Hardware hacking is a very intriguing and physical genre of hacking. You get to work with your hands to pull apart real pieces of equipment to find minute flaws. It’s a diverse field that attracts hackers of all backgrounds, including those who never thought they could do something as cool and technical as hacking. Whether you’re examining a simple microcontroller board or a complex kiosk system, having the right tools and knowledge is crucial. This guide provides you tips on how to set up a basic hardware hacking lab.
Essential Tools for Your Lab
Not only is it easy to get started in hardware hacking but it’s also affordable. Once that first payout hits, go ahead and splurge on high-end tools. But for now, you don’t need anything fancy. Below is a list of essentials for your kit:
Workspace Setup
Start by getting a cutting mat. It provides an organized, protected surface for your work. Disassembling, cutting, smoldering, and gluing can quickly result in a lot of mess and even damaged surfaces. These mats are cheap, come in a variety of sizes, and can be purchased at any craft/art store.
Disassembly Tools
Consider an interchangeable screwdriver set with security bits, Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)-safe tweezers, and flush trimmers. It’s a guarantee that almost any device you come across will feature some form of fastener that joins objects together. Nails, screws, bolts, nuts, washers, pins, and clips are all examples of fasteners that require a basic disassembly tool to deal with.
Inspection Tools
Magnifying glasses come in all shapes and sizes and are necessary to see itty-bitty text and small components. No matter how good your eyesight, you’ll appreciate the help. Search for a jeweler’s loupe with a light. There are many options available, so read the reviews. Not all are created equal.
Electrical Testing
Printed circuit boards, or PCBs, are found in most electronic devices and are vital to their operation. They are compact (sometimes hard to reach) and made of plastic, resin, or glass fiber with copper etchings on top designed to facilitate semiconductor communication at high data rates. While working on a device, you’ll want to check the voltage, follow traces, and check pinouts, especially if chip identifiers have been removed. Multimeters range in price; the more expensive ones do more, but you can get by with a basic one that checks for voltage, continuity, and current.
Soldering Equipment
Soldering is where it gets fun (depending on your level of aversion to burns). The tip of high-thermal-output soldering irons can reach 400 degrees Celsius. Not only can these cause nasty burns, but they will also quickly damage wires and equipment if you’re not paying attention. Don’t sweat it. With practice and some simple safety precautions (e.g., don’t leave a soldering iron unattended), you’ll be a pro in no time.
Simply put, soldering is a process of melting metal at a low temperature to join two other pieces of material together. It’s important to gain experience in this because you’ll need soldering skills to join electronic circuits, wires, leads, panels, and much more.
It used to be that even basic soldering irons cost a pretty penny, but now you can get high-quality ones at affordable prices. The Pine64 PINECIL or Miniware are great options. Choosing the right soldering tip is very important. These can be split into two categories: chisel/bevel tips for general use and fine conical tips for small components. A wrong or poorly made tip can misplace heat and destroy your device. Most soldering irons will come with a tip, but you may find it beneficial to purchase several additional ones that meet your more specific needs.
Here are a few extra soldering accessories you’ll want:
- Solder wire—we recommend a thin, 60/40 rosin core for small connections.
- Soldering braid to vacuum up excess solder
- A flux pen is critical for cleaning your tip prior to soldering. This will create clean solder joints.
- Isopropyl alcohol (70–90%) and an old toothbrush for cleaning excess flux
- Again, ESD-safe tweezers. Touching hot things hurts the fingies.
Rounding Out Your Tool Kit
You’re just shy of the finish line. We recommend just a few more things to round out your tool kit:
- Kapton tape is a great protective layer for your electronic components when you’re soldering.
- Solid core hookup wire (26–30 AWG) is super easy to use and fits most easily into the tiny spaces in PCBs.
- Enamel-coated wire is useful for precision work.
- Pin headers facilitate connection between wires and cables. Having extra in your kit will come in handy.
Getting Started
Get your hands in there and get started. The only way to gain experience in the hardware hacking realm is by, well, breaking things. Gain practical knowledge by finding some old electronics and disassembling them. We consider e-waste to be excellent, nothing-to-lose sources of practice. Try to find electronics with development boards. Begin with platforms like RP2040, Raspberry Pi, or Arduino (ESP varieties) to learn about general-purpose input/output (GPIO) and basic hardware interactions. By taking apart electronics, you’ll soon familiarize yourself with common electronic components like circuitry, platforms, protocols, and fasteners.
Once you’ve gotten your hands dirty, dive into research. Study up on protocols. Common communication protocols like UART, SPI, and I2C are used in hardware devices. Familiarizing yourself with these protocols will not only help you understand the ins and outs of hardware devices but will also allow you to be much more efficient with your time.
We recommend that you explore a variety of devices. Start broad and then narrow your focus. Identify what you’re interested in and better at testing before investing in specialized tools.
Lastly, practice soldering! Start with simple projects to improve your technique. You’ll be an expert in no time.
Expanding Your Lab
As you progress in skill and experience, consider adding these tools based on your specific needs:
- USB to TTL converter for working with serial ports
- Variable power supply
- Specialized tools like the Burtleina-Board or Tigard
Remember: It’s better to build your tool kit gradually based on the projects you undertake rather than investing in tools you may never use.
Learning Resources
There are countless online videos and tutorials on soldering techniques, component identification, and device specifications. Research and study, but don’t forget that practical experience is key—start with simple projects and gradually tackle more complex hardware hacking challenges.
This basic lab will get you moving in the right direction. You’ll be well-equipped to explore the exciting world of hardware hacking in no time. For more advice from top hackers, keep an eye on our LevelUp series and follow us on our socials. Happy hunting!