On January 4, 2012, an enigmatic user on 4chan, identified only by the cryptic pseudonym 3301, unveiled an image on the infamous /b/ board, initiating one of the most elaborate and puzzling scavenger hunts in the history of the internet. What transpired in the following years left the online community both fascinated and perplexed, as Cicada 3301 challenged users to uncover a series of mind-bending puzzles, sparking rumors of secret societies, intelligence agencies, and recruitment for highly skilled individuals.
The mysterious image concealed a message, and what followed was an intricate web of encrypted codes, leading to yet another image. A string of decipherable text was discovered by users who opened the image with a text editor. This text contained a cipher that, once decoded, unveiled a link to the next challenge. While this appeared to be a dead-end, users utilized an application known as OutGuess to extract hidden information from the image.
The extracted data led to a subreddit, which held clues to a book and a code. Solving this puzzle unveiled a phone number, leading to a prerecorded message. This initiation sparked a community of armchair detectives eager to solve the puzzle, yet the purpose and origin of Cicada 3301 remained a mystery.
Speculation arose, with some dismissing it as an elaborate prank and others considering the complexity as evidence of something more profound. Rumors suggested the involvement of a secret society or intelligence agency seeking individuals proficient in cryptography and related fields. Despite these speculations, the true nature of Cicada’s purpose remained unknown.
The puzzle extended to the physical world, as coordinates unveiled locations around the globe. Fourteen locations across five countries were marked, prompting participants to venture outdoors. This reinforced the belief that Cicada might be the work of a formidable international collective. At each location, posters featuring the cicada symbol and a QR code were discovered, further deepening the mystery.
Participants unlocked the puzzle’s next stages by solving riddles contained within the QR codes, leading to books and websites. The puzzle’s culmination took an unexpected turn when a select group of first arrivals were granted access to a private final stage. The puzzle’s end was marked by a message: “We want the best, not the followers.” Finalists were advised against collaboration and sharing details of this confidential stage.
After a month of silence, an image on the subreddit announced the puzzle’s conclusion. Cicada had seemingly identified the “highly intelligent individuals” they sought, leaving many questions unanswered. The lack of explanation left some convinced that the entire journey was an elaborate wild-goose chase.
A year later, on January 5, an image carrying a PGP signature was posted, indicating the return of Cicada 3301. The PGP signature served as a means of authentication, ensuring the legitimacy of clues. After a year of imitations, this image finally matched the official PGP signature, reigniting the puzzle.
The second puzzle closely resembled the first, guiding participants through messages, books, recordings, and the discovery of a cryptic Twitter account. A runic alphabet added an extra layer of intrigue. Coordinates led participants to eight locations in four countries, replicating the physical hunt of the first puzzle. However, the second puzzle diverged from the first as it did not conclude with an official message from Cicada.
In 2014, Cicada 3301 unveiled its third puzzle, maintaining its tradition of using cryptic images to kick-start the challenge. Participants deciphered messages that led them to a peculiar book titled “Liber Primus,” written primarily in runes. While the translated pages contained philosophical and ideological content akin to a manifesto, the encrypted runes concealed deeper mysteries. Cicada’s intent with this book puzzle remained elusive, with some likening the writings to those of a cult.
“Liber Primus” presented numerous clues and codes, pointing to hidden websites on the deep web, which participants have struggled to locate. A recording titled “Interconnectedness” added to the enigma. Despite efforts, many pages in the book remain untranslated, buried beneath layers of encryption.
As 2015 came and went without the launch of a new puzzle, it became evident that “Liber Primus” might hold the key to Cicada’s return. The group’s silence left many questions unanswered:
1. What is the true purpose of these puzzles?
2. Who is behind Cicada 3301?
3. What lies at the end of this cryptic journey?
The End:
In Cicada’s early days, some speculated that it might be an alternate reality game (ARG) orchestrated by a corporation to promote a product or service. However, subsequent puzzles and the absence of commercialization have dispelled this notion. Leaked information from the private end-stage of each puzzle suggests that Cicada may be a group with a mission aligned with privacy and security principles.
For example, an email allegedly sent to finalists at the conclusion of the first puzzle described Cicada as an international group advocating privacy as an inalienable right. They aimed to recruit like-minded individuals to develop privacy-conscious solutions.
The lack of a PGP signature in the email’s leaked version raised questions about its authenticity. Despite this uncertainty, the idea of a secret society recruiting through cryptographic puzzles isn’t unprecedented. Governments and corporations have used similar recruitment techniques in the past.
What about the recruits who were chosen to continue the journey? They did receive communication but distinguishing genuine finalists from impostors proved impossible. An interview with two alleged winners of the first puzzle revealed their experience on the dark web forum, where they communicated with established members of Cicada. According to their account, Cicada 3301 started as a small group with shared ideals about privacy and security but eventually expanded into an international organization.
The winners of the second puzzle shared a similar story, further emphasizing the idea that Cicada may be a group of privacy-conscious developers.
Cicada 3301’s puzzles remain unsolved, and the group’s motives and identity remain hidden. While the mystery continues, the most plausible theory suggests that Cicada is a loose-knit collective of privacy-minded hobby-cryptographers using complex puzzles to recruit talented individuals. As of April 2017, Cicada had left a final message urging vigilance against disinformation. The current status of the third puzzle and the possibility of a fourth puzzle are shrouded in secrecy, leaving Cicada 3301 as an enduring internet enigma.
