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{{Short description|Internet puzzle and mystery}}

[[File:Cicada 3301 logo.jpg|thumb|Cicada 3301 logo]]
[[File:Cicada 3301 logo.jpg|thumb|Cicada 3301 logo]]
'''Cicada 3301''' is a name given to an enigmatic organization that on four occasions has posted a set of complex [[puzzle]]s and [[alternate reality game]]s to recruit codebreakers from the public.<ref name=DT>{{cite news|title=The internet mystery that has the world baffled|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/10468112/The-internet-mystery-that-has-the-world-baffled.html|accessdate=25 November 2013|newspaper=[[Daily Telegraph]]|date=25 November 2013|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6LOtGCgjR|archivedate=25 November 2013|deadurl= no}}</ref> The first internet puzzle started on January 4, 2012, and ran for approximately one month. A second round began one year later on January 4, 2013, and a third round is ongoing following confirmation of a fresh clue posted on Twitter on January 4, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bell|first=Chris|title=Cicada 3301 update: the baffling internet mystery is back|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/10555088/Cicada-3301-update-the-baffling-internet-mystery-is-back.html|newspaper=[[Daily Telegraph]]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6MRiyOtNI|archivedate=January 7, 2014|deadurl= no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Hern|first=Alex|title=Cicada 3301: I tried the hardest puzzle on the internet and failed spectacularly|url=http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jan/10/cicada-3301-i-tried-the-hardest-puzzle-on-the-internet-and-failed-spectacularly|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6MXZVFBAz|archivedate=January 11, 2014|deadurl= no}}</ref> 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. No new puzzles were published on January 4, 2015. However, a new puzzle was posted on Twitter on January 5, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|last1=3301|first1=Cicada|title=Cicada 3301's new puzzle (Dead Image)|url=https://twitter.com/1231507051321/status/684596461628223488|archivedate=January 5, 2016|archive-url=http://i.imgur.com/o2Polrv.jpg|deadurl= no}}</ref> The puzzles focused heavily on [[data security]], [[cryptography]], and [[steganography]].<ref name=DT /><ref>{{cite news|title=Is mystery internet challenge a recruiting tool for the CIA?|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/is-mystery-internet-challenge-a-recruiting-tool-for-the-cia|newspaper=[[Channel 4 News]]|date=27 November 2013|accessdate=27 November 2013|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6LS6avtoB|archivedate=27 November 2013|deadurl= no}}</ref><ref name="mentalfloss">{{cite web|last=Lipinski|first=Jed|title=Chasing the Cicada: Exploring the Darkest Corridors of the Internet|url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/31932/chasing-cicada-exploring-darkest-corridors-internet|publisher=Mental_Floss|accessdate=17 December 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6LOyKKRLV|archivedate=25 November 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name=WashingtonTimesErnst>{{cite news|last=Ernst|first=Douglas|title=Secret society seeks world's brightest: Recruits navigate ‘darknet’ filled with terrorism, drugs|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/nov/26/secret-society-seeks-worlds-smartest-cicada-3301-r/|accessdate=13 December 2013|newspaper=The Washington Times|date=November 26, 2013|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6M8OuwP3Q|archivedate=25 December 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name=Telegraph2>{{cite news|last=Bell|first=Chris|title=Cicada 3301 update: the baffling internet mystery is back|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/10555088/Cicada-3301-update-the-baffling-internet-mystery-is-back.html|accessdate=10 January 2014|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=7 January 2014}}</ref>


