Take What You Need
Now that you know when you're going to be there, how you're going to get there, and where you're going to stay, it's time to plan what to take. If you're flying, try to pack light and travel carry-on only — it will make your life much more comfortable at the airport. If you need help with coming up with a general packing list, then use the PackPoint app for Android and iOS. Otherwise, let's look at some of the significant things you don't want to miss.
Electronics
The first major decision to make is whether or not you're bringing electronics and, if so, which ones. As mentioned before, the networks and airwaves at Defcon are very hostile. If there's a zero-day for a device, Defcon is one of the places it would be demonstrated.
The safest thing to do is not bring any electronic devices at all. However, that can be hard sometimes because it's impossible to fall along with talks, do workshops, and access the Defcon app. If you have a burner phone or an old laptop that you can wipe, this is the time and place to use them.
If you do bring a laptop, it should never be out of your sight. Install a fresh OS with the latest updates and the bare essentials as far as programs go. Do this at home before you even get to Vegas — there are attacks that can look like firmware updates and they can be impossible to remove from the device after.
When you get home after the con, do the same thing: a completely fresh install. You can protect your primary machine, but you have to account for the value of the data on it and understand the implications of what you are doing. If possible, use a self-encrypting hard drive/SSD or a software solution like BitLocker and PGPDisk store the keys in memory; This should deter most of the average pranksters.
Defcon does provide a secure Wi-Fi network which should be OK for most people to use. Although, if you do go this route, be sure that you can positively ID the network and it's not some random hacker spoofing the network name. Just remember not to buy anything online, enter passwords, etc. while at Defcon regardless of the network. Also, always use a VPN. If you don't have one, buy one, and disable your 3G network to help deter sniffing.
Cash
Defcon is a cash-only event, so at a minimum, you'll need $280 to get into the event itself. Additionally, assume that all the vendors inside only accept cash, so your best bet is to get enough money for the entire con out of the ATM before you land in Las Vegas. There are lots of rumors about ATMs in and around the con being unsafe, so if you do have to use one, either go several blocks away or visit a banking location and get it in person.
Cash
Defcon is a cash-only event, so at a minimum, you'll need $280 to get into the event itself. Additionally, assume that all the vendors inside only accept cash, so your best bet is to get enough money for the entire con out of the ATM before you land in Las Vegas. There are lots of rumors about ATMs in and around the con being unsafe, so if you do have to use one, either go several blocks away or visit a banking location and get it in person.
Water
The next major thing to remember is to bring water — you're in a desert, after all. If you're flying, remember you can take an empty water bottle through TSA, and then fill it up at a water bottle refilling station or water fountain inside the airport. It's especially important to drink plenty of water while flying to fight the effects of jet lag.
Drinking water is also critical if, like many Defcon-goers, you plan on drinking (alcohol, duh). Water at the hotels can be quite expensive, so take a few bottled waters or a refillable water bottle. You want to maintain a 16:1 water-to-booze ratio. So remember, one bottle of water for every ounce of alcohol, and you can thank me in the morning.
Clothing
Las Vegas is extremely hot during the summer. It can go above 100ºF during the day and remain there even into the evening, so pick your clothing accordingly. Jeans and tee-shirts are relatively standard. And don't forget swimwear for all the pool parties!
Badges are a vital part of the con culture. You get one badge from Defcon itself, but there are many more out there. Different villages will make there own, as well as individual indie developers. Besides being cool and useful, they are an easy way to communicate to those around you what groups you support or which villages you're interested in.
So if you're into Badge life, remember to be on the lookout for indie Defcon badges on Kickstarter and other websites. They usually pop up a few months before the con. They can also be purchased for cash at various villages but the lines can get long, or they may sell out, so if you go this route, try to get there early Thursday and purchase them then.
Odds & Ends
There are a few other things you want to be sure to bring:
A lightweight and comfortable bag for swag and gear.
Snacks, as food can cost a lot on the strip.
Something non-electronic for notes such as a notepad (vital if you're going to Skytalks).
RFID blocking wallet.
PGP fingerprints on business cards or something similar.
Power strips so you can plug a lot of stuff in.
Battery pack for when you can't find an outlet.
