Full Transcript
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2O7blSSzpI
[00:00] Just let me know on the 4th of January.
[00:07] Just let me know on the 4th of January 2012.
[00:07] A user on 4chan posted this image.
[00:11] To decide sinfulness B or random board.
[00:14] The anonymous author who went by the four-digit pseudonym 33 one challenged users to uncover a message hidden within the image.
[00:22] Unbeknownst to those who stumbled across it, someone had just set in motion one of the most elaborate scavenger hunts the internet has ever seen.
[00:30] Within minutes of the image being posted, someone discovered that by opening the file using a text editor, an upended string of readable text could be found.
[00:45] The string contained a cipher that, once deciphered, formed a link to yet another image.
[00:53] At first, this appeared to be a dead end, but using an application known as out guests, users were able to extract hidden information embedded within the first.
[01:01] information embedded within the first image the extract that information led to a subreddit which in turn contained information about the book the book along with a code could then be used to uncover a phone number that when called played this pre-recorded message very good you have done well there are three prime numbers associated with the original final dot jpg image three three zero one is one of them you will have to find the other to multiply all three of these numbers together and edicom on the end to find the next step good luck goodbye
[01:42] by the following day the initial image had been reposted all over the Internet a growing community of armchair detectives saw to unravel this elaborate puzzle but no one was quite sure what to
[02:02] puzzle but no one was quite sure what to make of it what was the puzzle for who.
[02:05] make of it what was the puzzle for who was behind it what happens when you.
[02:08] was behind it what happens when you reach the end some naturally dismissed.
[02:11] reach the end some naturally dismissed it as an elaborate joke while others.
[02:13] it as an elaborate joke while others perceived its complexity as evidence.
[02:15] perceived its complexity as evidence against it being the work of a mere.
[02:16] against it being the work of a mere troll.
[02:17] troll before long rumors began to circulate.
[02:19] before long rumors began to circulate that this could be the work of some.
[02:20] that this could be the work of some secret society or intelligence agency.
[02:23] secret society or intelligence agency with intent of recruiting individuals.
[02:24] with intent of recruiting individuals proficient in cryptography steganography.
[02:27] proficient in cryptography steganography and other related fields of course it.
[02:31] and other related fields of course it was nothing but a rumor the two missing.
[02:35] was nothing but a rumor the two missing numbers mentioned in the recording.
[02:37] numbers mentioned in the recording proved to be the dimensions of the.
[02:39] proved to be the dimensions of the original image of the multiplying the.
[02:42] original image of the multiplying the width and height with 3301 and using the.
[02:44] width and height with 3301 and using the product as a web address users were.
[02:46] product as a web address users were taken to a website the website consisted.
[02:50] taken to a website the website consisted of a countdown as well as an image of a.
[02:52] of a countdown as well as an image of a cicada when the countdown reached zero.
[02:54] cicada when the countdown reached zero the page was updated with a list of.
[02:56] the page was updated with a list of coordinates the coordinates pointed to.
[02:58] coordinates the coordinates pointed to locations around the globe.
[03:00] locations around the globe 14 locations in five different countries.
[03:03] 14 locations in five different countries it was now up to participants living.
[03:05] it was now up to participants living near the specified coordinates to rise.
[03:07] near the specified coordinates to rise from their comfortable armchairs and.
[03:09] from their comfortable armchairs and venture outside those who believe cicada.
[03:12] to be the work of an organization now.
[03:14] to be the work of an organization now felt their beliefs had been justified in.
[03:16] felt their beliefs had been justified in their opinion only some international.
[03:19] their opinion only some international collective possess the means and.
[03:21] collective possess the means and resources to create a scavenger hunt of.
[03:23] resources to create a scavenger hunt of this magnitude this was not the work of.
[03:25] this magnitude this was not the work of your average troll no this had to be.
[03:28] your average troll no this had to be something else and each location was a.
[03:30] something else and each location was a poster with the cicada symbol and a QR.
[03:33] poster with the cicada symbol and a QR code.
