// Start Here
CTF Basics
Foundation knowledge every participant should master before competing
Official CTF 101 guide — everything from flag formats to categories explained
Understanding CTF{...} flag structures and common submission formats
Essential terminal commands every CTF player must know
Kali Linux, VirtualBox, and toolchain setup for competitive hacking
TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP/S — the foundation of network security challenges
Write automation scripts, decoders, and exploit scaffolding in Python
// Arsenal
Recommended Tools
12 tools in all categories
Burp Suite
Web SecurityIndustry-standard proxy for intercepting, modifying, and replaying HTTP/S traffic. Essential for any web CTF challenge.
Wireshark
ForensicsGUI-based network protocol analyzer. Decode PCAP files, inspect layers, and reconstruct sessions with ease.
Ghidra
Reverse Eng.NSA's powerful open-source reverse engineering suite. Decompile, analyze, and disassemble binary executables.
CyberChef
CryptographyThe Cyber Swiss Army Knife — encode, decode, encrypt, decrypt, and analyze data from your browser instantly.
John the Ripper
CryptographyHigh-speed password cracking with dictionary, brute-force, and hybrid attack modes for hash cracking challenges.
Volatility
ForensicsAdvanced memory forensics framework for extracting digital artifacts from RAM dumps and memory images.
pwntools
Binary ExploitationCTF framework and exploit dev library for Python. Automate binary exploitation, shellcoding, and ROP chains.
Maltego
OSINTVisual link analysis and intelligence-gathering platform. Connect open-source data for digital investigations.
IDA Free
Reverse Eng.The gold standard disassembler for reverse engineering binaries. IDA Free covers most CTF architecture targets.
Aircrack-ng
Web SecurityNetwork security suite for monitoring, attacking, and auditing WiFi security — classic wireless CTF toolkit.
Shodan
OSINTSearch engine for Internet-connected devices. Discover exposed services, banners, and vulnerabilities instantly.
Hashcat
CryptographyWorld's fastest GPU-accelerated password recovery tool. Supports 300+ hash types with advanced attack modes.
// Training Grounds
Practice Platforms
Competing platforms used by millions of security professionals worldwide
picoCTF
Free cybersecurity game by Carnegie Mellon University. Best starting point for CTF newcomers.
TryHackMe
Gamified cybersecurity training rooms with browser-based VMs. Learn hacking in guided, bite-sized modules.
HackTheBox
Elite hacking lab platform with realistic VMs, seasonal ProLabs, and a competitive global ranking system.
OverTheWire
Classic Linux wargames covering shell basics (Bandit) all the way to system exploitation (Narnia, Leviathan).
CTFtime
Global CTF event calendar and scoreboard. Track upcoming competitions, writeups, and team rankings.
Root Me
French-origin platform with 450+ challenges across Web, Network, Forensics, Reverse Engineering, and more.
// Video Learning
Tutorial Videos
7 videos · hand-picked by experienced CTF players
CTF Fundamentals: Where to Start
by John Hammond
Web Security Crash Course for CTFs
by LiveOverflow
Cryptography Basics for CTF
by CryptoCat
Memory Forensics with Volatility
by 13Cubed
Binary Exploitation / Pwn Tutorial
by ir0nstone
Reverse Engineering: Ghidra Guide
by GhidraHeadless
OSINT Masterclass: Digital Investigation
by OSINT Dojo
// Learn from the Best
Writeup Resources
Study how winning teams solved past CTF challenges step-by-step
All listed resources are free or offer free tiers suitable for student participants · Last refreshed: 2:49:05 am