It's smaller than an iPhone, but it can be used to perform numerous tests

Apr 18, 2012 13:52 GMT  ·  By

Security expert Kevin Bong, who currently works as an information assurance consultant for SynerComm, has developed what he calls a penetration testing “drop box” named MiniPwner, which can be used by professionals to pinpoint vulnerabilities in networks.

“Once plugged into a target network, the Mini-Pwner can establish an SSH tunnel through the target network, or can be accessed by wifi. In addition, the MiniPwner can be configured as a wifi sniffer and logger - wardriving in your pocket,” Bong wrote on the website he made especially for his little invention.

Half the size of an iPhone, the MiniPwner is actually a portable router that runs OpenWrt. To make it independent of a fixed power source, the expert fitted his toy with a 1700 mAh battery.

The gadget can also be used to perform tests that verify a company’s ability to protect itself against social engineers (the pentester can try to plug it in without being noticed).

MiniPwner can be purchased directly from Bong’s site for the price of $99 (70 EUR), or you can learn how to build your own.