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Phoenix666 [soylentnews.org] writes:

Not every demo at security cons goes off without a hitch: Badass hackers Ryan and Jeremy electrocuted themselves when building what could have been the first device capable of wirelessly exploiting door-opening push buttons [theregister.co.uk].

The pair demonstrated the trial and terror process of building the box at the Kiwicon hacking event in New Zealand last Friday.

Before its insides dissolved due to extreme heat, the device it was capable of activating the push buttons that open doors to allow egress from secure buildings - but from the outside of that building.

Ryan and Jeremy's beefed-up electromagnet is the latest in a niche line of research which would allow attackers to enter buildings by using the devices to unlock the push-button door controls.

"I guess they really are touch-to-enter buttons," Jeremy told the 2,000 laughing hackers at the Michael Fowler centre, Wellington.

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