CTF for Beginners: The Complete Guide to Getting Started

Learn how to begin your Capture The Flag journey with this comprehensive beginner’s guide

New to CTFs? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to start solving your first challenges!

What is a CTF?

Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions are cybersecurity challenges where participants solve various security-related problems to find hidden “flags.” These flags are typically strings of text that prove you’ve solved the challenge. CTFs are excellent for learning practical cybersecurity skills in a fun, competitive environment.

Types of CTF Competitions

There are several formats of CTF competitions:

1. Jeopardy-Style CTFs

The most common format, featuring different categories of challenges with varying point values. Categories include:

  • Web Exploitation
  • Binary Exploitation
  • Cryptography
  • Forensics
  • Reverse Engineering
  • Miscellaneous

2. Attack-Defense CTFs

Teams both defend their own systems and attack others’ systems simultaneously.

3. Mixed CTFs

Combine elements of both Jeopardy and Attack-Defense formats.

Essential Skills for CTF Beginners

While you don’t need to be an expert to start, having some foundational skills will help:

1. Basic Linux Commands

Most CTFs are done in Linux environments. Know these essential commands:

ls       # List directory contents
cd       # Change directory
cat      # Display file contents
grep     # Search for patterns in files
chmod    # Change file permissions
ssh      # Connect to remote systems
curl/wget # Download files from the web
Kali Linux Cheat sheet

2. Programming Basics

Understanding Python and Bash scripting will be extremely helpful:

  • Python (for scripting and exploit development)
  • Bash (for automation and quick tasks)
  • Basic understanding of C (for binary challenges)
Programming Basics

3. Networking Fundamentals

Understand basic networking concepts:

  • IP addresses and ports
  • HTTP/HTTPS protocols
  • TCP vs UDP
  • DNS basics
Learn Networking

Best CTF Platforms for Beginners

Here are the best platforms to start your CTF journey:

1. TryHackMe

Why it’s great for beginners: Structured learning paths with guided CTF rooms that explain concepts as you go.

Getting started: Begin with the “Complete Beginner” path, then try the “CTF” path.

Visit TryHackMe

2. Hack The Box

Why it’s great: Offers both guided challenges and standalone machines to hack.

Beginner recommendation: Start with “Starting Point” machines which are designed for beginners.

Visit Hack The Box

3. OverTheWire: Bandit

Why it’s great: A series of Linux command line challenges that teach essential skills.

Perfect for: Absolute beginners who need to learn Linux basics.

Visit Bandit

4. picoCTF

Why it’s great: Designed specifically for beginners and younger students.

Special feature: Annual competition with archived challenges available year-round.

Visit picoCTF

5. CTFlearn

Why it’s great: Large collection of challenges with a helpful community.

Beginner tip: Filter challenges by “Easy” difficulty to start.

Visit CTFlearn

Essential Tools for CTFs

These tools will help you solve most beginner CTF challenges:

1. General Purpose Tools

  • Kali Linux: Pre-installed with most tools you’ll need
  • Burp Suite: For web application testing
  • Wireshark: Network protocol analyzer
  • Ghidra: Reverse engineering tool

2. Web Exploitation

  • Browser Developer Tools: Built into Chrome/Firefox
  • curl: Command line HTTP client
  • SQLmap: Automated SQL injection tool

3. Cryptography

  • CyberChef: Web-based tool for various crypto operations
  • openssl: Command line crypto toolkit

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CTF Challenge Categories Explained

Understanding the different types of challenges will help you approach them effectively:

1. Web Challenges

These involve finding vulnerabilities in web applications. Common techniques:

  • SQL Injection
  • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
  • Directory Traversal
  • Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)

Beginner tip: Always check the page source and network requests first.

2. Cryptography

These challenges involve breaking or reverse-engineering cryptographic systems:

  • Classical ciphers (Caesar, Vigenère)
  • Modern encryption (AES, RSA)
  • Hash cracking

Beginner tip: Look for patterns and known vulnerabilities in implementations.

3. Forensics

Analyzing files or systems to find hidden information:

  • File analysis (binwalk, strings)
  • Memory dump analysis
  • Steganography (hidden data in images)

Beginner tip: Always check file headers and try basic tools first.

4. Binary Exploitation

Finding vulnerabilities in compiled programs:

  • Buffer overflows
  • Format string vulnerabilities
  • Return-oriented programming (ROP)

Beginner tip: Start with simple stack-based buffer overflows.

5. Reverse Engineering

Understanding how a program works by examining its code:

  • Disassembling binaries
  • Decompiling
  • Dynamic analysis with debuggers

Beginner tip: Look for strings and obvious function names first.

CTF Strategies for Beginners

Follow these strategies to improve your CTF performance:

1. Read the Challenge Carefully

Many CTF challenges contain hints in their descriptions. Look for unusual capitalization, strange phrases, or anything that stands out.

2. Start with Easy Challenges

Build confidence by solving the easiest challenges first. Many CTFs sort challenges by difficulty.

3. Work in a Team

Join a team or find a study partner. Different people have different strengths that complement each other.

4. Take Notes

Keep detailed notes of solutions and techniques. You’ll encounter similar challenges in future CTFs.

5. Learn from Write-ups

After trying a challenge, read write-ups to learn new techniques. But always try yourself first!

Recommended Learning Resources

Supplement your CTF practice with these learning materials:

Books

  • “Hacking: The Art of Exploitation” by Jon Erickson
  • “Web Application Hacker’s Handbook” by Dafydd Stuttard
  • “Practical Malware Analysis” by Michael Sikorski

Online Courses

  • Cybrary’s free ethical hacking courses
  • Offensive Security’s PEN-100 (for absolute beginners)
  • INE’s eJPT preparation course

YouTube Channels

  • LiveOverflow
  • John Hammond
  • ippsec
  • Null Byte
  • The Cyber Mentor
Important: Only practice hacking on systems you own or have explicit permission to test. Unauthorized hacking is illegal.

Your CTF Learning Path

Here’s a suggested path to progress from beginner to intermediate:

  1. Complete OverTheWire Bandit (Linux basics)
  2. Try picoCTF or CTFlearn easy challenges
  3. Work through TryHackMe’s beginner paths
  4. Attempt Hack The Box starting point machines
  5. Participate in a live CTF competition
  6. Specialize in 1-2 categories you enjoy most
Start Your CTF Journey Today

The best time to start is now!

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I'm passionate about technology, coding. I've been interested in computers since I was a kid. My favorite programming languages are python and JavaScript

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