Starting your cyber security journey can feel overwhelming. What should you learn first? How do you practice safely? The best answer in 2025 remains simple: Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges.
CTFs replicate real world attacks and breaches. When major organisations get hacked and make headlines, there are often CTFs that let you experience exactly how those attacks unfolded. It's never too early to start with CTFs. You don't need years of experience, you can jump in with basic knowledge and learn as you go. They aren't just for practicing existing skills, they're learning tools that show you exactly how real cyberattacks work.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Beginner CTFs naturally train the exact competencies employers seek:
- Network Scanning & Enumeration: using tools like Nmap
- Web Application Testing: with OWASP-aligned practices and automation
- Linux Command Line Proficiency: navigation, file permissions, privilege escalation
- Problem-Solving Under Pressure: working logically through constraints
Top Beginner CTF Challenges in 2025
Here are some of the most beginner-friendly CTFs we've created - designed to be accessible even for 12-year-olds just starting their cybersecurity journey. If you're a complete beginner, these are perfect starting points:
- Pickel Rick: Learn web enumeration and command injection techniques.
- Basic Pentesting: Master network scanning and SSH brute forcing.
- RootMe: Practice file upload bypass and privilege escalation.
- Simple CTF: Develop basic reconnaissance and credential discovery skills.
- Bounty Hacker: Understand network scanning and sudo rights abuse.
- LazyAdmin: Explore web directory discovery and CMS exploitation.
Tips for CTF Success
- Start Small: Gain confidence with easier rooms before tackling advanced ones.
- Keep Notes: Document commands and lessons to build your personal knowledge base.
- Join Communities: Join TryHackMe Discord group, Explore Reddit, and other cyber security forums
- Stay Consistent: Practicing one challenge per week builds stronger retention than occasional bursts.
- Use Hints Wisely: Many beginners worry that consulting walkthroughs or hints is "cheating", it's not. The key difference lies in your approach. Simply copying answers teaches you nothing, but using walkthroughs to identify knowledge gaps, researching those concepts thoroughly, then attempting the challenge again creates real learning. Every expert has been stuck, persistence and strategic learning are part of the process.
What Comes Next After Beginner CTFs?
Once you've captured your first few flags, you'll be ready to advance into:
- Competitive CTFs and cyber leagues
- Building professional skills through advanced labs and real world scenarios to prepare for eventual certifications like SAL1 & PT1
- Career roles in penetration testing or security analysis
The skills you learn from CTFs in 2025 directly map to real-world cyber security defense. Every professional started with the same first steps you're about to take.
Shivam Kumar Singh