TXRattler

https://medium.com/@txrattler/dont-call-it-training-if-you-ve-hidden-the-keys-92d157219869

Grinding CTFs lately. Here's the truth:

If I'm trying to get into cyber to make a living, the keys shouldn't be hidden.

CTFs aren't training—they're filtering. No hints, no structure, just “guess what I’m thinking.”

That’s not teaching. That’s gatekeeping.

#CTF #InfoSec #CyberSecurity #Hacking #OSINT #Gatekeeping #CyberJustice #TXRattlerWrites

Don’t Call It Training If You’ve Hidden the Keys - TxRattler - Medium

I’ve been grinding through CTFs lately — Capture the Flag challenges, for the uninitiated. They’re supposed to be fun, educational, even career-launching if you get good enough. But I’m starting to…

Medium
Jun 10, 2025 at 12:16amWeb
Show threadFunesJun 10, 2025
@TXRattler are you talking about something like the NCL where they have an individual competition? Because you should absolutely be looking things up and collaborating in CTFs. Are you playing alone?
Show threadTXRattlerJun 10, 2025
@funes Everything I’ve done so far has been solo. I’m still pretty new to all this, so I don’t feel like I have much to offer in a team setting yet—and I’d rather not slow anyone down. Right now I’m focused on building my own foundation. Once I know I can carry my own weight, I’ll be in a better place to collaborate.
Show threadtheHastyOneJun 10, 2025

@TXRattler I don't really view CTFs as training. In a way they can be but I feel like they are more the the test that you have studied for. I have a good understanding of network forensics and steganography. But how good are my skills really? this is the test to bench mark those skills particularly if I only have book level knowledge of them.

However finding open CTFs with good write-ups... Those can be training... but a CTF done live with a score board is a test that you should have studied for.

Show threadTXRattlerJun 11, 2025

@ahasty That makes sense, and I don’t disagree. I’ve been studying hard—solo, no class, no cohort, just me and the internet. I dig through write-ups, practice where I can, and try to reverse-engineer my way forward. But these live CTFs still feel like I’m being tested on material I didn’t even know existed. That’s the frustrating part—not the challenge itself, but feeling like I’m doing it in the dark.

I’d honestly welcome collaboration or just swapping notes with others. Feels like I’m building a ship while sailing it, and a crew would help.