Shoplifting on a Budget: Exploring Bypasses for Retail Security Tags

Presented at A New HOPE (2022), July 24, 2022, 11 a.m. (50 minutes)

Shoplifters vs. security. In this talk, you will learn how to think like a criminal... and about retail loss prevention. Stores deter theft using Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) devices, which include clothing ink tags, security boxes/wraps, and labels. This talk will cover EAS basics, demonstrate functionality, and bypasses of several device types.

Audience members may volunteer to participate in the 'Catching a Shoplifter' challenge to see if they can bypass EAS devices without tripping the alarms. Hackers will enjoy EAS bypasses due to the similarities between wireless hacking, lock-picking, and lock-bypassing. This also provides security awareness for loss prevention and C-level decision makers when selecting theft deterrents of this nature.


Presenters:

  • MakeItHackin
    **MakeItHackin (@MakeItHackin)** had his Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) research start in a physics classroom when learning about Faraday cages. During the 2020 lockdown, he started creating hacker-related content on social media and continues to demonstrate hacker-friendly projects to millions of viewers. He spends his free time creating videos, playing with Arduinos, and designing circuit boards.

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