1. What is "LowNoise HG" ?

LowNoise Hacking Group (LNHG) is a research and development (R&D) non-profit organization, aimed towards finding out how devices work, and how they can be improved. Most research is done on security devices/technologies/algoritms/software. This continuous research must generate a greater environment understanding, for the whole Group, the related researchers, and the InfoSec community.

2. When  was LowNoise HG first founded ?

LowNoise, as it is now, exists since 1994, which is the year we started our first set of basic research projects, mostly around Unix, its security and its possible improvements.

3. What research projects are being develped right now by LowNoise HG ?

Despite of starting as an InfoSec research organization, LNHG develops research n different security-realted topics, like:
Information Security:
- Vulnerability Discovery/Detection
- InfoSec Toolset Development
- Others
Electronic Security:
- Magnetic Stripe Cards
- Barcode Systems
- Proximity Cards
- RFID
- POS Kiosks
- Mobile (cellular) Teplephony (TDMA / CDMA / GSM)
- Others
Phisical Security:
- Lockpicking
- Others

4. Would LNHG be interested in developing a new research on topic XXXXX ?

If topic XXXXX is related to security, and is innovating, for sure we will be interested in initiating a line of research around it, as aponsors, associates or verifiers. In none of those cases will LNHG receive monetary retribution See Question # 7).

5. What are the research models used by LNHG ?

LowNoise takes part of different types of research, in topics around Information and Electronic Security, around the next models:
Researcher:
Resources: LNHG
Researchers: Active members of LNHG
Research Leader: LNHG senior member
Credits and Results of Research: Property of LNHG (Usually released open-source)
Sponsor:
Resources: LNHG
Researchers: Active members of LNHG and external researchers
Research Leader: LNHG Research Team
Credits and Results of Research: Property of LNHG (Usually released open-source). All documents make reference to the external researchers involved.
Associate:
Resources: LNHG and/or external resources
Researchers: Active members of LNHG and external researchers (Associate Researchers)
Research Leader: Associate Researchers
Credits and Results of Research: Joint Property of LNHG and Associate Researchers
Verificator:
Resources: External:
Researchers: External
Research Leader: External
Credits and Results of Research: Property of External Researchers, but all documents must make reference to LNHG as the verifying party that checked veracity and confiability of the documented research data.

6. What economic benefit does LNHG receive in each of the research model presented ?

None of these research models are oriented towards financial benefit. The object of all research activities is to increase our knowledge (as a Group, not as individuals) and make a more secure society around technology.

7. Would LNHG, in any case, recevie economic retribution ?

There are some cases in which LNHG would accept to receive monetary retribution for research activities, services, etc., for example, when a company sponsors a research for its own benefit. In every case, all economic income to LNHG will be used in the aquisition of required equipment, on activities that improve research or on improvement of the operation of the Group and its internal activities. None of this economic retributions will ever be for personal benefit of any of the members of LNHG or anyone.

8. Would LNHG work with a different research model ?

As a research organization, LNHG is open to considering and discussing any proposal that has as an objective the aquisition of new knowledge in security topics, with benefit to the Group, according to their fundamental principles.

9. If LNHG members don't receive any economical benefit from LNHG, what do they live on ?

LNHG offers each and every member the capability of being able to auto develop intelectually, in the security field(s) of their interest, as a personal interest, also benefitting from the resarch of other memebers, and that, by itself, is the best retribution we can get. LNHG is an "extra" activity (extra-work, extracurricular,  etc.) that becomes a lifestyle. In almost all cases, LNHG members have a regular job to support us (and sometimes, to support our research expenses  ;) )

10. What resources has LNHG available for research ?

En the past thirteen (13) years, LNHG and its members have been able to collect a great amount of resources, old and new, which are available for any research, like PCs, laptops, software (original, of course ;) ), readers, sensors, cameras, devices, cell phones, consoles, etc. For any inquiry or request about resources, please write an e-mail to us.

11. Does LNHG have any relationship with private or public companies ?

No. Despite of most of LNHG members having work relationships with private and public companies, having a direct relationship with any company doesn't offer any benefits to LNHG, to its principles, or to its research activities. If a company thinks it can receive a benefit from working with LNHG, we encourage them to sponsor one or more research projects, but in order for LNHG to achieve its goals, it must always have the capability of taking decisions independently on the road to take on topics like the development and growing of the Gorup, and of its knowledge base.

