<p>picoCTF is a free online capture-the-flag (CTF) competition run by Carnegie Mellon University's CyLab. It gamifies cybersecurity learning with puzzles designed by CMU security researchers, covering reverse engineering, cryptography, web exploitation, forensics, and binary exploitation. The annual timed competition is open to anyone, with prizes reserved for eligible student teams. The non-competitive picoGym stays open year-round for practice.</p> <ul> <li>Eligibility: age 13+, open globally; Singapore students can participate</li> <li>Format: online, self-paced within the competition window</li> <li>Competition window: roughly 10 days, typically in March each year</li> <li>picoCTF 2026 ran from 9 March to 19 March 2026</li> <li>Practice: picoGym stays open year-round with previously released challenges</li> <li>Cost: free to participate</li> </ul> <p>Create a free account at picoctf.org to register for future competitions and to access picoGym practice challenges.</p>