New course: Cyber Security for kids, with a CTF finale
· version v4
Kids crack Caesar ciphers, program a firewall, explore Linux like a detective and capture the flag in 10 hands-on cyber security levels for ages 11–14.
Cyber security is one of the most in-demand skills in the world, and it starts with understanding how attackers think so you can defend against them. The new Cyber Security course completes our set of four courses for ages 11–14.
What kids do
- build a cipher machine from blocks and encrypt a message with the Caesar cipher
- decrypt an intercepted spy message that was shifted and reversed
- try all 25 keys at once and see why a short key is weak
- program a firewall: let the school website and email through, block remote desktop attacks and strange ports, and log them
- explore a Linux computer with
ls,cd,catandpwdto find a hidden flag - uncover hidden files with
ls -a - spot social engineering: fake IT support, a USB stick in the parking lot, tailgating and a fake text from Mom
- tell safe email attachments from dangerous ones like
invoice.pdf.exe - put together a backup routine that defeats ransomware
- solve a final CTF challenge that combines the command line and decryption
Defense first
Everything in the course is about defending: recognizing tricks, closing doors and keeping data safe. At the end we point curious kids to real beginner challenges such as picoCTF and OverTheWire: Bandit, with one clear rule: only practice on your own systems or where you have permission.
As always, the first three levels are free, and the course takes about two lessons.
Try HexoQuest
The first 3 levels are free. Teachers and parents get a 30-day free trial.