Final Exam

Due Date: 2026-08-14 23:59:59

• Final Exam
  • Introduction
  • Instructions
  • Submission Details
    • Format guidelines
    • Due Date
  • Checklist before you submit

Introduction

In this class, we have covered a wide range of topics. From low-level networking concepts up the stack to web and mobile security.

Instructions

For your final exam, you will be picking a topic related to one of the covered topics and creating a short presentation on the topic.

Your presentation should be recorded. This should be a screen capture with voice-over. I would recommend making use of OBS. Slides or similar are required. In all cases, audio and video clarity count. Don’t show code that can’t be read in your final render. I do not expect professional rendering or production values – this is all about clarity and getting your information across.

You will be graded on your presentation itself, as well as the security content you are covering. The breakdown is as follows:

• Presentation [45 points total]
  • Clarity of speech – this is not audio quality, but do you speak clearly? [10 points]
  • Flow of content of presentation [10 points]
  • Delivery of presentation [10 points]
  • Visual clarity – can I read what you put on your slides? [7 points]
  • Audio clarity – can I hear what words you are using? [8 points]
• Security content [55 points total]
  • Correctness [20 points]
  • Clarity – did you explain this concept in an understandable way? [15 points]
  • Depth – did you cover the topic at more than a surface level? [20 points]

Topic guidelines are as follows:

• Pick something related to one of the topics we discussed
• Topics can be technical, but could also be more policy oriented
• XSS, SQL injections, and similar are not acceptable topics. SSRF and similar are acceptable.
• Deep dives into recent vulnerabilities are encouraged (BlueKeep, Spectre, SMBGhost, Ripple20, etc.)
• Classic vulnerabilities are also allowed and encouraged
• Hardware security is up for grabs, as well. Think hardware hacking.
• If in doubt, ask for help selecting a topic.

For CS591 students, topics will need to have more technical depth. If in doubt, talk to me.

Submission Details

Format guidelines

• Length: 20±2 minutes is the target.
• The topic must be related to one of the topics covered in class.
• Topic approval: email me your proposed topic by Friday of week 6 (31 July 2026), well before the recording is due. Do not start building slides for an unapproved topic.
• File type: MP4
• Max Resolution: 1080p60 – that’s 1920x1080, progressive scan, 60 frames per second
• Preferred Resolution: 720p60
• Minimum Resolution: 720p30
• Should be playable on desktop or mobile devices
• Presentation must be created using one of Beamer (LaTeX), Prosper (LaTeX), PowerPoint, or Keynote.
• Submission should be via Google Drive link. I specifically want the files hosted in Google Drive, not anywhere else. Make sure it is viewable by me! If I can’t access the link, I will be unable to grade it — check this by opening the link in a private/incognito window before you submit.
• Put the link in final/final.md in your course repo, on a line of its own. That exact path is where grading looks; a link left in the repo root, in a differently-named folder, or emailed only, is a link that can be missed.

Due Date

Due Friday of Week 8 (14 August 2026), 23:59:59.

Checklist before you submit

• Topic emailed and approved by Friday of week 6
• Runtime is 20±2 minutes
• File is MP4, no larger than 1080p60, and plays on both desktop and mobile
• Slides are readable at the final render resolution — open the file and check, don’t assume
• Narration is audible throughout, with no long stretches of silence or clipping
• Slides actually advance; a deck that never leaves the title slide costs visual-clarity points
• Google Drive link is viewable by someone who is not you
• Link committed to final/final.md in your course repo