Ok, so my kid likes video games, perhaps a bit too much. He'll often wake up early to play games when he shouldn't, and it makes him tired out for the day. We could hide the Switch, or set up parental controls, but since he also likes computers, I thought it would be fun to keep the Switch in a safe that is hackable. So he'd have to overcome this interesting challenge if he wants to play the Switch.
Ideally, the safe can be programmed via a linux console to set up different kinds of challenges.
The only problem is, I am not sure how to set up this hackable safe. Are there any products out there for this? How would I go about making this?
Yes, it's a very niche thing to be talking about... so I'll reward a bounty to anyone who gives me some good ideas!
First of all, I'm not a parent nor does my mom allow me having a girlfriend.
Secondly, Hackable safe? I don't think any retailer would provide you a "hackable" one which is contrary to its name but I do have a few tweaks in mind.
You can have Pwngotchi here that I use to practice WiFi sniffing and WPA cracking. This is a Raspberry Pi Zero W-based AI that learns WiFi hacking. My one looks like this
You could adapt a safe lock (servo + latch) controlled via a Pi running Pwnagotchi or similar firmware. You can find youtube tutorials and I can help you too.
On the other hand, I have an even better idea 😋, DIY!
The core idea: use a microcontroller or single-board computer to control a lock, and require some form of hack to unlock it.
Basic Materials:
Optional: display panel or LEDs for feedback
You can setup demo challenges like a quest board:
Upon solving, writes
HIGHto GPIO to trigger servo unlock.Can be taught via online CTFs (HackTheBox)
He must capture the handshake and crack it to get the unlock code.
You can ask @ek for such security exploitation ideas, I can help you build the Pi circuit and simulate CTFs.
So many great ideas, thanks!!
you're welcome!
Use a normal keypad safe whose code you can change.
Every day, post a puzzle whose solution is the code to the safe. It's a lot more flexible than a safe that he hacks once and is done with.
You can also vary the puzzle's difficulty by his level. So start off easy (57 x 23) and get harder (what's the last olympics whose year was also a square number?)
Or if that's too math-y, you can do something like "A hacker left a note in ASCII: 50 48 48 48. Decode the values to find the 4-digit number"
Yeah, i might end up doing it this way as it's a simpler lift. I just thought it would be cool if the device you're hacking into can be used to control the lock directly.
Cool idea!
You could use a Raspberry Pi to control a servo that then unlocks something like in this video:
view on www.youtube.comYou can program the RPi with a Linux console to only unlock when a challenge was solved.
For challenges, depending on the age of your kid, you could try to setup a few from https://overthewire.org/ on the RPi.
Awesome! Also, thanks for the link, I'm always looking for accessible hacking games. I had been using picoctf.org and tryhackme.com mainly, before this.
Does it have to be a safe?
Can you just set up a puzzle for him to solve and then he can play his switch?
I know they make many puzzles, especially little brain teaser puzzles and finger puzzles.
Haha, the problem is that he's waking up early to play, while we're still sleeping.
He already has unlimited access to a linux terminal with browser disabled and no games, so the thinking is that he can wake up and use the terminal to try and crack the safe if he wants access to the Switch.
Why dont you just talk to him and set some ground rules?
We do try, but he doesn't always follow. He is on the autism spectrum, so he gets very single minded and determined about certain things.
Besides, I think if he can hack into the safe, getting to play is a fitting reward.
I don’t have an answer for you, but this is a really fun idea and I hope someone can help you out!
One thing, the puzzles ideally be ai-safe, what if your boy ask AI to solve the puzzle:)
So you have to buy some physical puzzle games...Maybe like 2x2 Rubik's Cube (Mini Cube), trust me, it is not that easy, but fun!
(If he got additive into various cubes.. you have a new problem, and no longer have big Nitendo problem)
This is such a clever twist on parenting turning restriction into an opportunity for learning. You’re essentially gamifying access to gaming itself! A great starting point might be using a Raspberry Pi or Arduino with a solenoid lock and a small safe or lockbox. You can then program logic puzzles, math challenges, or even small coding problems in Python or Bash to trigger the unlock mechanism. It’s hands-on, educational, and way more engaging than passive screen time limits. Plus, it rewards persistence and creativity huge win.