'''Cicada 3301''' is the name given to three sets of [[puzzle]]s posted under the name "3301" online between 2012 and 2014. The first puzzle started on January 4, 2012,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3025785/meet-the-man-who-solved-the-mysterious-cicada-3301-puzzle|title=Meet The Man Who Solved The Mysterious Cicada 214 Puzzle|author=Michael Grothaus|date=25 November 2014|access-date=23 May 2024
It has been called "the most elaborate and mysterious puzzle of the internet age"<ref name=metro>{{cite news|last=Scott|first=Sam|title=Cicada 3301: The most elaborate and mysterious puzzle of the internet age|url=http://metro.co.uk/2013/12/16/cicada-3301-the-most-elaborate-and-mysterious-puzzle-of-the-internet-age-4229892/|accessdate=16 December 2013|newspaper=Metro|date=16 December 2013}}</ref> and is listed as one of the "top 5 eeriest, unsolved mysteries of the internet" by ''[[The Washington Post]]'',<ref>{{cite news|last=Dewey|first=Caitlin|title=Five of the Internet's eeriest, unsolved mysteries|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2014/05/02/five-of-the-internets-eeriest-unsolved-mysteries/|accessdate=2 May 2014|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=12 May 2014}}</ref> and much speculation exists as to its purpose. Many have speculated that the puzzles are a recruitment tool for the [[National Security Agency|NSA]], [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]], [[MI6]], hactivist group Anonymous,or a cyber mercenary group.<ref name="DT" /><ref name="mentalfloss" /> Others have claimed Cicada 3301 is an [[alternate reality game]], but the fact that no company or individual has taken credit or tried to monetize it, combined with the fact that no known individuals that solved the puzzles have ever come forward, has led most to feel that it is not.<ref name=metro /> Others have claimed it is run by a bank working on [[cryptocurrency]].<ref name=metro />
}}</ref> on [[4chan]]<ref name="DT">{{cite news |title=The internet mystery that has the world baffled over its difficulty |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/10468112/The-internet-mystery-that-has-the-world-baffled.html |access-date=25 November 2013 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=25 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131125232546/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/10468112/The-internet-mystery-that-has-the-world-baffled.html |archive-date=25 November 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and ran for nearly a month. A second round of puzzles began one year later on January 4, 2013, and then a third round following the confirmation of a fresh clue posted on [[Twitter]] on January 4, 2014.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bell |first=Chris |title=Cicada 3301 update: the baffling internet mystery is back |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/10555088/Cicada-3301-update-the-baffling-internet-mystery-is-back.html |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412221235/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/10555088/Cicada-3301-update-the-baffling-internet-mystery-is-back.html |archive-date=April 12, 2018 |url-status=dead |access-date=April 5, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jan/10/cicada-3301-i-tried-the-hardest-puzzle-on-the-internet-and-failed-spectacularly|title=Cicada 3301: I tried the hardest puzzle on the internet and failed spectacularly|last=Hern|first=Alex|date=January 10, 2014|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221103210/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jan/10/cicada-3301-i-tried-the-hardest-puzzle-on-the-internet-and-failed-spectacularly|archive-date=December 21, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The third puzzle remains unsolved. The stated intent was to recruit "intelligent individuals" by presenting a series of puzzles to be solved; no new puzzles were published on January 4, 2015. A new clue was posted on Twitter on January 5, 2016.<ref>{{citation |url=https://infotomb.com/4gq25.jpg |title=Puzzle Image |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116224659/https://infotomb.com/4gq25.jpg |archive-date=2016-01-16 | url-status=dead |access-date=2016-05-14 }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=1231507051321|number=684596461628223488|title=Cicada 3301's new puzzle (Dead Image)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507083500/https://X.com/1231507051321/status/684596461628223488|author=Cicada 3301|archive-date=May 7, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Cicada 3301 posted their last verified [[OpenPGP]]-signed message in April 2017, denying the validity of any unsigned puzzle.<ref name="threat stack website">{{cite web|last=Threat Stack|title=Cicadas & Security, Part 2: When a Verified PGP Key Takes You on a Trip to the Desert|date=19 April 2017|url=https://blog.threatstack.com/cicadas-security-part-2-when-a-verified-pgp-key-takes-you-on-a-trip-to-the-desert|access-date=18 May 2017|archive-date=2 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802043935/https://blog.threatstack.com/cicadas-security-part-2-when-a-verified-pgp-key-takes-you-on-a-trip-to-the-desert|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The puzzles focused heavily on [[data security]], [[cryptography]], [[steganography]], and [[Internet]] [[anonymity]].<ref name="mentalfloss">{{cite web |last=Lipinski |first=Jed |title=Chasing the Cicada: Exploring the Darkest Corridors of the Internet |url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/31932/chasing-cicada-exploring-darkest-corridors-internet |publisher=Mental_Floss |access-date=17 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920023142/http://mentalfloss.com/article/31932/chasing-cicada-exploring-darkest-corridors-internet |archive-date=20 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="WashingtonTimesErnst">{{cite news |last=Ernst |first=Douglas |title=Secret society seeks world's brightest: Recruits navigate 'darknet' filled with terrorism, drugs |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/nov/26/secret-society-seeks-worlds-smartest-cicada-3301-r/ |access-date=13 December 2013 |newspaper=The Washington Times |date=November 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925204905/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/nov/26/secret-society-seeks-worlds-smartest-cicada-3301-r/ |archive-date=25 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Telegraph2">{{cite news|last=Bell|first=Chris|title=Cicada 3301 update: the baffling internet mystery is back|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/10555088/Cicada-3301-update-the-baffling-internet-mystery-is-back.html|access-date=10 January 2014|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=7 January 2014}}</ref> It has been called "the most elaborate and mysterious puzzle of the Internet age",<ref name="metro">{{cite news|last=Scott|first=Sam|title=Cicada 3301: The most elaborate and mysterious puzzle of the internet age|url=http://metro.co.uk/2013/12/16/cicada-3301-the-most-elaborate-and-mysterious-puzzle-of-the-internet-age-4229892/|access-date=16 December 2013|newspaper=Metro|date=16 December 2013}}</ref> and is listed as one of the "top 5 eeriest, unsolved mysteries of the Internet" by ''[[The Washington Post]]'',<ref>{{cite news|last=Dewey|first=Caitlin|title=Five of the Internet's eeriest, unsolved mysteries|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2014/05/02/five-of-the-internets-eeriest-unsolved-mysteries/|access-date=2 May 2014|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=21 May 2014}}</ref> and much speculation exists as to its function. Many have speculated that the puzzles are a recruitment tool for the [[NSA]], [[CIA]],<ref name=":2">{{cite news |title=Is mystery internet challenge a recruiting tool for the CIA? |url=http://www.channel4.com/news/is-mystery-internet-challenge-a-recruiting-tool-for-the-cia |newspaper=[[Channel 4 News]] |date=27 November 2013 |access-date=27 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150828205734/http://www.channel4.com/news/is-mystery-internet-challenge-a-recruiting-tool-for-the-cia |archive-date=28 August 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[MI6]], a "[[Masonic conspiracy]]",<ref>{{cite news|last=Vincent|first=James|title=Masonic conspiracy or MI6 recruitment tool? Internet mystery Cicada 3301 starts up again|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/masonic-conspiracy-or-mi6-recruitment-tool-internet-mystery-cicada-3301-starts-up-again-9044049.html|access-date=2 October 2017|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=7 January 2014}}</ref> or a cyber mercenary group.<ref name="DT"/><ref name="mentalfloss"/> Others have stated Cicada 3301 is an [[alternate reality game]], although no company or individual has attempted to monetize it.<ref name=metro/>


