Mastodawn

Get ready!! @BSidesLV 2026 is coming this August, and so is Pros V Joes!

We're cooking up some special surprises for the players this year to add to the fun and learning that always awaits our players. Come and get hands on experience with offense and defense, as either a Joe or a Pro.

Apply here!! Apply now!!

Call for Joes: https://forms.gle/wpdYZeAQj13LcFtm8

Call for Pros: https://forms.gle/6chrSMQ2ERisc6xp8

BSidesLV 2026 PvJ CTF Sign-up for Joes

Calling All Joes! Joe registration for the BSides LV Pros V Joes competition is now open! Pros V Joes website: http://prosversusjoes.net/ Before you fill out the form, read this part. Seriously. PvJ is not a drop-in event. This is a multi-day commitment, and your team will be counting on you to be there. Monday, August 3 — Day 1. Full defense. Red Cell is coming for your network all day long. Tuesday, August 4 — Day 2. Defense AND offense. You'll be going after the other Joe teams while still keeping your own house in order. Wednesday, August 5 — Extended post-game debrief and other activities. We've had folks sign up in past years not realizing the time involved, and it hurts their team when they can't be there. If you can't commit to all three days, that's okay — we'll be back. But if you're in, be in. What is the Pros V Joes CTF? This event is an opportunity for average users (Joes) to try their hand at both the defensive and offensive side of computer security. As a Joe you will learn from seasoned professionals who will lead and mentor you as you develop the skills to protect your network. You’ll also have the opportunity to work with a seasoned penetration tester/hacker who will start you on the path developing those skills. For the Pro's, it's a chance to hone and show off their skills, helping others to learn and better themselves. It's a lot of fun, no matter which side you’re on. Joes are split up into teams, each with a Pro captain and co-captain, then given their own network to defend against the Red Cell. Each team's network comes complete with all of the services, servers, and desktops common to a corporate environment today. Your mission is to secure the systems, maintain business-critical services, find the Red Cell, and expel them while keeping them from getting back in. Of course, there will be more than a few surprises... For two days, players will attack and defend in live networks, breaking into each other's systems to steal flags for fame and glory. For the first day, Joes are completely defensive, and on day two, Joes will both defend and attack the other Joe teams. Each team is provided with their own network that is full of servers and workstations to defend. All of this gear is housed in a dedicated and isolated network that we affectionately call the Gaming Grid. Players need only to connect to the environment over VPN. (Players' personal machines will not be in the line of fire, if you follow the rules... ;-) The environment to host this CTF is currently undergoing active construction and will be laced with various surprises to keep the game interesting. The networks that the Blue Teams must defend will be a mix of Windows and Linux, with the typical Internet services (web, DNS, mail, etc) and maybe more obscure systems and services. At the end, a winning team will be announced. A note on the application I'd like to ask each Joe applicant to please respond with a bit of information about yourself - your background, your level of experience, and your area of expertise. This information will help us balance the teams to make for a fun and exciting game for all. It will help us and your team if you are brutally honest with your self-estimate, but don’t let imposter syndrome cause you to underestimate your experience and skills, either. Try to be fair to yourself. Don’t feel too intimidated to apply, you can’t join and learn if you don’t send in the form! Technical Requirements To play in this game, you will need to bring a laptop. This laptop will need to connect to the Pros V Joes game environment through a VPN. The laptop should not be in the line of fire, but it will be your interface into the game environment. We strongly recommend against using work equipment, as corporate hardening can cause problems during the game, such as installing the VPN software required. What happens next? In the days and weeks ahead, should you be selected to play, you’ll be contacted by your Pro Captain and co-Captain. As we get closer to the event, we'll refine the rules and I'll work with each of you to provision your VPN access to the CTF Network, so that you can become familiar with it. We will not share your responses with anyone besides our Blue captains. Questions? Lastly, if anyone has questions, comments, or suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact me on https://infosec.exchange/@dichotomy. We have a whole team building and running this CTF. We’re very open to new ideas, and think a group collaboration can only make this event better. Thanks, ~dichotomy

Google Docs

Dichotomy Oct 23, 2025

With the coming of the cool Autumn air and changing leaves, that can only mean that @@BSidesDE is coming your way, and so is Pros V Joes!

As ever, our live-fire CTF will be at one of the first BSides to ever be! Join the red vs blue fun to learn while chaos reigns.

Apply here!! Apply now!!

Call for Joes: https://forms.gle/7SUC3ruHTmVYzwTr6

Call for Pros: https://forms.gle/1L2WcSMkrzMKXksC6

BSidesDE 2025 PvJ CTF Sign-up for Joes

Calling All Joes! Joe registration for the BSidesDE 2025 Pros V Joes competition is now open! If you apply to play our game and are accepted, that DOES NOT MEAN you get a conference ticket! You will need to purchase a ticket with BSides DE. The game will be held on November 14 - 15 at BSidesDE in the Fintech Innovation Hub, University of Delaware. Pros V Joes website: http://prosversusjoes.net/ BsidesDE website: https://bsidesdelaware.com/ What is the Pros V Joes CTF? This event is an opportunity for average users (Joes) to try their hand at both the defensive and offensive side of computer security. As a Joe you will learn from seasoned professionals who will lead and mentor you as you develop the skills to protect your network. You’ll also have the opportunity to work with a seasoned penetration tester/hacker who will start you on the path developing those skills. For the Pro's, it's a chance to hone and show off their skills, helping others to learn and better themselves. It's a lot of fun, no matter which side you’re on. Joes are split up into teams, each with a Pro captain and co-captain, then given their own network to defend against the Red Cell. Each team's network comes complete with all of the services, servers, and desktops common to a corporate environment today. Your mission is to secure the systems, maintain business-critical services, find the Red Cell, and expel them while keeping them from getting back in. Of course, there will be more than a few surprises... Each team is provided with their own network that is full of servers and workstations to defend. All of this gear is housed in a dedicated and isolated network that we affectionately call the Gaming Grid. Players need only bring a laptop to connect to the environment over VPN with. Please note that RJ45 cat5 or 6 connections are required. (Laptops will not be in the line of fire, if you follow the rules... ;-) The environment to host this CTF is currently undergoing active construction and will be laced with various surprises to keep the game interesting. The networks that the Blue Teams must defend will be a mix of Windows and Linux, with the typical Internet services (web, DNS, mail, etc) and maybe more obscure systems and services. At the end, a winning team will be announced. I'd like to ask each Joe applicant to please respond with a bit of background about yourself - your background, your level of experience, and your area of expertise. This information will help us balance the teams to make for a fun and exciting game for all. It will help us and your team if you are brutally honest with your self-estimate, but don’t let imposter syndrome cause you to underestimate your experience and skills, either. Try to be fair to yourself. Don’t feel too intimidated to apply, you can’t join and learn if you don’t send in the form! In the days and weeks ahead, should you be selected to play, you’ll be contacted by your Pro Captain and co-Captain. Applicants who are selected will be expected to work with the rest of their team to prepare for the event. As we get closer to the event, we will provision your VPN access to the CTF Network so that you can become familiar with it. Lastly, if anyone has questions, comments, or suggestions, please don't hesitate to tweet me @dichotomy1. We have a whole team building and running this CTF. We’re very open to new ideas, and think a group collaboration can only make this event better. Thanks, ~dichotomy

Google Docs

Dichotomy Oct 21, 2025

Glitch416 Oct 21, 2025

RE: https://infosec.exchange/@dichotomy/115409390346446950

Dichotomy Aug 26, 2025

Start spreadin' the news! @BSidesNYC 2025 is coming your way, and so is Pros V Joes!

We're thrilled to have been invited back for our second year at this amazing BSides. Join the red vs blue fun to learn while chaos reigns.

Apply here!! Apply now!!

Call for Joes: https://forms.gle/N2FVjC7EBedUBz2P8

Call for Pros: https://forms.gle/JxSSipN8AdeSgjVu9

BSidesNYC 2025 PvJ CTF Sign-up for Joes

Calling All Joes! Joe registration for the BSidesNYC 2025 Pros V Joes competition is now open! If you apply to play our game and are accepted, that DOES NOT MEAN you get a conference ticket! You will need to purchase a ticket through EventBrite, using the code we will provide you. The game will be held on October 18 at BSidesNYC in the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, starting in the morning and running into the afternoon. Pros V Joes website: http://prosversusjoes.net/ BsidesNYC website: https://bsidesnyc.org What is the Pros V Joes CTF? This event is an opportunity for average users (Joes) to try their hand at both the defensive and offensive side of computer security. As a Joe you will learn from seasoned professionals who will lead and mentor you as you develop the skills to protect your network. You’ll also have the opportunity to work with a seasoned penetration tester/hacker who will start you on the path developing those skills. For the Pro's, it's a chance to hone and show off their skills, helping others to learn and better themselves. It's a lot of fun, no matter which side you’re on. Joes are split up into teams, each with a Pro captain and co-captain, then given their own network to defend against the Red Cell. Each team's network comes complete with all of the services, servers, and desktops common to a corporate environment today. Your mission is to secure the systems, maintain business-critical services, find the Red Cell, and expel them while keeping them from getting back in. Of course, there will be more than a few surprises... Each team is provided with their own network that is full of servers and workstations to defend. All of this gear is housed in a dedicated and isolated network that we affectionately call the Gaming Grid. Players need only bring a laptop to connect to the environment over VPN with. Please note that RJ45 cat5 or 6 connections are required. (Laptops will not be in the line of fire, if you follow the rules... ;-) The environment to host this CTF is currently undergoing active construction and will be laced with various surprises to keep the game interesting. The networks that the Blue Teams must defend will be a mix of Windows and Linux, with the typical Internet services (web, DNS, mail, etc) and maybe more obscure systems and services. At the end, a winning team will be announced. I'd like to ask each Joe applicant to please respond with a bit of background about yourself - your background, your level of experience, and your area of expertise. This information will help us balance the teams to make for a fun and exciting game for all. It will help us and your team if you are brutally honest with your self-estimate, but don’t let imposter syndrome cause you to underestimate your experience and skills, either. Try to be fair to yourself. Don’t feel too intimidated to apply, you can’t join and learn if you don’t send in the form! In the days and weeks ahead, should you be selected to play, you’ll be contacted by your Pro Captain and co-Captain. Applicants who are selected will be expected to work with the rest of their team to prepare for the event. As we get closer to the event, we will provision your VPN access to the CTF Network so that you can become familiar with it. Lastly, if anyone has questions, comments, or suggestions, please don't hesitate to tweet me @dichotomy1. We have a whole team building and running this CTF. We’re very open to new ideas, and think a group collaboration can only make this event better. Thanks, ~dichotomy

Google Docs

Dichotomy Jul 29, 2025

Do you want a CTF with a twist?

Exposure to red & blue team ops in a live cyber-range?

Try the PvJ Grey Team!

The Grey team is returning to our BSIDESLV event to add a higher degree of realism to the game.

Seats are limited! Hurry!

BSLV 2025 Pros vs Joes CTF Gray Reg

Are you interested in a novel outside of the box way of participating in a CTF? Would you like to gain firsthand exposure to red & blue team operations in a live cyber-range environment? Then look no further than the PvJ Grey Team! We are pleased to announce that the Grey team will be returning this year @ BSIDESLV as a game mechanic to add a higher degree of realism to the game. As the Red & Blue teams battle for control of the range the Grey Team will be playing the part of the business utilizing these resources. Some of the tasks the grey team will be performing include: Playing a CTF within a CTF, solving puzzles using the resources that Blue teams need to keep running Validating that services are being secured and/or restored by the Blue teams to usable states Participating in social engineering efforts Playing the part of the malicious insider Causing general mischief Participating in the hotwash after the event to learn about offensive and defensive actions taken. If you are looking to better understand the insider threats that face your organization or are simply looking to get your feet wet in your first CTF then look no further!

Google Docs

Dichotomy May 3, 2025

It's time! @BSidesLV 2025 is coming soon, and so is Pros V Joes!

With BSides going for an extra half day, this year, that means we can bring you that much more learning and fun! New and exciting stuff will be part of the PvJ experience in Vegas.

Apply here!! Apply now!!

