Craig Lee wrote: > > I agree, it is in-fact the nature of Hackers to hack! > > Would it not be an interesting challenge to develop a self > destruct mechanism, so when hacking is attempted, the chip > destroys itself? > > As far as hardware destruction goes. I've tried this with > a 16F84, and can't manage to destroy it..... Reversed > currents, gave it high voltage spikes, etc., and all I > managed to do was blow a couple of I/O pins(they still work > as pull downs!) > > Craig Detection is one thing; destruction is the EASY part. Put a nice powerful spring in there holding a pin punch, center punch, or cold chisel; On trying to open the access door, the punch is driven through the PIC die and PC board, with power still on, causing "some" silicon damage. (An old bolt would do nicely.) An old truck leaf spring set to mash the PIC chip when released should do, for the cheap solution. Watch your fingers... Adapt one of those .22 "blank" powered concrete nail drivers to do the same damage. See also short shotguns, short rifles, etc; Be sure the person opening the box is authorized to have access to firearms Or you could use a crossbow, slur bow, stone bow, etc. type setup. Attach a small Squib atop the PIC chip, set off upon detection of unauthorized access, with a nice NiMH backup power pack. For bonus points, use a small blob of C3, a nice 4-foot coil of Det. Cord, or better yet one op the above fashioned into a shaped charge. Only 2 bonus points if you use a commercially made shaped charge (the people who demolish buildings use these, it'll cut a steel beam, so it'll cut a PIC.) Also bonus points if you make your own Squib, etc. You lose MANY points for each conviction for breaking laws here, of course... Brute force method: Fit the PIC in a module atop a small mortar charge, on firing the mortar charge the entire PIC module's smashed against an anvil. NO bonus points for this, but people into this approach tend to get great satisfaction without the bonus points Set off a pound of Thermite upon intrusion into the box. (MESSY, yet pretty darn certain!) Vent a couple pounds of molten metal into the project box (messier than thermite, debatably.) Attach the left and right sides of the PIC to opposing sides of rectified 117VAC through small metal blades snapped against the PIC pins, and energized upon detection of intrusion. (Use a nice big cap, I figure this should do nicely.) Better: Alternate so even and odd pins are attached to opposing sides of this voltage. A nice DIL test clamp could be used here, potentially, just don't leave it always connected as it'll affect your clock oscillator. Minimalist solution: Use the above but only "Zap" the Osc1/ClkIn pin; This should probably make it QUITE hard to use the PIC chip Anarchists' (non-)solution: Pot the entire PIC chip in Nitrogen Tri-Iodide solution, let dry as you retreat to a safe distance, expect the first vibration to come along to vaporize your PIC Powering up may do it here, as well. Cryogenics overkill solution: Pour a pint of liquid N2 on the PIC chip, wait 5 seconds, then drop a hammer on it WAY Overkill solution: Get a small Neutron bomb, glue the PIC project atop it's case, set bomb off upon intrusion Mark