# 038 - My Favorite Random Number is 5

- Show: [Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast)
- Published: 2020-08-23
- Length: 1h 15m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-08-23-038-my-favorite-random-number-is-5
- Listen: https://unnamedre.com/episode/38

## Summary

Colin O'Flynn, founder of NewAE Technology, explains how differential power analysis (DPA) and fault injection allow attackers to recover cryptographic keys from embedded devices by measuring minute power variations or disrupting clock/voltage signals. He details the mechanics of side-channel attacks, the importance of random number generation, and the limitations of 'military grade' encryption claims. O'Flynn also discusses his open-source tool ChipWhisperer, electromagnetic fault injection hardware like BADFET, and the broader industry challenges in securing IoT devices against such physical attacks.

## Chapters

- [0:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-08-23-038-my-favorite-random-number-is-5#t=28) Introduction and Colin O'Flynn's Background
- [7:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-08-23-038-my-favorite-random-number-is-5#t=433) Differential Power Analysis Mechanics
- [29:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-08-23-038-my-favorite-random-number-is-5#t=1793) Fault Injection and Glitching Techniques
- [37:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-08-23-038-my-favorite-random-number-is-5#t=2278) Electromagnetic Fault Injection Hardware
- [49:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-08-23-038-my-favorite-random-number-is-5#t=2946) Open Source Tools: ChipWhisperer and ChipSHOUTER
- [55:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-08-23-038-my-favorite-random-number-is-5#t=3344) IoT Security Challenges and Muddy Waters Research

## Topics

- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- NewAE Technology (company)
- ChipWhisperer (product)
- BADFET (product)
- ChipSHOUTER (product)
- PhyWhisperer-USB (product)
- LUNA Project (product)
- OpenVizla (product)
- Beagle480 (product)
- Segger J-Trace (tool)
- Orbuculum (tool)
- Muddy Waters Research (company)
- Atmel (company)
- Microchip (company)
- Paul Kocher (other)
- Travis Goodspeed (other)
- Kate Temkin (other)
- Swanstrom Tools (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [286: Twenty Cans of Gas (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-11-12-286-twenty-cans-of-gas-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [286: Twenty Cans of Gas](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-04-18-286-twenty-cans-of-gas) (Embedded.fm)
- [An Interview with Colin O'Flynn - Aspirated Adamantine Attacks](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-03-05-an-interview-with-colin-oflynn-aspirated-adamantine-attacks) (The Amp Hour)
- [Shouting at chips with Colin O'Flynn](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-08-02-shouting-at-chips-with-colin-oflynn) (The Amp Hour)
- [524: This Isn't a Movie](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-04-16-524-this-isnt-a-movie) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-08-23-038-my-favorite-random-number-is-5. 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 Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast.