Capture-The-Flag 101

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An introduction to Capture-The-Flag (CTF) with easy challenges and tips on how to approach them.

The objective of this workshop is to dive into Capture-The-Flag (CTF) competitions. First, by introducing participants to the basic concepts. Then, by helping them prepare for the upcoming NorthSec CTF, and, finally, evolve in their practice of applied cybersecurity.

We will have easy and medium CTF challenges in several categories (binaries, Web, exploitation, forensics) and we will give hints and solutions during the workshop.

This is meant to be for CTF first timers. Seasoned players should play NorthSec's official CTF.

Participants should bring:
  • a laptop
  • a programming language of choice (it's usually Python)
  • wireshark
  • a web assesment security tool (Burp, ZAP, Watobo, mitmproxy)
  • a disassembler / decompiler (Radare2, Ghidra, IDA Pro)

Olivier Bilodeau Cybersecurity Research Lead, GoSecure

Olivier Bilodeau is leading the Cybersecurity Research team at GoSecure. With more than 13 years of infosec experience, he enjoys luring malware operators into his traps, writing tools for malware research and vulnerability research. Olivier is a passionate communicator having spoken at several conferences including BlackHat, Defcon, Botconf, NorthSec, Derbycon, and HackFest. Invested in his community, he co-founded MontréHack, a monthly workshop focused on hands-on CTF problem solving, and NorthSec, a large non-profit conference and CTF based in Montreal which you may have heard of.