Hck4G Meetup #0x15

"Stop Spying On Me!" – Disrupting Adversarial DNS Queries

Event Overview

Hck4G returns with Meetup #0x15, continuing our mission to build practical, community-driven cybersecurity capability that provide legitimate pathway into cybersecurity for young people.

This session explores the hidden risks behind everyday internet usage; specifically, how online advertising and tracking ecosystems have evolved into security and privacy threats, and what defenders can do about it.

Talk Overview

Online advertising is no longer just an annoyance — it has become a significant attack surface for both individuals and organisations.

Ads and trackers consume large amounts of data, profile users, and are increasingly leveraged for malware delivery and cybercrime activity.

This session follows the journey of building a whole-of-home advert and threat blocking system using a DNS blackhole, highlighting both the effectiveness of DNS filtering and the ongoing challenges defenders face.

What starts as a simple setup quickly becomes an arms race, as modern devices and operating systems bypass traditional controls using:

Hard-coded DNS resolvers
DNS over TLS (DoT)
DNS over HTTPS (DoH)

Attendees will gain practical insight into how DNS filtering works, why it remains relevant, and how encryption is reshaping both privacy and network security.

Speaker

Dr Joel Panther

Joel is a cybersecurity researcher, offensive security specialist, and educator with over 15 years of experience across system administration, penetration testing, and security consulting.

In his consulting work, Joel specialises in offensive security practices, including vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and security training. His approach bridges technical execution and strategic insight, combining hands-on exploitation techniques with a broader understanding of organisational risk.

Joel is an active contributor to the cybersecurity community as a speaker, mentor, and educator. He regularly presents on topics spanning security, privacy, and ethics. His work often explores the intersection of cybersecurity and societal impact, with a particular focus on emerging threats in areas such as artificial intelligence and cybercrime.

His PhD produced a framework for designing dynamically generated penetration testing laboratories, and his current research focuses on offensive security skills development. Joel is deeply committed to education and workforce development, supporting initiatives that strengthen pathways into the cybersecurity profession. He has led the design and delivery of CyberCX’s security testing training program, which provides early-career professionals with a structured blend of formal training and practical, real-world experience.

When he’s not in the basement hacking, he can be found at cybersecurity community events across Australia. Known as one of the top offensive security education voices in Australia.

Who Should Attend

Cybersecurity practitioners (offensive and defensive)
Network and system administrators
Privacy-conscious technologists
Students and early-career professionals
Anyone interested in practical, real-world cyber defence

Event Details

Date: 20th April 2026
Time: 5:30pm - 8pm
Venue: RMIT University – Building 80, Melbourne
Online: Livestream available
Cost: Free (registration required)

Event Schedule

5:30 – 5:40 PM: Welcome, Intro & Networking
5:40 – 6:00 PM: Networking & Cyber pizzas 🍕
6:00 – 6:45 PM: Presentation
6:45 – 8:00 PM: Discussions and Q&A

Thanks to Our Sponsors

RMIT University – World-class certificates, degrees, Masters and Postgraduate programs
BridgeLynk.io – Attack-informed cybersecurity services for NFP, SMB and Enterprise
CyLynk.com – Job-ready cybersecurity training led by expert coaches

What to Expect

Practical, real-world cybersecurity insights
Community-driven learning and discussion
Networking with peers across experience levels
Food and refreshments (in-person attendees)

About Hck4G

Hck4G is a not-for-profit organisation focused on disrupting the human impact of cybercrime through awareness, education, and community capability building. Diversion - Victim Support - Community Education.

Contact the host of Hck4G Meetup #0x15 "Stop Spying On Me!" – Disrupting Adversarial DNS Queries

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