889K views · Aug 5, 2014 · 1:55:54 · 9 HN recommenders · 13 mentions · discussed 2014–2026
Deviant Ollam's two-hour conference talk explains how elevators work, from the pit and buffers to the car top, controller logic and access-control features. It shows how this knowledge can be used for optimization and for bypassing building security.
Why Hacker News points people here: HN commenters call it an absorbing, entertaining deep dive on elevator security and the go-to link whenever elevators come up.
“it was so interesting to me that I ended up watching the entire 2 hours in one sitting.”HN comment, 2021
“watch this[0] entire (super entertaining) talk from Hope X about elevator security.”
Entertaining talk explaining how elevator safety measures work.
And watch this[0] entire (super entertaining) talk from Hope X about elevator security. You get a pretty good feal for how the safety measures work after watching it. [0] this video
“I recommend the full 2 hour version, with all the secrets”
Full two-hour version with all the secrets.
Yes. That's the shorter censored versoion. I recommend the full 2 hour version, with all the secrets: this video My second favourite talk: You spent all that money and your still got owned: link I even watch these again and again.
“just about elevator security which is fantastic.”
Deep dive on elevator security with consultant Howard Payne.
Deviant Ollam does another talk with elevator consultant Howard Payne just about elevator security which is fantastic. It's very similar to this one, but goes deeper into the single subject. There are a few versions on YouTube of various lengths, but here's the 2 hour version: this video
“I would also highly recommend this talk”
Highly recommended talk on elevator hacking.
If you're interested in elevators and the hacking thereof I would also highly recommend this talk: this video
“it was so interesting to me that I ended up watching the entire 2 hours in one sitting.”
Absorbing two-hour talk watched in one sitting.
I ran into this video (Elevator Hacking: From the Pit to the Penthouse) awhile back, and it was so interesting to me that I ended up watching the entire 2 hours in one sitting.
“My personal favorite”
Personal favorite among Deviant Ollam's elevator talks.
If you feel like going down an elevator rabbithole, Deviant Ollam has quite a few talks/videos about all sorts of niche elevator stuff. My personal favorite: this video
“his elevator with Howard Payne talk”
Two-hour elevator talk with Howard Payne.
Deviant Ollam - The Hotel Room Gourmet link Also not 2018 but his elevator with Howard Payne talk: link (1h version) this video (2h version) And the search for the perfect door: link
“I have to also mention another video of theirs”
Related elevator video by the same creators.
Relevant video discussing fire keys and other common keys: link And since this thread is about elevators, I have to also mention another video of theirs: this video
“this is a great talk if you want to know more about elevators”
Great talk on elevators.
SimTower started as elevator simulator, and was then turned into a game. Also, this is a great talk if you want to know more about elevators: this video
Elevator access-control card restrictions and bypasses.
> After a week of recon I found out that the 4th and 5th floors are only accessible with a very specific card via the elevator. I didn’t have that card. Even if I get to the elevator I could not go to the 5th floor See this video
“elevators should never be a part of a building's security because they're so easy to hack[1].”
Shows elevators are easy to hack.
I don't know about subways, but elevators should never be a part of a building's security because they're so easy to hack[1]. [1]: this video
“There was an elevator hacking talk that went into the buffers at the bottom of the elevator.”
Covers elevator buffers at the bottom of the shaft.
There was an elevator hacking talk that went into the buffers at the bottom of the elevator. You may have seen them in elevators that have glass on the outside of the shaft like in malls and hotels. The elevator never rests on those. Those are to take the impact of an elevator that crashes. Inspectors will often test the buffers as well as part of routine maintenance: this video
“the button frequently does nothing because you frequently lack the proper permissions...”
It is perhaps more appropriate to say the button frequently does nothing because you frequently lack the proper permissions... this video