==Purpose==
==Purpose==
The stated purpose of the puzzles each year has been to recruit "highly intelligent individuals," though the ultimate purpose remains unknown.<ref name=DT /> Some<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kushner|first1=David|title=Cicada: Solving the Web's Deepest Mystery|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/cicada-solving-the-webs-deepest-mystery-20150115|accessdate=20 June 2015|issue=1227|publisher=Rolling Stone|date=29 January 2015}}</ref> have claimed that Cicada 3301 is a secret society with the goal of improving [[cryptography]], [[privacy]] and [[anonymity]].<ref name=WNYC>{{cite news|last=Tucker|first=Daniel|title=Meet the Teenage Codebreaker Who Helped Solve the Cicada 3301 Internet Puzzle|url=http://www.wnyc.org/story/meet-teenage-codebreaker-who-helped-solve-cicada-3301-internet-puzzle/|accessdate=13 May 2014|newspaper=NPR/WNYC New Tech City|date=30 December 2013}}</ref> Others<ref name=DaileyTim>{{cite book|last1=Dailey|first1=Timothy|title=The Paranormal Conspiracy: The Truth about Ghosts, Aliens and Mysterious Beings|publisher=Chosen Books|isbn=0800797760|pages=145-161}}</ref> have claimed that Cicada 3301 is a cult or religion.
The stated purpose of the puzzles each year was to recruit "highly intelligent individuals", although the ultimate purpose remains unknown.<ref name=DT /> Theories have included claims that Cicada 3301 is a secret society with the goal of improving [[cryptography]], [[privacy]], and [[anonymity]] or that it is a cult or religion.<ref name="RS">{{cite news|last1=Kushner|first1=David|title=Cicada: Solving the Web's Deepest Mystery|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/cicada-solving-the-webs-deepest-mystery-20150115|access-date=20 June 2015|issue=1227|publisher=Rolling Stone|date=29 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="WNYC">{{cite news|last=Tucker|first=Daniel|title=Meet the Teenage Codebreaker Who Helped Solve the Cicada 3301 Internet Puzzle|url=http://www.wnyc.org/story/meet-teenage-codebreaker-who-helped-solve-cicada-3301-internet-puzzle/|access-date=13 May 2014|newspaper=NPR/WNYC New Tech City|date=30 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="DaileyTim">{{cite book|last1=Dailey|first1=Timothy|title=The Paranormal Conspiracy: The Truth about Ghosts, Aliens and Mysterious Beings|publisher=Chosen Books|isbn=978-0800797768|pages=145–161|date=2015-07-07}}</ref> According to statements of several people who won the 2012 puzzle, 3301 typically uses non-puzzle-based recruiting methods, but created the Cicada puzzles because they were looking for potential members with cryptography and computer security skills.<ref name="RS" />


==Resolution==
==Resolution==
The first puzzle, of 2013, was solved by Marcus Wanner.<ref name="Great Big Story">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RatbYqc0-jE|title=Cracking the Code of Cicada 3301|website=YouTube|date=14 August 2019 |publisher=[[Great Big Story]]|language=en|access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref> According to him, those who solved the puzzles were asked questions about their support of information freedom, online privacy and freedom, and rejection of censorship. Those who answered satisfactorily at this stage were invited to a private forum, where they were instructed to devise and complete a project intended to further the ideals of the group.<ref name="RS" /> He did not finish his work on a method of general decryption and the website was removed.{{cn|date=December 2021}}
The ultimate outcome of all three rounds of Cicada 3301 recruiting is still a mystery. The final known puzzles became both highly complex and individualized as the game unfolded. Anonymous individuals have claimed to have "won," but verification from the organization was never made and the individuals making the claim have not been forthcoming with information.<ref name="mentalfloss" /><ref name=WashingtonTimesErnst /><ref>{{cite news|last=Staff|first=NPR|title=The Internet's Cicada: A Mystery Without An Answer|url=http://www.npr.org/2014/01/05/259959632/the-internets-cicada-a-mystery-without-an-answer|accessdate=13 May 2014|newspaper=All Things Considered, National Public Radio|date=5 January 2014}}</ref>

An email was reportedly sent to some individuals who completed the 2012 puzzle, revealing that those who successfully solved the puzzles were given a personality assessment. Those who passed this stage were reportedly admitted into the organization, although nothing more is known.<ref name=WNYC />


===Types of clues===
===Types of clues===


[[File:Cicada 3301 poster locations.png|thumb|Locations of the physical paper signs from the 2012 puzzle]]
The Cicada 3301 clues have spanned many different communication media including [[internet]], [[telephone]], original [[music]], bootable [[Linux]] CDs, [[digital images]], physical [[paper]] signs, and pages of unpublished cryptic [[book]]s. 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.<ref name=DT /> Each clue has been signed by the same [[GnuPG]] private key to confirm authenticity.<ref name="Telegraph2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.zmescience.com/other/feature-post/cicada-3301-puzzle-brightest-minds-posted-unknown-mysterious-organizationt/|title = Cicada 3301: A puzzle for the brightest minds, posted by an unknown, mysterious organization|date = April 28, 2014|accessdate = February 26, 2015|website = ZME Science|publisher = |last = Mihai|first = Andrei}}</ref>
The Cicada 3301 clues spanned many different forms of communication media, including but not limited to the Internet, telephone, original music, bootable [[Linux]] CDs, [[digital image]]s, physical paper signs, and pages of unpublished cryptic books written in runes. In total, there were two pieces of music, titled "The Instar Emergence" and "Interconnectedness", accompanying the Cicada clues. However, neither of them were part of [[Standard (music)#The standard repertoire (classical music)|a standard repertoire]], and neither the composers nor performers have been identified. Cicada 3301 also wrote a book, titled ''Liber Primus'' (Latin for ''First Book''), which contains many pages, only some of which have been decrypted. In addition to using many varying techniques to encrypt, encode, or hide data, these clues also referenced a wide variety of books, poetry, artwork, and music.<ref name=DT /> Each clue was signed by the same [[OpenPGP]] private key to confirm authenticity.<ref name="Telegraph2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.zmescience.com/other/feature-post/cicada-3301-puzzle-brightest-minds-posted-unknown-mysterious-organizationt/|title = Cicada 3301: A puzzle for the brightest minds, posted by an unknown, mysterious organization|date = April 28, 2014|access-date = February 26, 2015|website = ZME Science|last = Mihai|first = Andrei}}</ref>