12. Does LNHG have any interest on having direct relationship with any private or public company ?

No. None.

13. How does LNHG guarantees that its discoveries/developments are not used by companies ?

We don't have a way of guaranteeing that. All our discoveries and developments are released (or will be sometime) under an open-source license (like GPL, Mozilla, etc.) that allow the use of its contents in almost all ways, and they only prevent commercial abuse and code stealing.
As for our members, there is a strict code that states several control mechanisms, like number of allowed members per company, among others. These measures try to guarantee that all discoveries and developments of LNHG provide benefit mainly to the Group. We cannot expect to keep companies from getting benefit out of our work and efforts, since one of the secindary goals of research our country/region progress.
The results of these research projects are for everyone, but trying not to benefit a few.

14. Can LNHG research projects be involved in illegal activities ?

Because of the topics that are subject to the research projects developed by LNHG, it could sometimes look like these could do or encourage illegal activities, but LNHG and any of its memebers have that intention. If any person (member or not) gets involved in ilegal activities while researching or using any LNHG deveopments/discoveries/info, it is under his/her own personal responsability, and LNHG will not be liable for it. 

15. How can I participate on LNHG activities ?

In the case of research, we recommend to propose research project topics first, to be developed with LNHG as the sponsor, or in any other research model (See Question # 5). Usually, our research projects start with an already formed team, and it is not easy to find free spots on on-going projects. The participation on a research project related to LNHG is a requirement to be considered and be able to present to the board as a LNHG member candidate.
Es indispensable la participación como investigador externo en cualquier investigación apoyada por LNHG, para ser considerado y poder presentarse con intención de ser miembro del Grupo.
For all non-research activities, please drop us an e-mail.

16. What are the benefits of being a LNHG member ?

Active LNHG members have,  among other, these benefits:
- Monthly LNHG Bulletin (with news from the Gorup, discoveries/developments of research projects, calls for new projects, etc.)
- Access to LNHG meetings and conferences.
- Direct access to LNHG locations, equipment and resources for research
- Support from LNHG when you make discoveries
- Support for getting funding and/resources for your research

17. How can I become a member of LNHG ?

The only way to become a LNHG member is to have previously participated on a  research project sponsored by LNHG (Preferably proposing a topic and developing it). If during this research we appreciate your investigative capability, responsability and dedication, you will be iinvited to be a member of the Group.
(NOTE: No, in order to become a memeber you don;t need to have a degree on any specific program, or to work in any specific area. The only additional requirements are wanting to belong to the Group, and/or have talent for security research)

18. How can I contact LNHG ?

When this new server is finally set up, ideally, each research project will have its own mailbox, there will be independent mailboxes for contact areas like "projects", "press", "events", etc., and also there will be mailboxes for each active LNHG member.
For now, the fastest way to get a hold of us is to write to our gmail account (lownoisehg), or to F4Lc0N, on his hotmail (falcon_lownoise) and/or cyberspace.org (f41c0n) emails.
Also, if you see one of us at a conference, don't be shy. We like to meet new people all the time, and are more than glad to share our experiences. Questions, spare equipment and beer are always welcome   ;)

19. Where can I find previous LNHG work/projects ?

Although almost everything out there on the Internet is too old and/or outdated, you can find some of our previous works at:
http://www.packetstormsecurity.org/groups/lownoise/
There are also some other works, mainly by ET, at:
http://pwp.007mundo.com/etorres1/

20. I am going to send an email to LNHG saying "I want to particpate ! How can I help ? I like to learn ....? etc."

Please, in your email, state what NEW research project you would like to develop and its objectives, and describe how LNHG could help you achieve them. It is not easy getting involved on on-going projects. It is a lot easier to start a new research project, and work on it with knowledgable and experimented people, or to propose anew topic to be researched by LNHG, and receive credit for the original idea.

21. I think this site should have XXXXX ...

Please drop us an email with yoru suggestions.

22. I think this FAQ should have XXXXX ...

Please drop us an email with yoru suggestions.

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