DEF CON 33 - RF Village - Small Packet of Bits That Can Save or Destabilize a City - Manuel Rabid
Source: YouTube · DEFCONConference · published Oct 22, 2025 · 46:38
This presentation explores how emergency alert systems work and their potential vulnerabilities 0:10. Manuel Rabad explains how wireless alert systems can save or destabilize cities through technical analysis and personal journey.
Key Takeaways:
• Mexico City's seismic alert system was developed after the 1985 earthquake and uses radio signals to provide warnings before seismic waves hit the city 7:01
• The EAS/SAME system in the US transmits alerts using AFSK modulation with simple digital protocols that can be decoded with basic equipment 22:42
• Technical analysis shows these systems lack security features - anyone with proper equipment can potentially generate false alert signals 26:57
• Emergency alert systems balance accessibility with security vulnerabilities, as adding encryption could potentially make them less reliable when lives are at stake 40:45
The presentation demonstrates how understanding these critical systems can lead to both improved public safety and potential security risks 45:01.
Sources:
- 0:10 Introduction to systems that can save or destabilize cities
- 7:01 Development of Mexican seismic alert system after 1985 earthquake
- 22:42 Explanation of EAS/SAME system and protocols
- 26:57 Technical details of SAME protocol and its simplicity
- 40:45 Security vulnerabilities and improvement areas
- 45:01(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C-_TaYht68&t=2701
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First 800 characters of the transcript
Well, uh, hello everybody. My name is Manuel Rabad and well, I am going to present a small pocket of bits that can save or destabilize a city. Uh, thank you very much for coming in. So, yeah, I'm I'm I'm very happy to to present this. Uh so what we are going to see we're going to talk about the the systems that sends alerts uh before danger uh using wireless methods. Uh so we are going to to explore how they work uh their limitations and and well um why everybody can generate these signals um and and well this this top this talk is not only only technical it's also about my my journey um into into this kind of projects and well what I consider to be like the the core of hacking like the the curiosity to understand how things work, explore their their boundaries and and share that informati…