[03:34] code and the bike shelter over here see I've.
[03:38] and the bike shelter over here see I've got a better alert oh you can see that.
[03:41] got a better alert oh you can see that partner's a sailor who's gonna have to.
[03:43] partner's a sailor who's gonna have to have the codes linked to an image the.
[03:46] have the codes linked to an image the image contained a riddle the riddle led.
[03:48] image contained a riddle the riddle led to a book and the book led to a website.
[03:51] to a book and the book led to a website but here the puzzle took an unexpected.
[03:53] but here the puzzle took an unexpected turn.
[03:54] turn only a select group of first arrivals to.
[03:57] only a select group of first arrivals to this website were accepted into the.
[03:59] this website were accepted into the final stage of the puzzle the site.
[04:02] final stage of the puzzle the site eventually closed down with a message we.
[04:04] eventually closed down with a message we want the best not the followers.
[04:06] want the best not the followers the finalists were also warned not to.
[04:08] finalists were also warned not to collaborate with others nor to share the.
[04:11] collaborate with others nor to share the details of this private stage of the.
[04:13] details of this private stage of the puzzle well given that we know this it's.
[04:16] puzzle well given that we know this it's safe to say that not everyone heeded.
[04:18] safe to say that not everyone heeded that warning but those who did.
[04:20] that warning but those who did presumably advanced through the final.
[04:23] presumably advanced through the final stages before reaching the very end of.
[04:26] stages before reaching the very end of the possible.
[04:27] the possible [Music].
[04:32] after nearly a month of silence an image.
[04:36] after nearly a month of silence an image appeared on the subreddit announcing the.
[04:38] appeared on the subreddit announcing the conclusion of the puzzle and just like.
[04:40] conclusion of the puzzle and just like that the hunt was over cicada had.
[04:44] that the hunt was over cicada had supposedly found that the highly.
[04:46] supposedly found that the highly intelligent individuals they were.
[04:47] intelligent individuals they were looking for and whatever happened to.
[04:49] looking for and whatever happened to them.
[04:50] them is a bit of a mystery but more on that.
[04:52] is a bit of a mystery but more on that in a moment the complete lack of an.
[04:55] in a moment the complete lack of an explanation was perceived by many as.
[04:57] explanation was perceived by many as confirmation that the puzzle had been.
[04:59] confirmation that the puzzle had been nothing but a wild goose chase intent on.
[05:01] nothing but a wild goose chase intent on wasting everyone's time after all.
[05:04] wasting everyone's time after all questions raised by the original image.
[05:06] Questions raised by the original image remained unanswered.
[05:08] Remained unanswered. What was the puzzle for who was behind?
[05:11] What was the puzzle for who was behind it? What happens when you reach the end?
[05:14] It what happens when you reach the end. However, as it later turned out, and this
[05:17] However, as it later turned out, and this was only the beginning.
[05:19] Was only the beginning.
[05:24] Whomever was behind this intricate game
[05:28] Whomever was behind this intricate game had the foresight to include an
[05:30] Had the foresight to include an authentication code known as a PGP
[05:32] Authentication code known as a PGP signature along with every clue.
[05:34] Signature along with every clue. This allowed users to verify that an
[05:37] This allowed users to verify that an immature message was actually from
[05:39] Immature message was actually from Cicada, as opposed to some imposter
[05:41] Cicada, as opposed to some imposter seeking to derail or hijacked a puzzle.
[05:44] Seeking to derail or hijacked a puzzle. Cicada had repeatedly warned of such
[05:46] Cicada had repeatedly warned of such false paths and insisted at any message
[05:49] False paths and insisted at any message lacking a valid PGP signature should
[05:51] Lacking a valid PGP signature should promptly be disregarded. That's why this
[05:55] Promptly be disregarded. That's why this image posted exactly a year and a day
[05:58] Image posted exactly a year and a day after the first provoked such a frenzy.