Among others these referenced works include:

{{Col-begin|width=100%}}
{{Col-break|width=38%}}
Literary and artistic references:

* ''[[Agrippa (A Book of the Dead)]]'', a poem by [[William Gibson]]
* ''[[The Ancient of Days]]'', a design by [[William Blake]]
* [[Anglo-Saxon runes|Anglo-Saxon Rune]] alphabet
* [[Johann Sebastian Bach]]
* [[Cuneiform]]
* [[Ecclesiastes]]
* [[M. C. Escher]]
* [[Francisco Goya]]
* ''[[Gödel, Escher, Bach]]'', a book by [[Douglas Hofstadter]]
* [[Koan|Kōans]]
* ''[[Liber AL vel Legis]]'' by [[Aleister Crowley]]
* ''[[The Lady of Shalott (painting)|The Lady of Shalott]]'', a painting by [[John William Waterhouse]]
* [[The Mabinogion]], a series of pre-Christian Welsh manuscripts
* [[Maya numerals|Mayan Numerology]]
* ''[[The Marriage of Heaven and Hell]]'', a book by [[William Blake]]
* ''[[Nebuchadnezzar (Blake)|Nebuchadnezzar]]'', a design by [[William Blake]]
* ''[[Newton (Blake)|Newton]]'', a design by [[William Blake]]
* ''[[Self-Reliance]]'' by [[Ralph Waldo Emerson]]
* ''Song of Liberty'', a poem by [[William Blake]]
* ''[[Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder]]'' by [[Nassim Nicholas Taleb]]
{{Col-break|width=24%}}

Philosophical references:

* [[Collective consciousness]] and [[collective intelligence]]
* [[Ego death]]
* [[Esotericism]]
* [[Gematria]]
* [[Global brain]]
* [[Jesuit|Jesuit Philosophy]]
* [[Jung|Carl Jung]]
* [[Kabbalah]] and [[Hermetic Qabalah]]
* [[Kierkegaard|Søren Kierkegaard]]
* [[Nietzsche|Friedrich Nietzsche]]
* [[Grigori Rasputin]]
* [[Sartre|Jean-Paul Sartre]]
* [[Robert Anton Wilson]]
* [[Zen|Zen Buddhism]]
{{Col-break|width=38%}}

Cryptographic, mathematical, and technological references:

* [[Atbash]] cipher
* [[Book cipher]]s
* [[Caesar cipher]]
* [[Diffie–Hellman key exchange]]
* [[Factorization]]
:*[[General number field sieve]]
* [[Kurt Gödel]] and his [[Gödel's incompleteness theorems|incompleteness theorems]]
* [[GNU Privacy Guard|GNU Privacy Guard (GnuPG or GPG)]]
* [[Francis Heylighen]]
* [[GNU]]/[[Linux]]
* [[Magic square]]s
* [[Number theory]]
* [[Prime number]]s
* [[Pretty Good Privacy]]
* [[RSA (algorithm)|RSA Encryption Algorithm]]
* [[Self-reference]]
* [[Shamir's Secret Sharing]] Scheme
* [[Steganography]] in digital images, text, and [[Internet protocol suite|network protocols]]
* [[Strange loop]]s
* [[Tor (anonymity network)|The Onion Router (Tor)]]
* [[Transposition ciphers]]
* [[Vigenère Cipher]]
{{Col-end}}

===Physical locations of clues===

Throughout the testing, multiple clues have required participants to travel to various places to retrieve the next clue. These clue locations have included the following cities:

{{Div col||20em}}
* [[Annapolis, Maryland]], US
* [[Chino, California]], US
* [[Columbus, Georgia]], US
* [[Dallas, Texas]], US
* [[Erskineville|Erskineville, Australia]]
* [[Fayetteville, Arkansas]], US
* [[Granada, Spain]]
* [[Greenville, Texas]], US
* [[Haleiwa, Hawaii]], US
* [[Little Rock, Arkansas]], US
* [[Los Angeles, California]], US
* [[Miami, Florida]], US
* [[Moscow, Russia]]
* [[New Orleans, Louisiana]], US
* [[Okinawa, Japan]]
* [[Paris, France]]
* [[Portland, Oregon]], US
* [[Seattle, Washington]], US
* [[Seoul, South Korea]]
* [[Warsaw, Poland]]
* [[Mexico City, Mexico]]
{{Div col end}}

Speculation that the Cicada 3301 organization is large and well-funded is supported by the existence of clues in a large number of locations, all quite distant from one another, appearing at the same time.<ref name="mentalfloss" /><ref name=WashingtonTimesErnst />


==Allegations against the group==
==Allegations against the group==


===Allegations of illegal activity===
===Allegations of illegal activity===
Authorities from the [[Los Andes Province, Chile|Los Andes Province]] of [[Chile]] claim that Cicada 3301 is a "hacker group" and engaged in illegal activities. Cicada 3301 responded to this claim by issuing a [[Pretty Good Privacy|PGP]]-signed statement denying any involvement in illegal activity. <ref name="andesonline">{{cite web|last=Andes Online|title=PDI advierte sobre nueva modalidad de estafa por internet a través de google|url=http://www.losandesonline.cl/noticias/17643/11042012-pdi-advierte-sobre-nueva-modalidad-de-estafa-por-internet-a-traves-de-google.html|publisher=Andes Online}}</ref><ref name="pastebin">{{cite web|last=Pastebin|title=PGP signed Cicada message|url=http://pastebin.com/iJCnw8EW}}</ref>
Authorities from the [[Los Andes Province, Chile|Los Andes Province]] of [[Chile]] claimed that Cicada 3301 is a "hacker group" and engaged in illegal activities. Cicada 3301 responded to this claim by issuing a [[OpenPGP|PGP]]-signed statement denying any involvement in illegal activity.<ref name="andesonline">{{cite web|last=Andes Online|title=PDI advierte sobre nueva modalidad de estafa por internet a través de google|url=http://www.losandesonline.cl/noticias/17643/11042012-pdi-advierte-sobre-nueva-modalidad-de-estafa-por-internet-a-traves-de-google.html|publisher=Andes Online}}</ref><ref name="pastebin">{{cite web|last=Pastebin|title=PGP signed Cicada message|url=http://pastebin.com/iJCnw8EW}}</ref>


In July 2015, a group calling themselves "3301" claimed to have hacked [[Planned Parenthood]];<ref>{{cite web|last1=Oh|first1=Inae|title=Anti-Abortion Hackers Claim to Have Stolen Data That Could Take Down Planned Parenthood|url=http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2015/07/planned-parenthood-reportedly-hacked-3301|website=Mother Jones|accessdate=28 July 2015}}</ref> however, the group appears to have no connection to Cicada 3301.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Turton|first1=William|title=Anti-abortion hackers attack Planned Parenthood, release databases, employee data|url=http://www.dailydot.com/politics/planned-parenthood-hacked-anti-abortion-3301/|website=Daily Dot|accessdate=28 July 2015}}</ref> Cicada 3301 later issued a PGP-signed statement stating they "are not associated with this group in any way" and also stated that Cicada 3301 does not "condone their use of our name, number, or symbolism."<ref>{{cite web|last1=3301|first1=Cicada|title=Public Statement|url=https://twitter.com/1231507051321/status/625902337266204673}}</ref> The hacker group later confirmed that they are not affiliated with Cicada 3301.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hacker Group|title=Public Statement|url=https://twitter.com/33oh1/status/625924250453602304}}</ref>
In July 2015, a group calling themselves "3301" hacked into [[Planned Parenthood]]'s database;<ref>{{cite web|last1=Oh|first1=Inae|title=Anti-Abortion Hackers Claim to Have Stolen Data That Could Take Down Planned Parenthood|url=https://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2015/07/planned-parenthood-reportedly-hacked-3301|website=Mother Jones|access-date=28 July 2015}}</ref> however, the group appeared to have no association with Cicada 3301.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Turton|first1=William|title=Anti-abortion hackers attack Planned Parenthood, release databases, employee data|url=http://www.dailydot.com/politics/planned-parenthood-hacked-anti-abortion-3301/|website=Daily Dot|date=27 July 2015|access-date=28 July 2015}}</ref> Cicada 3301 later issued a PGP-signed statement stating they "are not associated with this group in any way" and also stated that Cicada 3301 did not "condone their use of our name, number, or symbolism".<ref>{{cite tweet|author=Cicada 3301|title=Public Statement|user=1231507051321|number=625902337266204673}}</ref> The hacker group later confirmed that they were not affiliated with Cicada 3301.<ref>{{cite tweet|author=Hacker Group|title=Public Statement|user=33oh1|number=625924250453602304}}</ref>


===Claims of being a cult===
=== QAnon ===
{{further information|QAnon}}
As the group has gained notoriety and public attention, many have asserted that the puzzles are an introduction to [[occult]] principles, and possibly even recruitment for a [[cult]]. Dr. Tim Dailey, a senior research fellow with the [[Family Research Council]] analyzed the teachings of Cicada 3301, and stated "the enigmatic Cicada 3301 appears to be drawing participants inexorably into the dark web of the occult a la [[Helena Blavatsky|Blavatsky]] and [[Aleister Crowley|Crowley]]. At the heart of the enchantment is the counterfeit promise of ultimate meaning through self-divination."<ref name=DaileyTim></ref><ref name=MillenialMysticism>{{cite book|last1=Ross|first1=Benjamin|title=Millenial Mysticism|isbn=1512043052|pages=115-121|edition=1}}</ref>
During the first months of QAnon's existence, there were rumors that Cicada 3301 had created QAnon.<ref name="dailydot">{{Cite news |last=Rothschild |first=Mike |date=May 29, 2018 |title=Who is Q Anon, the internet's most mysterious poster? |work=The Daily Dot |url=https://www.dailydot.com/layer8/who-is-q-anon/ |access-date=July 5, 2018}}</ref> One early QAnon promoter urged Cicada 3301 puzzlers to help decode Q's messages.<ref>{{cite book |
last1=Bloom |first1=Mia |last2=Moskalenko |first2=Sophia |title=Pastels and Pedophiles: Inside the Mind of QAnon |date=2021 |publisher=Stanford University Press |location=Stanford, CA |isbn=9781503630611 |page=8 |url=http://www.sup.org/books/title/?id=34673 |chapter=1}}</ref>


==Legacy and popular culture==
Dailey analyzed the puzzles and the Cicada 3301's book ''[[Liber Primus]]'' and summarized some of the groups' core beliefs:<ref name=DaileyTim></ref>
The [[United States Navy]] released a cryptographic challenge based on the Cicada 3301 recruitment puzzles in 2014 calling it Project Architeuthis.<ref>{{cite news|last=McEvoy|first=Maria|title=US Navy attempting to recruit cryptologists through Facebook game|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10799470/US-Navy-attempting-to-recruit-cryptologists-through-Facebook-game.html|access-date=1 May 2014|newspaper=Telegraph|date=30 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Stanely|first=T.L.|title=The U.S. Navy Wants You – To Solve This Puzzle|date=29 April 2014|url=http://mashable.com/2014/04/28/us-navy-codebreaker-game/|publisher=Mashable|access-date=1 May 2014}}</ref>


