# An Interview with Samy Kamkar

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2016-07-22
- Length: 1h 23m
- Episode: 308
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-07-22-an-interview-with-samy-kamkar
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/308-an-interview-with-samy-kamkar/

## Summary

Samy Kamkar, an independent security researcher, discusses his journey from hacking Counter-Strike and MySpace to creating hardware exploits like Roll Jam and MagSpoof. He details how he used off-the-shelf components like the Raspberry Pi, Teensy, and TI CC1101 to demonstrate vulnerabilities in drones, car key fobs, and credit card systems. Kamkar emphasizes the importance of open-source hardware and low-cost tools like the Yardstick One and Proxmark in making security research accessible, while highlighting the growing security risks of IoT devices.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-07-22-an-interview-with-samy-kamkar#t=0) Introduction: Samy Kamkar's Background and Early Hacking
- [9:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-07-22-an-interview-with-samy-kamkar#t=562) The MySpace Worm and Legal Consequences
- [16:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-07-22-an-interview-with-samy-kamkar#t=1006) Transition to Hardware Security and Drones
- [26:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-07-22-an-interview-with-samy-kamkar#t=1571) Reverse Engineering LEDs and RFID
- [44:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-07-22-an-interview-with-samy-kamkar#t=2658) Roll Jam: Attacking Car Key Fobs
- [58:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-07-22-an-interview-with-samy-kamkar#t=3519) MagSpoof and Credit Card Vulnerabilities
- [1:15:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-07-22-an-interview-with-samy-kamkar#t=4543) IoT Security Risks and Future Challenges

## Topics

- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- MySpace (product)
- Counter-Strike (product)
- Raspberry Pi (chip)
- Teensy (chip)
- TI CC1101 (chip)
- Yardstick One (tool)
- Proxmark (tool)
- MagSpoof (product)
- Roll Jam (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [041 - What did you fail at this week?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-11-07-041-what-did-you-fail-at-this-week) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [065 - Multitalented Grinch](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2023-07-30-065-multitalented-grinch) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [071 - Snerd Niped](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2024-09-07-071-snerd-niped) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [100: Unintentional Radiator](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-06-100-unintentional-radiator) (Embedded.fm)
- [053 - It's Hammer Time!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2021-12-16-053-its-hammer-time) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-07-22-an-interview-with-samy-kamkar. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Amp Hour.