[06:01] After the first provoked such a frenzy. After a year of lackluster imitations
[06:04] After a year of lackluster imitations this image finally matched the official
[06:08] This image finally matched the official PGP signature. Cicada was back, and it was time for round two.
[06:14] The second puzzle was not too dissimilar from the first.
[06:16] The image enclosed a message.
[06:19] The message led to a book.
[06:21] The book produced a link, and gradually the puzzle unfolded.
[06:23] At one point, the recording title, the in-store emergence was uncovered.
[06:47] Another clue led to a cryptic Twitter account, which then led to an image.
[06:52] The image proved vital to the progression of the puzzle, but the inclusion of this runic alphabet would remain a mystery for quite some time.
[07:02] Much like the first puzzle, the second swelled into the physical world when a list of coordinates compelled participants to.
[07:08] Coordinates compelled participants to once again take to the streets in search.
[07:10] Once again take to the streets in search of enigmatic posters.
[07:13] This time it was 8 locations in four different countries.
[07:15] Locations in four different countries but eventually the trail went cold.
[07:19] But eventually the trail went cold once again.
[07:22] Another select group of first arrivals have been accepted into a final private stage of the puzzle.
[07:24] Arrivals have been accepted into a final private stage of the puzzle.
[07:27] Unlike the first puzzle the second did not conclude with an official message from cicada.
[07:29] First puzzle the second did not conclude with an official message from cicada.
[07:33] With an official message from cicada the train merely went cold and cicada vanished once more.
[07:35] Train merely went cold and cicada vanished once more leaving us no closer to an explanation.
[07:38] Vanished once more leaving us no closer to an explanation however this was still not the end.
[07:41] To an explanation however this was still not the end.
[07:43] Not the end.
[07:48] At the beginning of 2014 it was time for round three.
[07:52] At the beginning of 2014 it was time for round three.
[07:53] Round three once again the image enclosed a message.
[07:56] Once again the image enclosed a message the message led to a book.
[07:58] The message led to a book the book produced the link and suffice it to say.
[08:00] Produced the link and suffice it to say it was more of the same except this time.
[08:03] It was more of the same except this time the puzzle seemed to revolve around a strange book.
[08:06] The puzzle seemed to revolve around a strange book the book was titled.
[08:08] Strange book the book was titled liebherr premium first book in latin and
[08:12] Liebherr premium first book in Latin and was evidently written by Cicada the.
[08:15] Was evidently written by Cicada the runic alphabet uncovered in 2013 finally.
[08:18] Runic alphabet uncovered in 2013 finally made sense as the book was primarily.
[08:20] Made sense as the book was primarily written in runes, even so the meaning of.
[08:24] Written in runes, even so the meaning of the translated pages were cryptic at.
[08:27] The translated pages were cryptic at best, the book consisted of areas.
[08:29] Best, the book consisted of areas philosophical and ideological ideas and.
[08:32] Philosophical and ideological ideas and appeared to be their manifesto, many have.
[08:34] Appeared to be their manifesto, many have since compared the strange writings to.
[08:37] Since compared the strange writings to that of a cult, nevertheless the book.
[08:39] That of a cult, nevertheless the book also comprised a myriad of clues and.
[08:42] Also comprised a myriad of clues and codes, for example this page advised.
[08:44] Codes, for example this page advised participants to seek out the website on.
[08:47] Participants to seek out the website on the Deep Web, but the site remains.
[08:49] The Deep Web, but the site remains undiscovered, another page led to a.
[08:51] Undiscovered, another page led to a website containing yet another recording.
[08:53] Website containing yet another recording titled interconnectedness.
[09:20] However, a significant portion of the book has yet to be translated.
[09:27] The Roenick text on some of the pages appear to be obfuscated by layers of encryption.
[09:31] That has yet to be decrypted after 74 pages featuring runes, only 19 have been successfully translated.
[09:40] As 2015 came and went without the launch of a new puzzle, many came to suspect the Liebherr Premium Plus to return.
[09:53] This was more or less confirmed at the beginning of 2016 when Cicada encouraged a reexamination of the book.
