Hacklab Toronto is proud to announce that we will be hosting the first ever I2P Conference and Crypto-Party from August 15-16, 2015.  There will be discussion on I2P development and challenges, talks by INFOSEC experts, a CryptoParty hosted by Toronto Crypto, and lots of social time.  Signup and a detailed list of speakers and activities can be found by clicking “more”, below.

If you want to attend this conference, you MUST get a ticket at i2pmeetup.eventbrite.com – EventBrite works with fake names, TOR Brower and Mailinator.com to keep you anonymous, however.

Read more below the cut, and see you there!

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Lockpicking is a fun and unusual skill, and can help people get a better grasp of their physical security situation. Come to one of Hacklab’s two lockpicking workshops and learn a skill which is applicable for physical/digital security experts, security-minded home-owners, and anyone who wants to survive the zombie apocalypse!

Hacklab is running two Lockpicking workshops on July 5; the first running from 2pm until 4pm, and the second running from 5pm until 7pm. This event is open to all ages and all interested parties. Free signup at EventBrite is mandatory — there are only 5 spots available at each workshop. This event is Pay-What-You-Can, with a suggested donation of $10 or more to help us keep the lights on. Nobody will be turned away for lack of funds.

If you don’t get a ticket, don’t worry: we’ll be running this workshop again soon!

Signup for Lockpicking Workshop #1 or #2 at Eventbrite

Just in case you were wondering.

Location: 1266 Queen Street West, Unit #6
When: Feb 28, 2pm until 8pm (or later if there are still lots of people around)
How to get in: use the buzzer panel beside the door to call for entry

Good news for all the folks who can’t make it out for our weekday open-houses: this Saturday February 28, Hacklab will be hosting a weekend open-house from 2pm until late!  Scheduled end-time is 8pm, but it could go on longer depending on how many people show up.

This is an all-ages event, and is open to everyone regardless of experience or technical skill level.  We love meeting new people and seeing regulars, so come and check us out.  Bring your projects to show off, your laptops to hack/code on, or something you’re curious about.  Hacklab has an electronics/coding area, a large classroom, a wood-shop, a kitchen, a lounge, and a sewing area, all of which are open for use.

There will be some free vegan food, but if you feel moved to bring some noms to share, we encourage that.

See you all there!

RSVP with Eventbrite (not required, but encouraged)

Lockpicking is a fun and unusual skill, and can help people get a better grasp of their physical security situation.  Come to one of Hacklab’s two lockpicking workshops and learn a skill which is applicable for physical/digital security experts, security-minded home-owners, and anyone who wants to survive the zombie apocalypse!

Hacklab is running two Lockpicking workshops on February 14, the first running from noon until 2pm and the second running from 3pm until 5pm.  This event is open to all ages and all interested parties.  Free signup at EventBrite is mandatory — there are only 5 spots available at each workshop.  This event is Pay-What-You-Can, with a suggested donation of $10 or more to help us keep the lights on.  Nobody will be turned away for lack of funds.

If you don’t get a ticket, don’t worry: we’ll be running this workshop again soon!

Signup for Lockpicking at EventBrite

Some folks are at the lab eating Christmas Curry and Axis Of Evil Cookies, listening to secular christmas music and debating whether we want to subject ourselves to Seth Rogen’s The Interview. There’s quite a bit of hackery happening, and vegan hot chocolate has been enjoyed by all.

Whatever you’re doing this holiday season, we hope you’re having as much fun as we are.

Happy Hackmas from everyone at the lab!

Sen using a thermal camera to monitor the exact temperature of the Roller Derby skates baking in our oven. For science!

Hey everyone!

We get asked every now and again if we could host weekend open-houses for those of you who can’t make it out to our Tuesday Open-House nights. Well, your dreams have come true!

Hacklab will be hosting a weekend Open-House on Saturday December 6, starting at 2pm and going until at least 6pm (but likely later). Come bring your curiosity, neat projects, your weird and crazy ideas and your awesome selves.  As always, our open-house is at 1266 Queen Street West, Unit 6.  Buzz our unit number at the door to be let in.

Also, there will be free vegan food! Show up for some noms, stay for the blinking LED’s!

Any questions about this event can be directed to us via the Contact page.

Hope to see you there.  Happy hacking!

The folks over at Storage Wars Canada found some lockpicks in a storage locker, and want to shoot a segment about them.  A lab member who is friends with one of their staff emailed the rest of the membership and asked if anyone might be interested in helping them out, and it just so happens that I’m a certified Locksmith.  After chatting with them a bit, they want to shoot a segment at the Hacklab, learn a bit of lockpicking and check the space out.  They also like the open-house atmosphere, so clearly this is cause for a public event!

When: Monday, October 20 2014, 2pm – 6pm

Where: Hacklab.to, 1266 Queen Street West Toronto

Please use the buzzer at the front door to be let in when you arrive.

This will be a lot like an open-house, so bring your projects and computers like normal, though if you have an interest in lockpicking you should bring your picking gear and interesting practice locks.  If you don’t know how to pick but want to learn, you should bring your sense of curiosity!

Since this is a commercial shoot, we ask the attendees all agree to the following:

• Show up around 2pm — actual filming will begin around 3ish.
• Be willing to sign a waiver from Storage Wars saying you’re okay with being filmed.
• Not wear any large identifiable logos or brand-names (small logos which can be taped over are okay).
• Avoid wearing small repeating patterns (I’m looking at you, Herringbone).
• Be willing to take minor directions from the film crew and director while in the space — they may want to move people from room to room for instance, or have everyone relocate to one table.

We look forward to seeing you there!  If you have any other questions about this event, please email info@hacklab.to