Introduction to Capture the Flag competitions
Learn the terms, rules, challenge process, and team habits that help a new participant start safely.
Read the guideLearn cybersecurity with clear, practical guides.
These original OmniCYBR resources are available to everyone. They explain necessary terms, safe practice, and repeatable methods. You do not need a Discord account to read them.
Start with one learning goal
If you are new to competitions, read the CTF introduction first. Then select one technical topic. Keep notes while you work and use only local practice files, purpose-built challenge systems, or systems that you have permission to test.
Web security basics for CTF learners
Understand requests, responses, input, sessions, and the evidence you should collect before you test a web challenge.
Read the guideCryptography basics for CTF learners
Learn how encoding, encryption, hashing, keys, and common patterns differ before you select a method.
Read the guideDigital forensics basics
Use a repeatable process to preserve a file, inspect metadata, identify its format, and record evidence.
Read the guideHow to write a useful CTF writeup
Turn notes into a clear explanation of the evidence, tests, solution, and learning result.
Read the guideHow to design a safe CTF challenge
Define a learning goal, create an authorized environment, test the solution, and prepare participant guidance.
Read the guideHow to use these resources
- Read the goal and the defined terms.
- Use the checklist to collect evidence.
- Practice only in an authorized environment.
- Record what you tested and what result you observed.
- Write a short explanation in your own words.
These guides are educational introductions. They do not replace the rules of a competition, the permission of a system owner, or professional security advice for a production service.