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Security at a Las Vegas hotel that hosts many DEF CON attendees is searching rooms specifically for hacking tools such as Flipper Zeroes, WiFi Pineapples and soldering kits, according to a copy of security briefings seen by 404 Media.
The document provides more detail about what security at Resorts World sees as potentially malicious items. When 404 Media first reported the room searches last week, the hotel explicitly linked the increased security measures to the ransomware attacks on MGM Resorts and Caesars last year.
“Housekeeping and Security will be tasked with conducting daily room checks on all guest rooms,” the document reads. The document states that the Housekeeping Assistant Director will print out a daily list of rooms for people who have booked stays through the DEF CON group block, which includes more than 1,000 rooms at peak conference time.
Two pages of the documents contain “HACKING TOOLS TO WATCH FOR”. These include the Flipper Zero, a portable device that can be loaded with a variety of different tools, including one for spamming iOS devices with a Bluetooth related pop-up. Another page shows a WiFi Pineapple, which small devices the size of a router which can be used to set up illegal WiFi networks and intercept a target’s internet traffic.
A set of lockpicks is also shown in the documents, as well as a soldering set. Many of these items are common in and around DEF CON or hacking communities in general.
The document adds that security and IT have a Microsoft Teams group chat for Housekeeping to report suspicious activity. It also recommends that employees enable airplane mode on their devices.
“It is recommended that you enable Airplane Mode on your personal device, including your smartwatches, to disable your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular service,” the document reads.
Resorts World did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In an earlier statement, the hotel told 404 Media that “Resorts World Las Vegas is committed to ensuring a safe, secure and comfortable environment for all of our valued guests at all times. In light of recent events in Las Vegas and the increasing ransomware threats to casinos and hotels on the Strip, all guests staying at our property have been informed that we will be conducting brief, scheduled, visual and non-intrusive room inspections daily beginning Monday, August 5, 2024 and continuing for the next week.”
“These inspections are standard practice at many of Las Vegas’ top hotels, particularly during periods of heightened foreseeable risk where vigilance is paramount. These inspections are a precautionary measure intended to enhance our on-site security presence (both physical security and cybersecurity), maintain the integrity of our property’s services, and protect our guests, business partners and staff from potential cyberattack threats,” it continued.
“As always, our staff conducts these periodic safety inspections with the utmost respect for our guests’ privacy and convenience, following strict protocols to ensure minimal disruption to their stay,” the statement concluded.
The document provides more detail about what security at Resorts World sees as potentially malicious items. When 404 Media first reported the room searches last week, the hotel explicitly linked the increased security measures to the ransomware attacks on MGM Resorts and Caesars last year.
“Housekeeping and Security will be tasked with conducting daily room checks on all guest rooms,” the document reads. The document states that the Housekeeping Assistant Director will print out a daily list of rooms for people who have booked stays through the DEF CON group block, which includes more than 1,000 rooms at peak conference time.
Two pages of the documents contain “HACKING TOOLS TO WATCH FOR”. These include the Flipper Zero, a portable device that can be loaded with a variety of different tools, including one for spamming iOS devices with a Bluetooth related pop-up. Another page shows a WiFi Pineapple, which small devices the size of a router which can be used to set up illegal WiFi networks and intercept a target’s internet traffic.
A set of lockpicks is also shown in the documents, as well as a soldering set. Many of these items are common in and around DEF CON or hacking communities in general.
The document adds that security and IT have a Microsoft Teams group chat for Housekeeping to report suspicious activity. It also recommends that employees enable airplane mode on their devices.
“It is recommended that you enable Airplane Mode on your personal device, including your smartwatches, to disable your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular service,” the document reads.
Resorts World did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In an earlier statement, the hotel told 404 Media that “Resorts World Las Vegas is committed to ensuring a safe, secure and comfortable environment for all of our valued guests at all times. In light of recent events in Las Vegas and the increasing ransomware threats to casinos and hotels on the Strip, all guests staying at our property have been informed that we will be conducting brief, scheduled, visual and non-intrusive room inspections daily beginning Monday, August 5, 2024 and continuing for the next week.”
“These inspections are standard practice at many of Las Vegas’ top hotels, particularly during periods of heightened foreseeable risk where vigilance is paramount. These inspections are a precautionary measure intended to enhance our on-site security presence (both physical security and cybersecurity), maintain the integrity of our property’s services, and protect our guests, business partners and staff from potential cyberattack threats,” it continued.
“As always, our staff conducts these periodic safety inspections with the utmost respect for our guests’ privacy and convenience, following strict protocols to ensure minimal disruption to their stay,” the statement concluded.