[10:01] More than four years have now gone by with minimal progress and near complete silence from Cicada.
[10:05] Questions raised by the original image have gone ignored.
[10:08] What is the purpose of these puzzles?
[10:11] Who's behind them?
[10:14] What happens when you reach the air?
[10:27] When the initial image appeared on 4chan back in 2012, many assumed Cicada 3301 to be an alternate reality game designed by a corporation to promote a new service or product.
[10:41] For example, Microsoft developed an elaborate ARG back in 2001 to promote the film Artificial Intelligence, and a similar viral marketing campaign was used to promote the release of Halo 2.
[10:52] But the release of subsequent puzzles and the complete lack of commercialization has more or less eliminated that possibility.
[10:59] If we choose to believe some of the leaked information from the private end stage of each puzzle, then we do gain some insight into who this group might be.
[11:10] For example, at the end of the first puzzle, finalists supposedly received this email.
[11:13] In it, Cicada described themselves as an international group who believe that privacy is an inalienable right.
[11:18] The aim of each puzzle is to recruit like-minded
[11:24] of each puzzle is to recruit like-minded individuals in an effort to develop privacy conscious solutions.
[11:28] The email then concludes with three questions.
[11:31] The PGP signature which would have confirmed the authenticity of the email was conveniently removed by the leaker.
[11:35] If a version that a valid signature does exist online I was unable to find it but regardless of its legitimacy I find this question a bit odd.
[11:45] It reads: Do you believe that information should be free?
[11:51] Assuming the expected answer is yes, then the very first sentence, "Do not share this information," seems a bit hypocritical.
[11:59] While the idea of a secret society recruiting individuals by means of elaborate cryptographic puzzles may seem a bit absurd or even conspiratorial, it's not entirely unfounded.
[12:11] Corporations and governments alike have employed similar recruitment techniques since at least the Second World War.
[12:17] In 2013, the British intelligence agency GCHQ who launched a recruitment program known as can you
[12:24] recruitment program known as can you find it?
[12:25] Find it participants had to decrypt a number of cryptograms hidden across the internet.
[12:29] And those who managed to solve the entire puzzle were offered a price or a position at the agency.
[12:33] Google did something similar with enigmatic billboards back in 2004 and the US Navy launched a near-identical project in 2014.
[12:44] Okay, but then what about the recruits?
[12:47] Why have we not heard from these chosen few?
[12:50] Well, we have, it's just that separating a legitimate finalist from an impostor is virtually impossible.
[12:57] In a 2015 interview with Rolling Stone, the alleged winners of the first puzzle chronicled the events beyond the final stage.
[13:06] After receiving an email from Cicada, they were taken to a forum on the dark web.
[13:08] Here they could communicate with 20 some-odd recruits as well as a handful of established members of Cicada.
[13:17] They were told that Cicada 3301 had been founded by a group of friends who shared common ideals about security, privacy, and...
[13:25] ideals about security privacy and censorship the goal was to work as a censorship the goal was to work as a collective to develop software applications in line with a ideology as friends recruited friends this secret society quickly expanded into a decentralized international organization.
[13:38] the recruits were then tasked with developing software that fit the ideology of the group and members of cicada would oversee their progress but without the allure of a puzzle to be solved the recruits quickly lost interest.
[13:51] by the end of 2012 all but one had left and a few months later the site was gone they never heard from cicada again.
[14:04] one of the two winners named Marcus Vanner later elaborated further in a video by youtuber Knox Populi.
[14:11] furthermore Knox Populi himself claims to be a winner of the second puzzle so I reached out to him and this is some of what he had to say.
[14:21] after completing the final stages of the second puzzle Knox Populi received an
[14:26] Second puzzle Knox Populi received an invitation to join Cicada 3301 however.
[14:29] Invitation to join Cicada 3301 however he was not invited to a website but was.
[14:32] He was not invited to a website but was instead merely told to be patient then.
[14:35] Instead merely told to be patient then around May of 2013 all communication.