The plot of "[[Nautilus (Person of Interest)|Nautilus]]", a 2014 episode of ''[[Person of Interest (TV series)|Person of Interest]]'', featured a large-scale game very similar to the Cicada 3301 puzzles. Both feature a series of worldwide cryptographic puzzles, but as the title implies, these feature the image of a [[nautilus]] shell instead of a cicada logo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/person-interest-nautilus-209927|title=Review: Person Of Interest: 'Nautilus'|last=Planje|first=Alexa|publisher=A.V. Club|date=1 October 2014|access-date=1 October 2014}}</ref> ''Person of Interest'' creator [[Jonathan Nolan]] and producer Greg Plageman stated in an interview that Cicada 3301 was the inspiration for the episode: "Episode 2, I'm particularly fascinated by the subject underneath it. Look up Cicada 3301 on the Internet. It's a very interesting concept out there that we then put into a larger story that connects to our show".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Roffman|first1=Marisa|title=Person of Interest Season 4: Greg Plageman and Jonathan Nolan Tease a Cold War, the Loss of Sanctuary, and More|url=http://www.givememyremote.com/remote/2014/09/23/person-of-interest-season-4-greg-plageman-and-jonathan-nolan-tease-season-4s-cold-war-the-loss-of-sanctuary-and-more/|website=Give Me My Remote|access-date=7 October 2014}}</ref>
{{Col-begin|width=100%}}
{{Col-break|width=38%}}
* There is no inherent meaning in anything, and all is "[[Existential nihilism|empty and meaningless]]"
* Within each person is an ideal state akin to [[Nietzsche]]'s [[Übermensch]]
* The existence of an [[Emergence|emergent]] god-like [[Global brain]] made up of all living things and technology, as described by cyberneticist [[Francis Heylighen]]
* There is no need for [[salvation]], because there is nothing from which we must be saved
* There is no "real" [[reality]], and what we perceive as reality may be a [[Hyperreality|simulation]]
* Their use of the term "intelligence" rather than "person" throughout the ''[[Liber Primus]]'' seems to indicate belief, or at least concern for, [[sentient]] [[artificial intelligence]].
* Many of their writings and beliefs focus on [[ego death]]
*''[[Liber Primus]]'' and other Cicadian texts adhere to an internal [[English Qabalah|Qabalah]] system based around Cicada 3301's [[Gematria Primus]]
{{Div col end}}


The organization is the subject of the 2021 comedy-thriller film ''[[Dark Web: Cicada 3301]]''.<ref name="Phreaker">{{cite web |last1=Hipes |first1=Patrick |title=Phreaker Films Launches With Silicon Valley VC Cash; Alan Ritchson To Run It |url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/phreaker-films-alan-ritchson-marina-acton-company-1202312468/ |website=Deadline |access-date=14 October 2019 |date=6 March 2018}}</ref><ref name="Cicada">{{cite web |last1=Ramos |first1=Dino-Ray |title=Grindstone Acquires Alan Ritchson's Comedy-Thriller 'Cicada 3301' |url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/grindstone-entertainment-group-acquires-alan-ritchson-comedy-thriller-cicada-3301-lionsgate-1234574677/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=10 September 2020 |date=10 September 2020}}</ref> Directed by [[Alan Ritchson]], who co-wrote the script with Joshua Montcalm, it stars [[Jack Kesy]], [[Conor Leslie]], [[Ron Funches]], [[Kris Holden-Ried]], Andreas Apergis, and Ritchson. The film follows a hacker who participates in Cicada's recruitment game while evading the [[National Security Agency]] (NSA).<ref name="RedBand">{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Tim |title=Dark Web: Cicada 3301 Red-Band Trailer Recruits Titans Stars |url=https://www.cbr.com/dark-web-cicada-3301-titans-red-band-trailer/ |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |access-date=28 January 2021 |date=13 January 2021}}</ref><ref name="DarkWeb">{{cite web |last1=Price |first1=Jason |title='Dark Web: Cicada 3301' – Cyber-Thriller Starring Alan Ritchson Hits Digital and On Demand March 12! |url=https://www.iconvsicon.com/2021/01/14/dark-web-cicada-3301-cyber-thriller-starring-alan-ritchson-hits-digital-and-on-demand-on-march-12/ |website=Icon Vs. Icon |access-date=28 January 2021 |date=14 January 2021}}</ref>
Others have claimed that the Cicada 3301 puzzles are a modern and technological equivalent to the enlightenment journey within [[Western esotericism]] and [[Mystery school]]s.<ref name=MillenialMysticism></ref>


In the video game ''[[Assassin's Creed Origins]]'', a member of the Isu civilisation references Cicada when listing off various mysteries of history.<ref name="Assassins Creed Origins First Civilisation Segment 5">{{cite web | title=Assassins Creed Origins First Civilisation Segment 5 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za6VNwp7IMU&t=259s | website=YouTube | date=27 October 2017 |access-date=27 October 2017}} </ref>
==Influence==
The [[United States Navy]] released a cryptographic challenge based on the Cicada 3301 recruitment puzzles in 2014 calling it Project Architeuthis.<ref>{{cite news|last=McEvoy|first=Maria|title=US Navy attempting to recruit cryptologists through Facebook game|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10799470/US-Navy-attempting-to-recruit-cryptologists-through-Facebook-game.html|accessdate=1 May 2014|newspaper=Telegraph|date=30 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Stanely|first=T.L.|title=The U.S. Navy Wants You – To Solve This Puzzle|url=http://mashable.com/2014/04/28/us-navy-codebreaker-game/|publisher=Mashable|accessdate=1 May 2014}}</ref>


