Stocking Stuffers For Happy Hacking
Find that perfect gift for your co-workers and much-loved white hats without breaking the bank.
December 15, 2014
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Whether you're looking for a little gift for a security team co-worker or you would like to fill the stocking of your geeky loved one, there's no reason to fall back on boring old candy or subpar booze. Instead, bring as much creativity to the task as your recipient would in pen testing a work site or researching vulnerabilities. The following trinkets and goodies are perfect for the tinkerers, experimenters, and pranksters who make up the lively IT security community.
Ghost Pepper Balls, $10
Since just about all hackers have more than a little rascal in 'em, we'd be remiss if we didn't include a gift that would be excellent for pranking, daring, and other hijinks. These little fireballs pack a huge wallop in the spicy category.
Sugru, $12
Sugru is all about fixing, attaching, and improving. These little packets come in a variety of colors and convenient single-use portions. Whether you're looking to mount a WiFi device to your cat's collar, make a cushy grip for a socket wrench, or tweak the design of your 3D printer, Sugru is your limitless solution.
Soldering Iron, $11.39
Honestly, how do people get by without a soldering iron? It's great for reverse engineering a card reader or fixing that cruddy old lamp so that it'll use color LEDs. This kit features a 30-watt iron with a safety stand and a couple of specialty attachments.
Lock Pick Kit, $12
When probing virtual security gets boring, it might be time to go old school. You get a wide assortment of picks and four tension tools, all with nice molded plastic handles. However, you'll have to supply your own mustache and pursuing attack dogs for the full Magnum PI experience.
Raspberry Pi, $35
It's a proven scientific fact that it's impossible to have more fun than this for less than 40 bucks. It's a pocket full of Linux, complete with GPIO with 40-pin header, two USB 2.0 ports, and MicroSD. The B+ is the perfect tool for assimilating yourself into the Internet of Things in whatever way you can dream up.
Helping Hands Magnifying Glass, $6.26
Alligator clips, a great big magnifying glass, and a retro black metal base -- do I have your attention yet? This classic mounted magnifier is perfect for getting a closer look at whatever kind of junk you happen to be taking apart or soldering at the moment. And even if it never figures into a project of yours, it still looks kind of cool just sitting on your desk.
Aerogel, $6
Did you know that you could buy 120 cubic centimeters of straight-up magic dust for only six bucks? It's the lightest known solid, an incredible insulator used aboard the Pathfinder Rover to protect delicate electronics from the harsh Martian climate. Was it truly developed by NASA, or did our government secretly find a bunch of it in Roswell, NM? Do your own experiments and find out yourself.
Flora, $21.49
Forget Google Glass and the iWatch. Cobble together your own wearable, starting at about $20. The Flora has dozens of modules and accessories, from stainless steel threads you can sew into fabric to LED pixel displays. How versatile is the Flora? Online, you'll find a tutorial for creating a Star Wars-themed playable Theremin bra. That's a bunch of words I bet you never thought you'd see together in the same sentence.
Smart Mass Thinking Putty, $15
Imagine Silly Putty meets The Toxic Avenger. It's bouncy, stretchy, and sticky, and one variation even glows in the dark. Smart Mass putty is the perfect thing to help get through conference calls or other torturous wastes of time. Opt for the magnetic version, and watch it spread out toward any nearby magnet, eventually enveloping it. It will even lift comics off the newspaper, though you're advised not to try it on web comics, unless Santa is also bringing you a new monitor.
Maker Shed Gift Certificate, $10+
The official store of Make:, Maker Shed is a toy store for grownups -- curious, creative, often destructive grownups. Here you'll find handheld drones, 3D printers, and everything you need to get started in electronics, robotics, and many (or most) other -otics. Get a jumpstart on your special geeks' creativity by making them pick out their own darn gift.
Maker Shed Gift Certificate, $10+
The official store of Make:, Maker Shed is a toy store for grownups -- curious, creative, often destructive grownups. Here you'll find handheld drones, 3D printers, and everything you need to get started in electronics, robotics, and many (or most) other -otics. Get a jumpstart on your special geeks' creativity by making them pick out their own darn gift.
Whether you're looking for a little gift for a security team co-worker or you would like to fill the stocking of your geeky loved one, there's no reason to fall back on boring old candy or subpar booze. Instead, bring as much creativity to the task as your recipient would in pen testing a work site or researching vulnerabilities. The following trinkets and goodies are perfect for the tinkerers, experimenters, and pranksters who make up the lively IT security community.
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