FAQ

Register on the scoreboard, join or create a team, and you're good to go. Once the event starts, challenges will unlock.

Nope. You can play solo or with a team. If you don't have one, feel free to form one with people at the event. Collaboration is the best way to learn.

Flags are in 1337speak, not the usual flag{...} format. Example: instead of flag{hotdog}, you'll submit something like h0td0g.

Enter them directly into the scoreboard for the corresponding challenge. If it's right, you'll get points instantly.

Feel free to ask an organizer. We'll do our best to help you without spoiling the challenge. We'll be more forthcoming with hints regarding the n00bs table challenges.

No sharing flags or full solutions between teams. General discussion and suffering learning together is encouraged. Please see the rules.

Anything goes—as long as it stays within the rules and doesn't disrupt the competition or infrastructure. See the rules for a note about AI tooling.

Nice. Don't exploit it to mess with other teams—report it to the organizers. You might get credit (and good karma).

Let the organizers know ASAP. We'll fix it as quickly as possible. Check the health dashboard before asking!

Yes (probably). Details will be announced during the event.

Yes. There should be a mix of difficulty levels, so whether you're new or experienced, you'll find something to work on.

Penalties range from point deductions to disqualification, depending on severity. Don't be a jerk. Full details in the rules.

Check the scoreboard for the official end time. Once it's over, submissions close and winners are finalized. If we're at a multi-day conference (like CackalackyCon), we leave the challenges up overnight but won't guarantee their stability until we've had our coffee in the morning.

Usually yes, after the event. Great chance to learn what you missed (or flex what you solved). Feel free to post a writeup if you feel inclined!