The Cicada 3301 puzzles play a major role in the visual novel ''[[Anonymous;Code]]''.
The plot of "Nautilus", the [[List of Person of Interest episodes#Season 4 (2014)|September 30, 2014 episode]] of the TV show ''[[Person of Interest (TV series)|Person of Interest]]'', featured a large-scale game very similar to the Cicada 3301 puzzles. Both feature a series of worldwide cryptographic puzzles, but as the title implies, these feature the image of a [[nautilus]] shell instead of a cicada logo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/person-interest-nautilus-209927|title=Review: Person Of Interest: "Nautilus"|last=Planje|first=Alexa|publisher=A.V. Club|date=1 October 2014|accessdate=1 October 2014}}</ref> ''Person of Interest'' creator [[Jonathan Nolan]] and producer [[Greg Plageman]] stated in an interview that Cicada 3301 was the inspiration for the episode: "Episode 2, I’m particularly fascinated by the subject underneath it. Look up Cicada 3301 on the internet. It’s a very interesting concept out there that we then put into a larger story that connects to our show."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Roffman|first1=Marisa|title=PERSON OF INTEREST Season 4: Greg Plageman and Jonathan Nolan Tease a Cold War, the Loss of Sanctuary, and More|url=http://www.givememyremote.com/remote/2014/09/23/person-of-interest-season-4-greg-plageman-and-jonathan-nolan-tease-season-4s-cold-war-the-loss-of-sanctuary-and-more/|website=Give Me My Remote|accessdate=7 October 2014}}</ref> The game is eventually revealed to have been created by Samaritan, a malicious [[artificial intelligence]] that serves as the main antagonist of the show's fourth season, as a means of recruiting operatives.

"Just a Regular Irregular", the [[List of Elementary episodes#Season 3 .282014.29|November 13, 2014, episode]] of the TV show ''[[Elementary (TV series)|Elementary]]'', featured a "math hunt", specifically mentioning its similarity to the Cicada 3301 puzzles multiple times.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shout Out: Elementary|url=http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/ShoutOut/Elementary|website=TV Tropes}}</ref>

''[[The Familiar, Volume 1: One Rainy Day in May]]'', the postmodernist novel by ''[[House of Leaves]]'' author [[Mark Z. Danielewski]] references Cicada 3301.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Danielewski|first1=Mark|title=The Familiar, Volume 1: One Rainy Day in May|date=May 12, 2015|publisher=Pantheon Books|isbn=978-0375714948|page=647|edition=1st}}</ref>

Artists [[Rick Steff]] and Roy Berry of the band [[Lucero (band)|Lucero]] included a Cicada 3301-inspired song on their side-project album ''Superfluidity''. The video, directed by Charlie Fasano, featured artwork taken from the ''Liber Primus'' book by Cicada 3301.<ref>{{cite web|last1=McCoy|first1=Chris|title=Music Video Monday: Rick & Roy|url=http://www.memphisflyer.com/FilmTVEtcBlog/archives/2015/05/26/music-video-monday-rick-and-roy|website=Memphis Flyer|publisher=Contemporary Media|accessdate=7 December 2015}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Internet}}
* [[11B-X-1371]]
* [[11B-X-1371]]
* ''[[Agrippa (A Book of the Dead)]]'', a poem used in the puzzle
* [[Cicada]]
* [[Brood XXII]]
* [[Cypherpunk]]
* [[Mass collaboration]]
* [[Mass collaboration]]
* [[Secret society]]
* [[Secret society]]
* [[The Mabinogion]], another poem used in the puzzle
* [[Webdriver Torso]]
* [[The Book of the Law]], a book used in the puzzle

==External Links==
* [https://twitter.com/1231507051321 The official Cicada 3301 twitter feed.]
* [http://cicada3301.org/ Cicada 3301 - Cicadianism]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


[[Category:Secret societies]]
[[Category:Open problems]]
[[Category:Multidisciplinary research institutes]]
[[Category:Research and development organizations]]
[[Category:Science and technology think tanks]]
[[Category:Foreign policy and strategy think tanks]]
[[Category:Internet memes]]
[[Category:Alternate reality games]]
[[Category:Alternate reality games]]
[[Category:2012 introductions]]
[[Category:Foreign policy and strategy think tanks]]
[[Category:Internet mysteries]]
[[Category:Multidisciplinary research institutes]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 2012]]
[[Category:Puzzle hunts]]
[[Category:Secret societies]]
[[Category:Works of unknown authorship]]

Latest revision as of 17:16, 5 January 2025

Cicada 3301 logo

Cicada 3301 is the name given to three sets of puzzles posted under the name "3301" online between 2012 and 2014. The first puzzle started on January 4, 2012,[1] on 4chan[2] and ran for nearly a month. A second round of puzzles began one year later on January 4, 2013, and then a third round following the confirmation of a fresh clue posted on Twitter on January 4, 2014.[3][4] The third puzzle remains unsolved. The stated intent was to recruit "intelligent individuals" by presenting a series of puzzles to be solved; no new puzzles were published on January 4, 2015. A new clue was posted on Twitter on January 5, 2016.[5][6] Cicada 3301 posted their last verified OpenPGP-signed message in April 2017, denying the validity of any unsigned puzzle.[7]

