Author | Lightnews

Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · 1d

Thank you! I'm going to try it out too 🙌

Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · 1d

@vegh.ca @czechboy0.dev I just submitted a binary and had the same "ITMS-90714: Invalid binary" problem – did you manage to figure it out?

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Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · 1d

I've had a lot of emails about Hacktivate, but my favorite is this: "I am totally obsessed with this game." YES. That's exactly what I want to see – people trying things, learning things, and having fun ✨ apps.apple.com/gb/app/hackt...

‎Hacktivate: Capture the Flag

‎Crack codes. Break firewalls. Conquer the map. Hacktivate is the ultimate cybersecurity challenge: a world map of 240 missions where every puzzle is built on real cybersecurity techniques hackers us...

apps.apple.com

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Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · 4d

You should be able to see both of these in action if you retry the first very first tutorial, "Double equals". Let me know if there's more I can do – I certainly want to make it as clear as I can!

Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · 4d

I changed this in yesterday's update so that during the tutorials the bar at the top lights up red so folks know to switch back to the first tab. I also amended the first challenge to say after the flag "At the top of your screen, change Toolbox to Challenge, scroll down, then type in that flag."

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Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · 5d

That's great to hear! I hope you enjoy playing it as much as I enjoyed making it 🙌 There are lots of exciting updates still to come, but if you have the time I would greatly appreciate it if you could write a short review on the App Store – the app is still very new, so every review really helps!

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Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · 5d

I'm afraid not; I know my limits, and would rather make one thing to the best of my ability than two things kinda average.

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Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · 5d

The first reviews of my new app are rolling in – I really appreciate everyone who took the time to write something, because it's so important in these early days 🙇‍♂️ My next job: reply to them all! apps.apple.com/gb/app/hackt...

This is a fun way to learn some hacking skills. The tutorials give you the basics and if you pay for the full program, you definitely get more challenges. I love the variety of the challenges this game presents you. If you are a techie or interested in how things work on the web with encryption I think you will love this.

Great app, very fun way to solve cybersecurity puzzles and become familiar with the subject matter. And great design.

Fun, educational, and beautifully designed. If you love solving cryptic puzzles, these will truly test your brain — all based on real-world tools and techniques. A must-have for anyone with even a passing interest in computing, programming, or cybersecurity.

I love how the puzzles use real computer science concepts (like image and audio manipulation, ciphers etc). The terminal and code sections are great too; a good way to revise these concepts while having fun!

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Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · 6d

Thank you! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it 🙌 If you have a moment, please write a short review on the App Store – the game is very new, so every review really helps!

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Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · 6d

The first Hacktivate update is off to Apple for review, with exciting challenge updates and… well, *less* exciting bug fixes 😅 Get it here: apps.apple.com/gb/app/hackt...

‎Hacktivate: Capture the Flag

‎Crack codes. Break firewalls. Conquer the map. Hacktivate is the ultimate cybersecurity challenge: a world map of 240 missions where every puzzle is built on real cybersecurity techniques hackers us...

apps.apple.com

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Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · 10d

Most of the other products launching today seem to be just another form of AI wrapper. Hard to imagine that whole industry won't implode soon…

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Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · 10d

🚀 Hacktivate is live on Product Hunt!
Learn real cybersecurity by solving playable hacking missions, from SQL injection to steganography.
Check it out here: www.producthunt.com/products/hac...

Hacktivate: A capture-the-flag game teaching real cybersecurity skills | Product Hunt

Hacktivate is a safe, gamified way for students to learn real cybersecurity skills through interactive hacking challenges, using iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Created by an indie developer to make computer sc...

www.producthunt.com

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Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · 11d

Today I'm launching my new app, Hacktivate. It teaches real-world computer science skills through 240 "capture the flag" challenges, and works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac with one purchase. I've poured a ton of love into it, and I'd love to hear what you think 🙌 apps.apple.com/gb/app/hackt...

‎Hacktivate: Capture the Flag

‎Crack codes. Break firewalls. Conquer the map. Hacktivate is the ultimate cybersecurity challenge: a world map of 240 missions where every puzzle is built on real cybersecurity techniques hackers us...

apps.apple.com

17 30 150

Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · 12d

🎉 The final version of Hacktivate has been approved by Apple ahead of launch on Wednesday – all systems go! Pre-order here, and get set for the ultimate cyber-ops challenge: hack servers, crack ciphers, and uncover hidden flags across 240 missions! apps.apple.com/gb/app/hackt...

‎Hacktivate: Capture the Flag

‎Crack codes. Break firewalls. Conquer the map. Hacktivate is the ultimate cybersecurity challenge: a world map of 240 missions where every puzzle is built on real cybersecurity techniques hackers us...

apps.apple.com

2 3 29

Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · 21d

I made a lil press kit in case anyone is interested: www.hacktivate.app/press

Hacktivate · Press Kit

Cybersecurity challenges for iPhone, iPad, and Mac

www.hacktivate.app

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Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · 21d

My new app has now passed 2000 preorders – thank you so much! It’s released in 10 days, and wraps up a range of real-world computing skills in fun “capture the flag” challenges for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Get it here: apps.apple.com/gb/app/hackt...

‎Hacktivate: Capture the Flag

‎Crack codes. Break firewalls. Conquer the map. Hacktivate is the ultimate cybersecurity challenge: a world map of 240 missions where every puzzle is built on real cybersecurity techniques hackers us...

apps.apple.com

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Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · 25d

Reminder: This Saturday I'm holding 2x 3-hour live streams on improving your Swift and SwiftUI, suitable for all skill levels. It's going to be really packed! Find out more here: www.hackingwithswift.com/articles/279...

Level up your SwiftUI

Learn how to take average code and iteratively improve it until it shines

www.hackingwithswift.com

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Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · Sep 30

I’ve designed it to feel like a game, but it’s all real-world skill!

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Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · Sep 30

A key design goal for my Hacktivate app is for users to build real computer skills while solving challenges. I've just added some SQL-based challenges, all running locally – users need to adjust data to a known hash to be able to log in ✨ Pre-order here: apps.apple.com/gb/app/hackt...

An cybersecurity challenge showing live SQL queries running, as the user attempts to break into a cybersecurity group called The Runtime Cartel.

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Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · Sep 25

Just one month until I launch my newest app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It's called Hacktivate, and it teaches real-world computer science skills using cybersecurity challenges. You can pre-order it here: apps.apple.com/gb/app/hackt...

‎Hacktivate: Capture the Flag

‎Crack codes. Break firewalls. Conquer the map. Hacktivate is the ultimate cybersecurity challenge: a world map of 240 missions where every puzzle is built on real cybersecurity techniques hackers us...

apps.apple.com

13

Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · Sep 10

There are already well over 1100 pre-orders for Hacktivate, in just five days. Thank you! 🙌 The app is such a fun way to learn real computer science skills – carefully graded challenges, with hands-on tutorials too. I think you'll love it 🙂 apps.apple.com/gb/app/hackt...

‎Hacktivate: Capture the Flag

‎Crack codes. Break firewalls. Conquer the map. Hacktivate is the ultimate cybersecurity challenge: a world map of 240 missions where every puzzle is built on real cybersecurity techniques hackers us...

apps.apple.com

7

Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · Sep 8

Pre-order the app here, for iPhone, iPad, and Mac: apps.apple.com/gb/app/hackt...

‎Hacktivate: Capture the Flag

‎Crack codes. Break firewalls. Conquer the map. Hacktivate is the ultimate cybersecurity challenge: a world map of 240 missions where every puzzle is built on real cybersecurity techniques hackers us...

apps.apple.com

7

Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · Sep 8

ICYMI, in the first video I use slow motion animations to show how some of the special effects are built with SwiftUI. SwiftUI does so much of the work for me, I feel almost guilty 😅 youtu.be/FCAagJjdfDM

Hacktivate: Capture the Flag – Early preview

YouTube video by Paul Hudson

youtu.be

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Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · Sep 8

I just released a second YouTube video about Hacktivate, this time showing how I got it to work well on everything from a Mac Studio display down to iPhone SE, and also showing how the Linux terminal challenges work – my favorite! youtu.be/Z9FXnpT2FaQ

Hacktivate: Capture the Flag – iPhone and Preorder

YouTube video by Paul Hudson

youtu.be

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Paul Hudson @twostraws.bsky.social · Sep 8

I'm doing my final read through of today's Everything but the Code update, and it's an absolute banger. It's all on App Store optimization – how to really nail your App Store presence to maximize downloads. Should be out in an hour or so! www.hackingwithswift.com/store/everyt...

Everything but the Code – Code got you started, this gets you paid.

You don’t need more Swift tutorials. You need a plan.

www.hackingwithswift.com

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