What is Capture The Flag?
Capture The Flag (CTF) is a cybersecurity competition where participants solve challenges to find hidden "flags" - usually strings of text that prove you've solved the problem. Think of it as a puzzle game for cybersecurity professionals and enthusiasts!
🎯 The Goal
Find the flag hidden in each challenge and submit it to earn points. The more challenges you solve, the higher your score!
How CTF Competitions Work
Browse Challenges
View available challenges organized by category and difficulty level.
Solve Problems
Use your cybersecurity skills to analyze, exploit, or reverse engineer the challenge.
Find the Flag
Discover the hidden flag (usually a string like AUCTF{flag_text_here}).
Submit & Score
Submit the flag to earn points and climb the leaderboard!
Types of CTF Competitions
🏆 Jeopardy Style
Most common format. Challenges are organized by category and difficulty. Solve any challenge you want!
- Web Security
- Cryptography
- Reverse Engineering
- Forensics
- OSINT
⚔️ Attack-Defense
Teams both attack other teams' systems and defend their own. More intense and realistic!
- Real-time competition
- Team-based
- Network security focus
- Live scoring
🏃 King of the Hill
Teams compete to maintain control of a specific system or service.
- Continuous competition
- System administration
- Persistence required
- Strategic gameplay
Why Participate in CTFs?
Learn by Doing
Hands-on experience with real-world cybersecurity challenges and tools.
Skill Development
Improve your technical skills in a fun, competitive environment.
Network & Collaborate
Meet like-minded people and build your professional network.
Career Benefits
CTF experience is highly valued by employers in cybersecurity roles.
Recognition
Compete for prizes and recognition in the cybersecurity community.
Problem Solving
Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that apply everywhere.
Common Challenge Categories
🌐 Web Security
Find vulnerabilities in websites and web applications
🔐 Cryptography
Decrypt messages and break encryption schemes
🔄 Reverse Engineering
Analyze programs to understand their functionality
🔍 Forensics
Analyze digital evidence to find hidden information
🔍 OSINT
Use open source intelligence to solve puzzles
🖥️ System Administration
Configure systems and solve infrastructure problems
Getting Started
Ready to try your first CTF? Here's how to get started:
- Register for the ACUCyS Christmas CTF
- Join our Discord to ask questions and get help
- Read the beginner guide for detailed tips and resources
- Start with easy challenges and work your way up
- Don't be afraid to ask for help - the community is friendly!