It’s been a long time since I’ve seen as much enthusiasm for a technological product as for the Pinball Zero.
This $170 “portable toy-like multi-tool for pentesters and geeks” lets you explore RFID and radio protocols, as well as debug hardware using GPIO pins . All in your pocket.
I posted my first impressions of the Pinball Zero yesterday, and I’ve been bombarded with questions ever since. Here I will do my best to answer the most frequently asked questions about Pinball Zero.
Important Note: don’t mess with hardware and Wi-Fi networks that you don’t own or have permission to work with! You could be in big trouble.
Does Flipper Zero allow you to hack anything and everything?
After a few weeks of use, I have to say I’m impressed with what this handheld tool can do.
It allows me to read, copy and emulate NFC/RFID/IR remotes, and sub-GHz wireless signals with ease. That’s a lot of power in a small tool.
But don’t get carried away. If there are limits to what the tool can do, a quick search on the web or a look at YouTube will give you a good idea.
Is Pinball Zero worth its price?
If you buy it new, in the official store, it is worth 170 dollars. But third-party sellers sell it for two or three times more. For some, it’s nothing. For others, it’s a lot. As to whether the game is worth the candle, it all depends on the point of view.
For that price, it’s hard to buy anything else that can do what the Pinball Zero can do. If you want something for experimenting with NFC, RFID, and sub-GHz wireless networks, this is an all-in-one tool. The GPIO outputs are also great if you like to play with hardware. It also gives you the ability to perform BadUSB attacks on devices.
But where I see the main power of Flipper Zero is less about hacking and more about exploring. Pinball Zero is an awesome learning tool, and you’ll learn along the way. What can you learn? How GitHub works, how to download and install firmware, how to flash hardware, what the different network and wireless protocols are and how they work, and how to work with GPIO – to get started.
Can I clone bank cards, manipulate infrastructure or get money out of ATMs with Pinball Zero?
I hate to tell you this, but 95% of what you see on TikTok and Instagram is fake. These videos were created by people looking for their five seconds of fame.
And that’s a big negative for the Pinball Zero. These videos convey the wrong idea of what is possible. In the end, this may lead to a situation where for every 10 Pinball Zero purchased, nine end up being resold or forgotten in a drawer.
But for the 10% who hang on, Pinball Zero could be the first step on a long learning path, which could lead to a career in the tech world.
Can Pinball Zero hack Wi-Fi networks?
Yes, but not directly.
Pinball Zero and a Wi-Fi dev board. Image: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET.
First, you need a dedicated Wi-Fi development board for Pinball Zero. Then you’ll need to flash the Wi-Fi card’s firmware, install new firmware on Pinball Zero, figure out what to do when things don’t work, and then learn how it all works.
Then you can use a tool called Wi-Fi Marauder which will give you access to a bunch of wireless tools.
Performing a Wi-Fi RickRoll “attack”. Image: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET.
The RickRoll attack creates many WI-FI SSIDs whose names are lyrics from Rick Astley’s famous song. Image: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET.
But there are no shortcuts to go faster. Each step takes time, learning, and some effort on your part.
Is it the best tool to learn pentesting / hacking?
It’s fine to boot, and the Pinball Zero is far less intimidating (and cheaper) than other devices. You could download and install Kali Linux, get an ALFA AWUS036ACH Dual Band Wireless USB Wi-Fi Adapter (you need it because it supports advanced features like monitor mode and injection), then learn how to use Linux.
This will give you a lot more power than Flipper, but the learning curve is also a lot steeper.
Can objects be damaged with Pinball Zero?
Yes. Not permanently (well, I haven’t…yet) but devices can stop working properly.
I’ve had my Flipper Zero for a few weeks and crashed my router’s Wi-Fi, temporarily stopped a car’s virtual key from working properly (which could have meant a trip to the garage if I didn’t know how to fix the problem), and I drove an AC crazy using the IR remote.
This is why you should not touch objects that do not belong to you or with which you do not have permission to work.
Where can I buy a Pinball Zero?
The official site is regularly updated. But if you’re in a hurry and are willing to pay full price, many sellers offer to resell their own Pinball Zero.
If it’s the Wi-Fi development board you want, it’s pretty easy to find.
For further
Pinball Zero: toy for geeks or real cybersecurity tool?
Source: ZDNet.com