YouTuber ChromaLock has taken on a project to create an internet-connected mod for the TI-84 that would break and disrupt classrooms everywhere. With a mix of ingenuity and electronics know-how, ChromaLock explores how to turn the humble calculator into a tool capable of bypassing anti-cheating measures.
DISCLAIMER : We do not encourage Academic Dishonesty, this is for educational purposes only.
The project starts out using the TI-84’s 2.5 mm port, which is usually employed for transferring data between calculators or PC. This provides ChromaLock with internet access by means of a Wi-Fi-enabled microcontroller (for example, Seed Studio ESP32 C3). This custom hardware mod allows students to not only search the web but also chat with peers or even download cheat sheets—right in the middle of a test.
With a combination of some software and clever hardware tricks, ChromaLock bypasses the security features in the calculator, even penetrating the dreaded “test mode”. This makes it the perfect tool for answering during exams in a way that can’t be seen visually, making it ideal for discreet use during exams. Once powered, users can access a series of applets, including ChatGPT for quick problem-solving, a chatroom for discussing answers with friends, and a browser for viewing cheat sheets or even motivational images.
Credit: ChromaLock