Since an early age, I have enjoyed puzzles such as the blue eyes, brainteasers by Martin Gardner and games like sudoku, picross or towers.
I also have a love for programming and computer security. What do you get when you put them all together?
Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions! In short, a CTF is a series of challenges that can often require knowledge of cryptography, steganography, reverse engineering, binary exploits and other security related skills. One of the best overviews is the Trail of bits CTF field guide.
Helpful tools for solving CTFs include:
- Kali Linux
- Python and various libraries including pwn tools
- Hopper
- Binary Ninja
- radare2
- GDB PEDA
- Hex editors (I use ghex or bless)
- Diff tools (I use meld)
- A good imagination! :)
To get started I recommend the following resources tha I have found helpful:
- Live overflow - excellent video tutorials
- hacker rank - helpful for sharpening your programming skills
- pwnable.kr/
- Over the wire
- Exploit exercises