Call for Joes: https://forms.gle/pdDTs9ft8PWG2cvQA

Call for Pros: https://forms.gle/9LDubL8mNTBjvRUi6

BSidesLV 2025 PvJ CTF Sign-up for Joes

Calling All Joes! Joe registration for the BSides LV Pros V Joes competition is now open! Pros V Joes website: http://prosversusjoes.net/ (Please note the game is on Monday, August 4 and Tuesday, August 5, with an extended post-game debrief and other activiites on Wednesday, August 6) What is the Pros V Joes CTF? This event is an opportunity for average users (Joes) to try their hand at both the defensive and offensive side of computer security. As a Joe you will learn from seasoned professionals who will lead and mentor you as you develop the skills to protect your network. You’ll also have the opportunity to work with a seasoned penetration tester/hacker who will start you on the path developing those skills. For the Pro's, it's a chance to hone and show off their skills, helping others to learn and better themselves. It's a lot of fun, no matter which side you’re on. Joes are split up into teams, each with a Pro captain and co-captain, then given their own network to defend against the Red Cell. Each team's network comes complete with all of the services, servers, and desktops common to a corporate environment today. Your mission is to secure the systems, maintain business-critical services, find the Red Cell, and expel them while keeping them from getting back in. Of course, there will be more than a few surprises... For two days, players will attack and defend in live networks, breaking into each other's systems to steal flags for fame and glory. For the first day, Joes are completely defensive, and on day two, Joes will both defend and attack the other Joe teams. Each team is provided with their own network that is full of servers and workstations to defend. All of this gear is housed in a dedicated and isolated network that we affectionately call the Gaming Grid. Players need only to connect to the environment over VPN. (Players' personal machines will not be in the line of fire, if you follow the rules... ;-) You can’t join and learn if you don’t send in the form! The environment to host this CTF is currently undergoing active construction and will be laced with various surprises to keep the game interesting. The networks that the Blue Teams must defend will be a mix of Windows and Linux, with the typical Internet services (web, DNS, mail, etc) and maybe more obscure systems and services. At the end, a winning team will be announced. I'd like to ask each Joe applicant to please respond with a bit of information about yourself - your background, your level of experience, and your area of expertise. This information will help us balance the teams to make for a fun and exciting game for all. It will help us and your team if you are brutally honest with your self-estimate, but don’t let imposter syndrome cause you to underestimate your experience and skills, either. Try to be fair to yourself. Don’t feel too intimidated to apply, you can’t join and learn if you don’t send in the form! In the days and weeks ahead, should you be selected to play, you’ll be contacted by your Pro Captain and co-Captain. As we get closer to the event, we'll refine the rules and I'll work with each of you to provision your VPN access to the CTF Network, so that you can become familiar with it. We will not share your responses with anyone besides our Blue captains. Lastly, if anyone has questions, comments, or suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact me on https://infosec.exchange/@dichotomy. We have a whole team building and running this CTF. We’re very open to new ideas, and think a group collaboration can only make this event better. Thanks, ~dichotomy

Google Docs

Dichotomy Feb 21, 2025

BSides Las Vegas Feb 21, 2025

Mentoring guarantees a badge. Would you like to know more?

https://pretalx.com/security-bsides-las-vegas-2025/cfp

Security BSides Las Vegas 2025

Schedule, talks and talk submissions for Security BSides Las Vegas 2025

Dichotomy Feb 21, 2025

BSides312 Feb 20, 2025

Are you looking for a way to support the #Infosec Community? Why not sponsor a #BSides? We at #BSides312 are looking for sponsors for our event on June 1, 2025 in Chicago. We have levels for all, and you can even do a personal donation.
Go to https://buff.ly/41jnaXU for more info.

BSides312 2026 — Chicago's Security BSides Hacking Conference | May 16

BSides312 is Chicago's Security BSides event — a non-profit hacker & cybersecurity conference in Chicago, IL. May 16, 2026 at the Irish American Heritage Center.

BSides312

Dichotomy Oct 13, 2024

Jack Daniel (often offline)Oct 13, 2024

Oh, so your corporation wants to support hurricane relief?
How much are you donating?
Oh, you want me to "pitch in"?

Tell ya what assfaces, how about I do what I can the way I want to, and maybe you stop destroying the environment and our future?
What about that, you fucking scumbags?

Dichotomy Oct 13, 2024

Michał Narecki Oct 13, 2024

A quick note on #Signal vs #WhatsApp debate ⬇️

https://writefreely.pl/privacymatters/why-you-shouldnt-use-whatsapp

#PrivacyMatters

Why you shouldn't use WhatsApp

Why you won't find me on WhatsApp and why you shouldn't use it yourself? For one simple reason: there's a better alternative called Signa...

Privacy Matters