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What is Hack Mac?
Hack Mac 2025 is a Capture-the-Flag (CTF) cybersecurity competition.
Designed to test the skills of participants in various disciplines of cyber security, students complete various challenges to obtain flags and earn points!
Lunch will be catered, t-shirts, hats, and stickers will be given out, and prizes to be won!
Rules
Participants must:
Be currently enrolled in High School, TAFE or University
Be at least 15 years of age
Attend the event in-person
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) - Kali is recommended
Compete in teams of two. Individual players will be paired up
What's in it for me?
Hack Mac includes challenges for all levels and encourage all skill levels to participate.
We strive to provide a safe, inclusive and fun environment to hone your skills and network with like-minded individuals.
Networking
Meet fellow cybersecurity students from other schools and make new friends!
Prizes
Prizes will be given out to teams in the:
Top 3 overall, OR
Top 1 for that division
Pizza & Merch
Catering will be provided! The first 100 registrations will receive a free shirt, hat and stickers!
Lockpicking
It's not all virtual - come and test your skills with physical lockpicks!
Student Innovation
Our Macquarie University students designed the vast majority of the challenges you'll be facing!
We'd love to see you there!
Mark your calendars, spread the word, and get ready to experience Hack Mac 2025. We can't wait to see you there!
Organisers
Hack Mac 2025 is running in collaboration with Macquarie University Cyber Security Hub, Faculty of Science and Engineering, IT Security, IT Projects Team, and student societies!
Cyber Security Hub
Multi-disciplinary collaboration to tackling real-world challenges in cyber security.
Information Technology
Design, deployment and management of ICT operations, and the delivery of our digital strategy and roadmap.
Faculty of Science and Engineering
Nurturing the next generation of science and technology innovators.
Institute of Applied Technology-Digital
The Cyber Range Training Centre (CRTC) Provides a scalable and customisable Cyber Security education framework for credentials.
MACS
Macquarie Association of Computing Students is a student society dedicated to Computing Students
MQCyberSec
Student society dedicated to CTFs and Cyber Security.
Frequently Asked Questions
CTFs test the skills of participants in various disciplines of cybersecurity. Participants complete various challenges to obtain “flags” and earn points! A flag is a line of text that proves you have solved the challenge.
To get started with CTFs, we recommend TryHackMe for beginners, and once you are ready for a steeper learning curve, HackTheBox!
On the day of the competition, after registering your account you’ll be able to log on to our competition site on-premises. Pick any puzzle to get started!
Choose a challenge and read the description. You may have to access a website, download files, type scripts, or do research!
Complete the challenge and obtain the flag.
Paste the flag into the answer box. If correct, your team will then receive points based on the challenge difficulty.
Web Security
Binary Exploitation
Reverse Engineering
Cryptography
Forensics
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
Lockpicking (physical locks!)
Event Location
Address
TAFE Meadowbank
Operating Hours
Saturday, 9am to 5pm