Discover Hackbat: an open source and more powerful alternative to Flipper Zero

Do you like the Flipper Zero but want something a little more powerful? Then this open source penetration testing tool may be right for you. But you will have to build it yourself.

Or more specifically, you’ll need to hire a company that prints circuit boards and adds the components to build one for you. It sounds complicated, but it’s not, and the reward will be worth it.

Also read: Pinball Zero: geek toy or serious security tool?

Called Hackbat, this pocket tool is the brainchild of Pablo Trujillo and is built around a custom PCB and RP2040 microcontroller from the Raspberry Pi Pico W.

Don’t let the idea of ​​custom circuit boards scare you, because Trujillo has made available to you for free all the files you need to make them, as well as information on all the components needed to power the board.

Hackbat has everything you need to perform high-end penetration testing, with Wi-Fi, NFC and RF to receive and transmit radio waves, a microSD card slot for storage, USB to allow it to perform key injection attacks, and a 128 x 64 pixel OLED display and buttons for human interaction.

If you want to create your own Hackbat, you have the option to use Trujillo’s recommended PCB printing service – JLCPCB – or choose a service you prefer.

Also: How to Unlock the True Power of Pinball Zero

However, if this is your first foray into assembling hardware like this, be prepared for a steep learning curve. A common challenge that many newcomers face is the shortage of components. This may require you to search for equivalent components to replace, which can be an important part of the learning process. As for cost, it’s hard to pin down as component prices and even PCB printing prices vary daily, but I priced it the other day and it was around $40 if I had three.

If you are interested in security and electronics, this is a great project to get started on.