Resources and Setup

Course systems

• Course website: syllabus, schedule, lecture slides, and public resources
• Course console: lab instructions, assigned systems, and the lab workflow
• Canvas: quizzes, exams, grades, and other course administration
• Discussion board: questions, announcements, and troubleshooting; Fall 2026 link forthcoming
• Shared Drive: working source for lecture slides; reviewed public links will be added to the schedule

Course console access

Students will receive an individual invitation to the course console before the first lecture-and-lab meeting. Use that invitation to activate your account, then log in at console.hacklab.info. Do not create a second account, share an invitation, or share console credentials.

If the invitation has not arrived by the day before the first class, check the email account associated with your course enrollment and its spam folder, then contact the instructional team. Course targets and lab instructions will not be published on this public website.

Laptop preparation

Students need a current Windows, macOS, or Linux laptop and administrative access to install approved course clients. Before the first class:

1. Install current operating-system and browser security updates.
2. Confirm that you can install software and connect to Stanford’s network.
3. Create a dedicated browser profile for course proxy and certificate work; do not use a personal everyday profile.
4. Keep full-disk encryption and a screen lock enabled.
5. Wait for the Fall 2026 console instructions before installing remote-access clients or importing any certificate authority.

Working safely

Course tools may alter proxy, DNS, certificate, firewall, or virtual-machine settings. Record changes as you make them, never expose course credentials in screenshots or discussion posts, and restore the original settings during lab cleanup.

If you are unsure whether a target or action is authorized, stop and ask the instructional team before proceeding.