ESP Biography



ERIC VAN ALBERT, Hacker, tinkerer, and urban explorer




Major: 6

College/Employer: MIT

Year of Graduation: 2014

Picture of Eric Van Albert

Brief Biographical Sketch:

I've always been fascinated with computers and electronics. I build and program things in my spare time. I also enjoy climbing, rappelling, and exploring abandoned buildings.



Past Classes

  (Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

X7777: It's Not Like in the Movies: An Introduction to Lockpicking in Splash! 2013 (Nov. 23 - 24, 2013)
We live in a world inherently vested in physical security. We use locks to protect most tangible things important to us. Dogs, cats, children, money. Learn how locks work by picking them apart. Or, maybe not apart.


E7783: Physical Security in Splash! 2013 (Nov. 23 - 24, 2013)
Learn the basics of how buildings are secured, how security measures are easily defeated, and how to fix these vulnerabilities. Hands-on class covers flaws in building construction, locks + keys, alarm systems, and electronic authentication. Also includes a short lockpicking seminar.


S7931: Chemistry of Explosions in Splash! 2013 (Nov. 23 - 24, 2013)
Learn what makes things go bang. Covers low-order explosives such as black powder, as well as primary, secondary, and tertiary high-order explosives such as RDX and TNT. Learn what chemicals go into making explosives and how they are safely manufactured.


E6974: Physical Security in Spark! 2013 (Mar. 16, 2013)
Learn the basics of how buildings are secured, how security measures are easily defeated, and how to fix these vulnerabilities. Hands-on class covers flaws in building construction, locks + keys, alarm systems, and electronic authentication. Also includes a short lockpicking seminar.


H7101: How to plan and execute covert operations in deep cover in Spark! 2013 (Mar. 16, 2013)
Learn the essentials of covert operations work. We will analyze the success and failure of many important covert operations in an attempt to discover the elements of a successful covert op. We will study important government-sponsored covert operations as well as terrorist plots and guerilla warfare. By the end of this class, students will be familiar with these operations and the reasons for their success or failure. We cannot legally claim that you will be sufficiently knowledgeable to plan and carry out your own covert operations after this class.


E7150: How do motors work, and how do I use one? in Spark! 2013 (Mar. 16, 2013)
Ever wanted to make something move? Motors are your answer. We'll give some overview of different types of motors, how they work, how to control them, and how to use them most effectively.


E6424: Physical Security in Splash! 2012 (Nov. 17 - 18, 2012)
Learn the basics of how buildings are secured, and how security measures are easily defeated. Hands-on class covers flaws in building construction, locks + keys, alarm systems, and electronic authentication. Also includes a short lockpicking seminar.


S6662: Chemistry of Explosions in Splash! 2012 (Nov. 17 - 18, 2012)
Learn what makes things go bang. Covers low-order explosives such as black powder, as well as primary, secondary, and tertiary high-order explosives such as RDX and TNT. Learn what chemicals go into making explosives and how they are safely manufactured.


H6664: How to plan and execute covert operations in deep cover in Splash! 2012 (Nov. 17 - 18, 2012)
Learn the essentials of covert operations work. We will analyze the success and failure of many important covert operations in an attempt to discover the elements of a successful covert op. We will study important government-sponsored covert operations as well as terrorist plots and guerilla warfare. By the end of this class, students will be familiar with these operations and the reasons for their success or failure. We cannot legally claim that you will be sufficiently knowledgeable to plan and carry out your own covert operations after this class.


E5079: Physical Security in Splash! 2011 (Nov. 19 - 20, 2011)
Learn the basics of how buildings are secured, how security measures are easily defeated, and how to fix these vulnerabilities. Hands-on class covers flaws in building construction, locks + keys, alarm systems, and electronic authentication. Also includes a short lockpicking seminar.


S5509: Chemistry of Explosions in Splash! 2011 (Nov. 19 - 20, 2011)
Learn what makes things go bang. Covers low-order explosives such as black powder, as well as primary, secondary, and tertiary high-order explosives such as RDX and TNT. Learn what chemicals go into making explosives and how they are safely manufactured. This class makes a three-part series with "How to plan and execute operations in deep cover" and "How to be on the run from people who are more powerful than you are."


H5513: How to plan and execute covert operations in deep cover in Splash! 2011 (Nov. 19 - 20, 2011)
Learn the essentials of covert operations work. We will analyze the success and failure of many important covert operations in an attempt to discover the elements of a successful covert op. We will study important government-sponsored covert operations as well as terrorist plots and guerilla warfare. By the end of this class, students will be familiar with these operations and the reasons for their success or failure. We cannot legally claim that you will be sufficiently knowledgeable to plan and carry out your own covert operations after this class.


A5515: How to be on the run from people who are more powerful than you are in Splash! 2011 (Nov. 19 - 20, 2011)
Did you piss off Michael Weston? A mob boss? The Feds? Come to this class to learn the essentials of running away and staying away from the man. Throw out your cellphones, pull out your fake passport and don your sunglasses, this class will cover how to stay low and stay on the run when you're in trouble and someone is out to get you. This class is part of a three part series with "How to plan and execute operations in deep cover" and "Chemistry of Explosions."


E4531: Physical Security in Spark! 2011 (Mar. 12, 2011)
Learn just how insecure the world around us is. Covers everything from social engineering to lock picking to RFID cards.


E3853: Physical Security in Splash! 2010 (Nov. 20 - 21, 2010)
Learn just how insecure the world around us is. Covers everything from social engineering to lock picking to RFID cards.


E3901: Electronics with Theory in Splash! 2010 (Nov. 20 - 21, 2010)
Learn electrical theory. Start out with Ohm's law, but finish with enough knowledge to build a computer from scratch. This intense lecture covers analog circuitry in the first hour, and digital circuitry in the second hour. No matter how much you think you know about electronics, you will learn something new.