I want to share some knowledge on hacking cheap, old, defunct IoT/Networking hardware.
This is the beginning on getting started. But first, why? The short answer is it’s fun. It’s the ability to mess with things that wasn’t meant for the typical user to access. You can also make it do other things like turning it into a file server, making it run better software to access more settings and so on.
Lets cover some tools. You don’t have to break the bank for tools with this. All you need is some basic tools and a computer.
Wire strippers, I prefer the Milwaukee 10-24 AWG strippers, it’s cheaper from HomeDepot (327563639).
DM-30-1000 Wire Wrapping Wire
Soldering iron, You can get a cheap one or if you plan to use it for assortments of projects then get a Pinecil.
2.54mm Headers.
USB to TTL adapter.
Bench power supply.
Multi-Meter (Harbor freight special).
Screw Drivers.
As you progress you can get better tools. These tools I listed work fine for the beginner and professional.
Now I am not telling you to grab say a Amazon Echo and hack it. They are too harden to break into. However there are old and cheap Chinese devices like routers, storage solutions, CCTV, and even kids toys that run Linux on the backend and just tapping into the TTL output can give you a access prompt. I recommend as a first try is a Pogo Plug. It was a cloud based storage solution but is now defunct and you can easily modify them. They’re dirt cheap on eBay.
With the PogoPlug you can enable SSH, add a SATA drive (Some models) and update busybox to have more commands and features. Basically turning it into a SBC without the GPIO options.
On the next Hardware Hacking post I’ll talk about how to find the TTL Serial port on a device.