The puzzles focused heavily on data security, cryptography, steganography, and Internet anonymity.[8][9][10] It has been called "the most elaborate and mysterious puzzle of the Internet age",[11] and is listed as one of the "top 5 eeriest, unsolved mysteries of the Internet" by The Washington Post,[12] and much speculation exists as to its function. Many have speculated that the puzzles are a recruitment tool for the NSA, CIA,[13] MI6, a "Masonic conspiracy",[14] or a cyber mercenary group.[2][8] Others have stated Cicada 3301 is an alternate reality game, although no company or individual has attempted to monetize it.[11]

Purpose

[edit]

The stated purpose of the puzzles each year was to recruit "highly intelligent individuals", although the ultimate purpose remains unknown.[2] Theories have included claims that Cicada 3301 is a secret society with the goal of improving cryptography, privacy, and anonymity or that it is a cult or religion.[15][16][17] According to statements of several people who won the 2012 puzzle, 3301 typically uses non-puzzle-based recruiting methods, but created the Cicada puzzles because they were looking for potential members with cryptography and computer security skills.[15]

Resolution

[edit]

The first puzzle, of 2013, was solved by Marcus Wanner.[18] According to him, those who solved the puzzles were asked questions about their support of information freedom, online privacy and freedom, and rejection of censorship. Those who answered satisfactorily at this stage were invited to a private forum, where they were instructed to devise and complete a project intended to further the ideals of the group.[15] He did not finish his work on a method of general decryption and the website was removed.[citation needed]

Types of clues

[edit]
Locations of the physical paper signs from the 2012 puzzle

The Cicada 3301 clues spanned many different forms of communication media, including but not limited to the Internet, telephone, original music, bootable Linux CDs, digital images, physical paper signs, and pages of unpublished cryptic books written in runes. In total, there were two pieces of music, titled "The Instar Emergence" and "Interconnectedness", accompanying the Cicada clues. However, neither of them were part of a standard repertoire, and neither the composers nor performers have been identified. Cicada 3301 also wrote a book, titled Liber Primus (Latin for First Book), which contains many pages, only some of which have been decrypted. In addition to using many varying techniques to encrypt, encode, or hide data, these clues also referenced a wide variety of books, poetry, artwork, and music.[2] Each clue was signed by the same OpenPGP private key to confirm authenticity.[10][19]

Allegations against the group

[edit]

Allegations of illegal activity

[edit]

Authorities from the Los Andes Province of Chile claimed that Cicada 3301 is a "hacker group" and engaged in illegal activities. Cicada 3301 responded to this claim by issuing a PGP-signed statement denying any involvement in illegal activity.[20][21]

In July 2015, a group calling themselves "3301" hacked into Planned Parenthood's database;[22] however, the group appeared to have no association with Cicada 3301.[23] Cicada 3301 later issued a PGP-signed statement stating they "are not associated with this group in any way" and also stated that Cicada 3301 did not "condone their use of our name, number, or symbolism".[24] The hacker group later confirmed that they were not affiliated with Cicada 3301.[25]

QAnon

[edit]
Further information: QAnon

During the first months of QAnon's existence, there were rumors that Cicada 3301 had created QAnon.[26] One early QAnon promoter urged Cicada 3301 puzzlers to help decode Q's messages.[27]

[edit]

The United States Navy released a cryptographic challenge based on the Cicada 3301 recruitment puzzles in 2014 calling it Project Architeuthis.[28][29]

The plot of "Nautilus", a 2014 episode of Person of Interest, featured a large-scale game very similar to the Cicada 3301 puzzles. Both feature a series of worldwide cryptographic puzzles, but as the title implies, these feature the image of a nautilus shell instead of a cicada logo.[30] Person of Interest creator Jonathan Nolan and producer Greg Plageman stated in an interview that Cicada 3301 was the inspiration for the episode: "Episode 2, I'm particularly fascinated by the subject underneath it. Look up Cicada 3301 on the Internet. It's a very interesting concept out there that we then put into a larger story that connects to our show".[31]

The organization is the subject of the 2021 comedy-thriller film Dark Web: Cicada 3301.[32][33] Directed by Alan Ritchson, who co-wrote the script with Joshua Montcalm, it stars Jack Kesy, Conor Leslie, Ron Funches, Kris Holden-Ried, Andreas Apergis, and Ritchson. The film follows a hacker who participates in Cicada's recruitment game while evading the National Security Agency (NSA).[34][35]

In the video game Assassin's Creed Origins, a member of the Isu civilisation references Cicada when listing off various mysteries of history.[36]

The Cicada 3301 puzzles play a major role in the visual novel Anonymous;Code.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Michael Grothaus (25 November 2014). "Meet The Man Who Solved The Mysterious Cicada 214 Puzzle". Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "The internet mystery that has the world baffled over its difficulty". The Daily Telegraph. 25 November 2013. Archived from the original on 25 November 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  3. ^ Bell, Chris. "Cicada 3301 update: the baffling internet mystery is back". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on April 12, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  4. ^ Hern, Alex (January 10, 2014). "Cicada 3301: I tried the hardest puzzle on the internet and failed spectacularly". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016.
  5. ^ Puzzle Image, archived from the original on 2016-01-16, retrieved 2016-05-14
  6. ^ Cicada 3301 [@1231507051321] (January 6, 2016). "Cicada 3301's new puzzle (Dead Image)" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 7, 2016 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Threat Stack (19 April 2017). "Cicadas & Security, Part 2: When a Verified PGP Key Takes You on a Trip to the Desert". Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  8. ^ a b Lipinski, Jed. "Chasing the Cicada: Exploring the Darkest Corridors of the Internet". Mental_Floss. Archived from the original on 20 September 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  9. ^ Ernst, Douglas (November 26, 2013). "Secret society seeks world's brightest: Recruits navigate 'darknet' filled with terrorism, drugs". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  10. ^ a b Bell, Chris (7 January 2014). "Cicada 3301 update: the baffling internet mystery is back". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  11. ^ a b Scott, