In this article, you will find the answers to the following questions:

• Will others have access to machines I am using?
• Can I work on multiple machines at a time?
• I am new to OffSec. Do you have any recommendations on machines I should start with?
• What are the differences between easy, intermediate and hard machines?
• Am I able to access retired Proving Grounds Play machines?
• Are lab machines always on?

Will others have access to machines I am using?

No, every machine accessed by the learner during his respective PG Play or Practice session is a private machine. Private machine access ensures each learner may focus on learning, without concern that another user will access and interfere with their machine during the session.

Can I work on multiple machines at a time?

You may access PG Play and Practice one machine at a time.  Private machine access ensures each learner may focus on learning, without concern that another user will access and interfere with their machine during the session.

I am new to OffSec. Do you have any recommendations on machines I should start with?

We have identified Warm Up, Get to Work and Try Harder to represent varying difficulty levels. For those new to OffSec, we suggest beginning with Warm Up machines and progressing from there. Some of our machines also come with walkthroughs and hints to unblock aspiring learners.

What are the differences between easy, intermediate and hard machines?

Easy, intermediate and hard are difficulty levels OffSec assigns to each machine. The intent is to guide our learners and better meet the needs of individual learning journeys and skillsets. We encourage those newer to InfoSec begin with easy machines and progressively ease into intermediate and hard machines.

Am I able to access retired Proving Grounds Play machines?

New machines are added to Proving Grounds Play and Proving Grounds Practice on a regular basis.

Retired Play machines will be moved under the Practice tab and will continue to be available for PG Practice subscribers. Please note you can still download the retired Play machines on the VulnHub website.

Are lab machines always on?

While we do not intend to restrict your access to machines, we would also like to ensure that our resources are used efficiently.

If your VPN connection or Kali instance closes, the machine will automatically close.

If you have not subscribed to PG Practice, once you start a machine, the machine will remain on unless you stop the machine, or your time for the machine has reached the daily 3 hour time limit.

If you have subscribed to PG Practice, once you start a machine, the machine will remain on for 12 hours, unless you choose to stop it yourself. You will be able to start the machine again at any time while your PG Practice subscription is still active.