Capture The Flag
Capture the Flag is a major event at Defcon. It is a hacking competition where teams of hackers attempt to attack and defend computers and networks. CTF has been emulated at other hacking conferences as well as in academic and military contexts. Contestants are permitted to use almost any means necessary to win. From social hacks, such as hiring spies to look at other competitors, to digital hacks, the competition pushes the competitors to their technical limit. The game focuses heavily on reverse engineering, but sysadmin skills are invaluable for maintaining your defense. This is why teams typically consist of multiple members that specialize in certain fields.
Final Words
Defcon this year was a great success, filled with parties, pentests, and prizes. It is regretful that we were unable to cover the entire event, due to the reason why we almost didn’t have coverage at all (see Black Hat article). The coverage that we do have provides great information to the community. Remember that knowledge itself is not evil; it is the way people use it that can be. As the convention comes to a close, we encourage our readers to learn new things, as that’s what hacking is all about. That curiosity is what drives us to push ourselves to the limit and see exactly what we can accomplish. In closing, go forth and hack the planet.
