Start, extend and stop a machine
Updated
A machine is the target you hack in a lab. You can have one lab running at a time, and every plan gets the same time.
How long a machine runs
- CTF machines run for 3 hours. You can add 3 more hours once, so 6 hours in total.
- Lesson labs run for up to 2 hours and cannot be extended.
Start a machine
- Open the machine from CTF Machines, or open the lab inside your lesson.
- Select Start lab. It shows Starting… while your machine is prepared.
- When the status shows Running, your target appears. It is a web address or an IP address, sometimes with a username, password or command. Use Copy or Open in new tab.
Starting a different lab stops any other lab you have running. Your answers in that lab are saved.
Add more time
On a CTF machine, select Add 3 h before time runs out. You can do this once. After that it says You've used the one extension.
Stop a machine
Select Stop machine when you finish. Your answers are saved, and you can select Start lab again later.
Leaving the page or closing the tab does not stop your machine.
Flags and finishing
- Answer the questions next to your machine. Some answers are flags you find on the machine. A flag looks like
SOMHACK{...}. - Submit each answer. A right one shows Correct answer saved. A wrong one shows That answer isn't right. Change it and try again.
- When every required answer is in, select Finish machine. This records your finish. View achievement opens your machine achievement card.
Finishing does not stop the machine. You can keep using it until it stops.
Stuck? Select Show hint. Hints never cost you XP.
Why a machine stops on its own
- Its time ran out.
- It had no genuine activity for 30 minutes.
- You started another lab.
- You signed out.
- The machine failed. You see The machine failed and was stopped.
Your answers are saved. If the status looks wrong, select Refresh status.