[14:37] Around May of 2013 all communication with Takeda abruptly ceased this was.
[14:40] With Takeda abruptly ceased this was around the same time as when the website.
[14:42] Around the same time as when the website dedicated to the winners of the first.
[14:44] Dedicated to the winners of the first puzzle was suddenly taken down Knox.
[14:46] Puzzle was suddenly taken down Knox Populi later contacted other winners of.
[14:49] Populi later contacted other winners of the second puzzle to compare notes and.
[14:51] The second puzzle to compare notes and their experiences were identical in his.
[14:54] Their experiences were identical in his own words all the stories were the same.
[14:56] Own words all the stories were the same we were invited to join 3301 then.
[14:59] We were invited to join 3301 then something happened and silence followed.
[15:02] Something happened and silence followed a request for patience Knox populace a.
[15:05] A request for patience Knox populace a post at roughly five others completed.
[15:07] Post at roughly five others completed the second puzzle in contrast to the 20.
[15:09] The second puzzle in contrast to the 20 odd winners of the first in regards to.
[15:12] Odd winners of the first in regards to who or what Cicada is Knox Populi.
[15:15] Who or what Cicada is Knox Populi believes there could be a remnant of the.
[15:16] Believes there could be a remnant of the cyberpunk movement of the late 80s and.
[15:19] Cyberpunk movement of the late 80s and 90s essentially a small group of.
[15:21] 90s essentially a small group of activists advocating widespread use of.
[15:24] Activists advocating widespread use of strong cryptography and privacy.
[15:26] strong cryptography and privacy enhancing technologies but he admits
[15:28] enhancing technologies but he admits that there is no way to know for certain
[15:30] that there is no way to know for certain if you want the far more comprehensive
[15:32] if you want the far more comprehensive walkthrough of these puzzles as opposed
[15:34] walkthrough of these puzzles as opposed to my brief overview Knox popular has
[15:37] to my brief overview Knox popular has produced a number of videos in his
[15:38] produced a number of videos in his channel which I highly recommend
[15:41] channel which I highly recommend while these accounts cannot be verified
[15:44] while these accounts cannot be verified they do make for a very compelling
[15:46] they do make for a very compelling argument as to what cicada is a group of
[15:49] argument as to what cicada is a group of anonymous developers seeking to develop
[15:52] anonymous developers seeking to develop privacy conscious applications by
[15:54] privacy conscious applications by recruiting talented individuals via
[15:56] recruiting talented individuals via cryptographic puzzles sure it is not
[15:59] cryptographic puzzles sure it is not nearly as exciting as a shadow
[16:01] nearly as exciting as a shadow government seeking world domination or
[16:03] government seeking world domination or any of the more fantastical theories but
[16:05] any of the more fantastical theories but it is certainly more plausible you have
[16:08] it is certainly more plausible you have to keep in mind that no part of these
[16:10] to keep in mind that no part of these puzzles would have required more than
[16:13] puzzles would have required more than one person the posters are often pointed
[16:15] one person the posters are often pointed is evidence that this must be the work
[16:17] is evidence that this must be the work of some international organization but I
[16:20] beg to differ I mean right now I could use any number of services to hire
[16:23] use any number of services to hire random persons around the globe to
[16:28] random persons around the globe to install posters for me although given that no poster was located more than an hour away from an airport leads me to believe that one or multiple persons actually traveled to these locations.
[16:40] I mean some of the posters were found within walking distance of an International Airport.
[16:46] The fact is that anyone with a disposable income and enough time on their hands would be able to create the illusion of a vast secret network spanning the globe.
[16:53] Not saying that that is the case with cicada 3301 but it is nonetheless a possibility that cannot be discounted.
[17:02] With all of that being said I personally think a loose-knit group of privacy minded hobby cryptographers to be the most plausible explanation.
[17:13] Cicada made their last public statement in April of 2017 merely warning against this information but the current status of the third puzzle and the possibility of a fourth remains clouded in mystery.
[17:29] Clouded in mystery.
[17:49] I know it's nice.