Now that you know when you're going to be there, how you're going to get there, and where you're going to stay, it's time to plan what to take. If you're flying, try to pack light and travel carry-on only — it will make your life much more comfortable at the airport. If you need help with coming up with a general packing list, then use the PackPoint app for Android and iOS. Otherwise, let's look at some of the significant things you don't want to miss.
Electronics
The first major decision to make is whether or not you're bringing electronics and, if so, which ones. As mentioned before, the networks and airwaves at Defcon are very hostile. If there's a zero-day for a device, Defcon is one of the places it would be demonstrated.
The safest thing to do is not bring any electronic devices at all. However, that can be hard sometimes because it's impossible to fall along with talks, do workshops, and access the Defcon app. If you have a burner phone or an old laptop that you can wipe, this is the time and place to use them.
If you do bring a laptop, it should never be out of your sight. Install a fresh OS with the latest updates and the bare essentials as far as programs go. Do this at home before you even get to Vegas — there are attacks that can look like firmware updates and they can be impossible to remove from the device after.
When you get home after the con, do the same thing: a completely fresh install. You can protect your primary machine, but you have to account for the value of the data on it and understand the implications of what you are doing. If possible, use a self-encrypting hard drive/SSD or a software solution like BitLocker and PGPDisk store the keys in memory; This should deter most of the average pranksters.
Defcon does provide a secure Wi-Fi network which should be OK for most people to use. Although, if you do go this route, be sure that you can positively ID the network and it's not some random hacker spoofing the network name. Just remember not to buy anything online, enter passwords, etc. while at Defcon regardless of the network. Also, always use a VPN. If you don't have one, buy one, and disable your 3G network to help deter sniffing.
Cash
Defcon is a cash-only event, so at a minimum, you'll need $280 to get into the event itself. Additionally, assume that all the vendors inside only accept cash, so your best bet is to get enough money for the entire con out of the ATM before you land in Las Vegas. There are lots of rumors about ATMs in and around the con being unsafe, so if you do have to use one, either go several blocks away or visit a banking location and get it in person.
Cash
Defcon is a cash-only event, so at a minimum, you'll need $280 to get into the event itself. Additionally, assume that all the vendors inside only accept cash, so your best bet is to get enough money for the entire con out of the ATM before you land in Las Vegas. There are lots of rumors about ATMs in and around the con being unsafe, so if you do have to use one, either go several blocks away or visit a banking location and get it in person.
Water
The next major thing to remember is to bring water — you're in a desert, after all. If you're flying, remember you can take an empty water bottle through TSA, and then fill it up at a water bottle refilling station or water fountain inside the airport. It's especially important to drink plenty of water while flying to fight the effects of jet lag.
Drinking water is also critical if, like many Defcon-goers, you plan on drinking (alcohol, duh). Water at the hotels can be quite expensive, so take a few bottled waters or a refillable water bottle. You want to maintain a 16:1 water-to-booze ratio. So remember, one bottle of water for every ounce of alcohol, and you can thank me in the morning.
Clothing
Las Vegas is extremely hot during the summer. It can go above 100ºF during the day and remain there even into the evening, so pick your clothing accordingly. Jeans and tee-shirts are relatively standard. And don't forget swimwear for all the pool parties!
Badges are a vital part of the con culture. You get one badge from Defcon itself, but there are many more out there. Different villages will make there own, as well as individual indie developers. Besides being cool and useful, they are an easy way to communicate to those around you what groups you support or which villages you're interested in.
So if you're into Badge life, remember to be on the lookout for indie Defcon badges on Kickstarter and other websites. They usually pop up a few months before the con. They can also be purchased for cash at various villages but the lines can get long, or they may sell out, so if you go this route, try to get there early Thursday and purchase them then.
Odds & Ends
There are a few other things you want to be sure to bring:
A lightweight and comfortable bag for swag and gear.
Snacks, as food can cost a lot on the strip.
Something non-electronic for notes such as a notepad (vital if you're going to Skytalks).
RFID blocking wallet.
PGP fingerprints on business cards or something similar.
Power strips so you can plug a lot of stuff in.
Battery pack for when you can't find an outlet.
PSYCHO ARSENAL