Sneakers enough. The little black box is only called just that: "little black box." It's creator, Dr. Gunter Janek, has a name that sounds kind of like Janus, except not.

[Nick @ Sep 2nd 2006 11:02AM]

I have two words also...

So so...

This really isn't that special. You are hard pressed to ever be in range of 50 wireless networks at any given time, and 300? Please! By the time the world reaches the point of being that densly packed with wireless networks i'm sure they will have developed wireless cards with 8, 16 or 32 cores built in. Don't they already have some that use dual core to speed up existing 802.11b/g? Why do people get accolades for using existing technology as it was intended? If he had gotten those wireless network card to do something new that would be different.

I will give him some kudos on the case mod. It's pretty sweet!