Cristian
15th January 2015, 11:33
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7e/Cicada_3301_logo.jpg
I always loved puzzles !:P
From wiki (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicada_3301):
Cicada 3301 is a name given to an enigmatic organization that on three occasions has posted a set of complex puzzles to recruit capable cryptanalysts from the public.[1] The first Internet puzzle started on January 5, 2012, and ran for approximately one month. A second round began one year later on January 5, 2013, and a third round is ongoing following confirmation of a fresh clue posted on Twitter on January 5, 2014.[2][3] The stated intent was to recruit "intelligent individuals" by presenting a series of puzzles which were to be solved, each in order, to find the next. It is not known if the puzzles are to continue on January 5, 2015.[4] The puzzles focused heavily on data security, cryptography, and steganography.[1][5][6][7][8]
It has been called "the most elaborate and mysterious puzzle of the internet age,"[9] and is listed as one of the "Top 5 eeriest, unsolved mysteries of the Internet" by The Washington Post,[10] and much speculation exists as to its purpose. Many have speculated that it is a recruitment tool for the NSA, CIA, MI6, or a cyber mercenary group.[1][6] Others have claimed it is an Alternate Reality Game (ARG), but the fact that no company or individual has taken credit or tried to monetize it, combined with the fact that none who have solved the puzzles have ever come forward, has led most to feel that it is not.[9] Others have claimed it is run by a bank working on cryptocurrency.
The Cicada 3301 clues have spanned many different communication mediums including Internet, telephone, original music, bootable Linux CDs, digital images, physical paper signs, and pages of unpublished cryptic books. In addition to using many varying techniques to encrypt, encode or hide data, these clues also have referenced a wide variety of books, poetry, artwork and music.[1] Each clue has been signed by the same GnuPG private key to confirm authenticity.
detailed technical stuff and how the game unfolded in 2014 - here (http://uncovering-cicada.wikia.com/wiki/Uncovering_Cicada_Wiki)
http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/uncovering-cicada/images/1/15/Background2014700.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140111133427
Decoded from the 2014 game :
A WARNING
BELIEVE NOTHING FROM THIS BOOK
EXCEPT WHAT YOU KNOW TO BE TRUE
TEST THE KNOWLEDGE
FIND YOUR TRUTH
EXPERIENCE YOUR DEATH
DO NOT EDIT OR CHANGE THIS BOOK
OR THE MESSAGE CONTAINED WITHIN
EITHER THE WORDS OR THEIR NUMBERS
FOR ALL IS SACRED.
WELCOME, PILGRIM TO THE GREAT JOURNEY
TOWARD THE END OF ALL THINGS.
IT IS NOT AN EASY TRIP, BUT FOR THOSE WHO
FIND THEIR WAY HERE IT IS A NECESSARY ONE.
ALONG THE WAY YOU WILL FIND AN END TO ALL
STRUGGLE AND SUFFERING, YOUR INNOCENCE, YOUR
ILLUSIONS, YOUR CERTAINTY, AND YOUR REALITY.
ULTIMATELY, YOU WILL DISCOVER AN END TO SELF.
IT IS THROUGH THIS PILGRIMAGE THAT WE SHAPE
OURSELVES AND OUR REALITIES.
JOURNEY DEEP WITHIN AND YOU WILL ARRIVE OUTSIDE.
LIKE THE INSTAR, IT IS ONLY THROUGH GOING
WITHIN THAT WE MAY EMERGE:
WISDOM:
YOU ARE A BEING UNTO YOURSELF.
YOU ARE A LAW UNTO YOURSELF.
EACH INTELLIGENCE IS HOLY.
FOR ALL THAT LIVES IS HOLY.
I always loved puzzles !:P
From wiki (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicada_3301):
Cicada 3301 is a name given to an enigmatic organization that on three occasions has posted a set of complex puzzles to recruit capable cryptanalysts from the public.[1] The first Internet puzzle started on January 5, 2012, and ran for approximately one month. A second round began one year later on January 5, 2013, and a third round is ongoing following confirmation of a fresh clue posted on Twitter on January 5, 2014.[2][3] The stated intent was to recruit "intelligent individuals" by presenting a series of puzzles which were to be solved, each in order, to find the next. It is not known if the puzzles are to continue on January 5, 2015.[4] The puzzles focused heavily on data security, cryptography, and steganography.[1][5][6][7][8]
It has been called "the most elaborate and mysterious puzzle of the internet age,"[9] and is listed as one of the "Top 5 eeriest, unsolved mysteries of the Internet" by The Washington Post,[10] and much speculation exists as to its purpose. Many have speculated that it is a recruitment tool for the NSA, CIA, MI6, or a cyber mercenary group.[1][6] Others have claimed it is an Alternate Reality Game (ARG), but the fact that no company or individual has taken credit or tried to monetize it, combined with the fact that none who have solved the puzzles have ever come forward, has led most to feel that it is not.[9] Others have claimed it is run by a bank working on cryptocurrency.
The Cicada 3301 clues have spanned many different communication mediums including Internet, telephone, original music, bootable Linux CDs, digital images, physical paper signs, and pages of unpublished cryptic books. In addition to using many varying techniques to encrypt, encode or hide data, these clues also have referenced a wide variety of books, poetry, artwork and music.[1] Each clue has been signed by the same GnuPG private key to confirm authenticity.
detailed technical stuff and how the game unfolded in 2014 - here (http://uncovering-cicada.wikia.com/wiki/Uncovering_Cicada_Wiki)
http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/uncovering-cicada/images/1/15/Background2014700.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140111133427
Decoded from the 2014 game :
A WARNING
BELIEVE NOTHING FROM THIS BOOK
EXCEPT WHAT YOU KNOW TO BE TRUE
TEST THE KNOWLEDGE
FIND YOUR TRUTH
EXPERIENCE YOUR DEATH
DO NOT EDIT OR CHANGE THIS BOOK
OR THE MESSAGE CONTAINED WITHIN
EITHER THE WORDS OR THEIR NUMBERS
FOR ALL IS SACRED.
WELCOME, PILGRIM TO THE GREAT JOURNEY
TOWARD THE END OF ALL THINGS.
IT IS NOT AN EASY TRIP, BUT FOR THOSE WHO
FIND THEIR WAY HERE IT IS A NECESSARY ONE.
ALONG THE WAY YOU WILL FIND AN END TO ALL
STRUGGLE AND SUFFERING, YOUR INNOCENCE, YOUR
ILLUSIONS, YOUR CERTAINTY, AND YOUR REALITY.
ULTIMATELY, YOU WILL DISCOVER AN END TO SELF.
IT IS THROUGH THIS PILGRIMAGE THAT WE SHAPE
OURSELVES AND OUR REALITIES.
JOURNEY DEEP WITHIN AND YOU WILL ARRIVE OUTSIDE.
LIKE THE INSTAR, IT IS ONLY THROUGH GOING
WITHIN THAT WE MAY EMERGE:
WISDOM:
YOU ARE A BEING UNTO YOURSELF.
YOU ARE A LAW UNTO YOURSELF.
EACH INTELLIGENCE IS HOLY.
FOR ALL THAT LIVES IS HOLY.