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picoCTF 2023

March 14-28, 2023

picoCTF 2023 is open to anyone, with prizes available to eligible middle school, high school, and university student teams.

Register now

picoCTF is for everyone

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picoCTF gamifies learning hacking with capture-the-flag puzzles created by trusted computer security and privacy experts at Carnegie Mellon University.

About picoCTF

Through picoCTF, learners can:

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Learn

Gain knowledge about introductory through advanced level cybersecurity principles in our noncompetitive features the picoGym and the picoPrimer.

picoPrimer
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Practice

Build your CTF skills, help yourself advance your personal best score, and prepare for the big show using our mini Competitions to practice.

picoGym
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Compete

Join the world’s largest free hacking competition where you can compete for cash prizes, specialty awards, and a chance to visit Carnegie Mellon University.

Latest Competition
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Visualize

See yourself in a career in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity skills are in high demand in the workforce and the need grows as computers continue to be an integral part of everyday life.

CMU Education

Through picoCTF, teachers can:

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Facilitate

Monitor student or group progress when using the Classroom feature. Get real-time analytics on your team’s progress including the timestamp of the last challenge solved.

Teacher's Guide
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Play

Don’t be afraid to join in the fun and play at your own pace to test your cybersecurity knowledge or learn a new skill. The cyber security topics in picoCTF include introductory level concepts progressing to mastery level.

Sign Up

Introducing the picoGym

picoGym

picoGym is a noncompetitive practice space where you can explore and solve challenges from previously released picoCTF competitions, find fresh never before revealed challenges, and build a knowledge base of cyber security skills in a safe environment.

Whether you are a cyber security professional, competitive hacker or new to CTFs you will find interesting challenges in the picoGym that you can solve at your own pace. Team picoCTF will regularly update this challenge repository so visit the picoGym often.

Practice picoGym

Upcoming event

picoCTF 2023

This is a two-week long timed CTF competition. Challenges increase in difficulty as players progress. All are welcome to join, but this CTF is recommended for players with some programming knowledge. Players with no previous programming or CTF experience should start with our noncompetitive picoGym challenges.

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Sign up for a picoCTF.org account at anytime.

  • Feb 1, 2023 - registration opens
  • March 14, 2023 12:00 PM EST - CTF opens
  • March 28, 2023 3:00 PM EST - CTF closes

checklist icon Eligibility

Open to everyone:

  • Existing or new accounts at picoCTF.org
  • Age 13+
  • Prizes and awards may have requirements. See competition rules for details.

picoCTF would like to thank our sponsors for providing funds for continued development.

Learn More

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Our Sponsors

CATEGORY SPONSORS

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SPONSORS

ForAllSecure Algorand logo Boeing logo Ford logo General Motors logo SAP logo

Development of the picoCTF platform was made possible by generous gifts and grants from:

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DDoS Protection Solutions generously provided by:

CloudFlare

Challenge resources provided by:

OtterSec

Web design resources provided by:

Creative Tim

Support Free Cybersecurity Education

picoCTF relies on generous donations to run. So far we've reached over 350,000 learners across the world.

Consider making a gift or contacting our sponsorship team.

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