14 Essential Gadgets for Hackers and Security Researchers

Unusual devices and gadgets aren’t just for secret agents and special forces. Many devices have been specifically designed for hackers and security researchers. What are they, and how do they work? We’ve put together a true hacker’s toolkit for you.

Why Do You Need This?

Anyone seriously involved in pentesting or hacking has probably found themselves in a situation where just one more step was needed for a successful attack. In Kevin Mitnick’s book “The Art of Intrusion,” there’s a story about a pentest where a well-configured firewall seemed to block all access to a company’s internal network. But one team member found a live network port in the reception area and discreetly plugged in a tiny wireless device. No one noticed it until the test was over, and the pentesters gained direct Wi-Fi access to the internal network. This is just one example of why hacker gadgets shouldn’t be underestimated. Here are some of the most interesting options you can buy online.

1. WiFi Pineapple Mark IV (wifipineapple.com)
   Price: $99.99
   People’s thirst for free internet often leads them to connect to open Wi-Fi networks in public places. Few realize that a seemingly open hotspot could be a rogue access point set up to intercept all unencrypted traffic and perform various MITM attacks. The WiFi Pineapple is a purpose-built device for this, running a custom OpenWRT firmware with tools like Karma, DNS Spoof, SSL Strip, and more. Just power it up, configure via the web interface, and start capturing data. While it needs external power, battery packs can provide 2-3 hours of autonomy.
2. Ubertooth One (ubertooth.sourceforge.net)
   Price: $119.99
   Bluetooth traffic analysis used to require expensive hardware, but Ubertooth One changed the game. This USB dongle, based on an ARM Cortex-M3, can be set to promiscuous mode to passively capture Bluetooth data between devices. It works with tools like Kismet and can be built from scratch or bought ready-made.
3. ALFA USB WiFi AWUS036NHA (bit.ly/OokY6l)
   Price: $35.99
   For wireless network auditing, the right Wi-Fi adapter is crucial. The ALFA AWUS036NHA, based on the Atheros AR9271 chipset, supports b/g/n standards and works out of the box with most OSes, including BackTrack 5. It’s compatible with the WiFi Pineapple and can be used for deauth attacks to capture WPA handshakes for brute-forcing.
4. Reaver Pro (bit.ly/IRrZfF)
   Price: $99.99
   Long WPA passphrases are tough to brute-force, but if a network supports WPS, the Reaver Pro kit can exploit this vulnerability. It includes a wireless module and a bootable USB stick with a preconfigured OS. The attack targets the WPS pin, and once found, the WPA key is revealed. On average, it takes 4-10 hours to crack the pin.
5. 16dBi Yagi Antenna (bit.ly/MXT1Tv)
   Price: $30
   Wireless devices are limited by range. The 16dBi Yagi Antenna is a directional antenna that lets you stay farther from your target while maintaining a strong signal. It connects via RP-SMA to devices like the ALFA AWUS036H, WiFi Pineapple, Ubertooth One, and more. There are countless antenna options, including DIY guides online.
6. USB Rubber Ducky (usbrubberducky.com)
   Price: $69.99
   This device emulates a keyboard (HID) and can execute scripted keystrokes on a target machine. It uses a simple scripting language called Duckyscript and supports multiple payloads stored on a microSD card. The firmware is open source and can be customized. The device is tiny and can be disguised as a regular flash drive.
7. Throwing Star LAN Tap (bit.ly/LYOW2f)
   Price: $14.99
   This passive network tap allows for undetectable monitoring of Ethernet traffic. It looks like a small cross-shaped board with four Ethernet ports. Cut a network cable and connect the ends to J1 and J2, then use J3 and J4 for monitoring. It works with 10BaseT and 100BaseTX networks and requires no power. Schematics are open source for DIY builds.
8. GSM/GPS/Wi-Fi Jammers (Google Search)
   Price: From $100
   Jammers disrupt wireless signals by flooding the airwaves, affecting GSM, GPS, or Wi-Fi. They vary in range, power, and appearance, from large stationary units to portable devices disguised as everyday objects. While widely available online, their legality varies by country.
9. RFID 13.56MHz Mifare Reader and Writer Module (bit.ly/MQlw6e)
   Price: $65
   Mifare Classic 1K cards are common for office access control. This device can read, clone, and write to these cards, and comes with blank cards for cloning. It’s also useful for working with NFC, ZigBee, and other wireless protocols. NFC, a successor to RFID, can even be used with modern smartphones.
10. KeyGrabber (keelog.com)
    Price: $38–$138
    KeyGrabber is a hardware keylogger that sits between a keyboard and computer, recording all keystrokes. Models are available for PS/2 and USB keyboards. Some versions have Wi-Fi to send logs via email. The company also offers VideoGhost, a device that captures screen images every ten seconds and stores them on a built-in drive.
11. MiniPwner (minipwner.com)
    Price: $99
    MiniPwner is a tiny device that, when discreetly connected to a target network, gives remote access to pentesters. Built from a TP-Link TL-WR703N router with 4GB storage, it runs a modified OpenWrt with tools like Nmap, Tcpdump, Netcat, aircrack, and more. A 1700mAh battery provides up to five hours of operation.
12. Pwn Plug (pwnieexpress.com)
    Price: $595
    Pwn Plug is a drop-box device that looks like a power adapter but is actually a full Debian 6 computer packed with hacking tools. The Elite version includes 3G, wireless, and USB-Ethernet adapters, supports remote SSH access via cellular networks, and can execute commands via SMS. It comes with a 16GB SDHC card and a wide range of pentesting tools. The price is steep, but the capabilities are impressive.
13. AR.Drone (ardrone.parrot.com)
    Price: $299
    This quadcopter, equipped with a high-resolution camera, can be used for surveillance—like peeking through windows to see what equipment is in use or how employees behave. It’s controlled via iPhone, iPad, or Android with a dedicated app. You can also use it for aerial photography or build your own drone using online resources.
14. Raspberry Pi (raspberrypi.org)
    Price: $25
    The Raspberry Pi is a simple single-board computer based on an ARM 11 processor, about the size of a credit card. It comes without a case, making it easy to disguise. With USB, Ethernet, HDMI, and SD card slots, it’s perfect for building a budget drop-box. You can run any Linux distro, but PwnPi is a specialized pentesting OS for the Pi, packed with hacking tools and guides for setting up hidden servers, Metasploit, sniffers, and more.

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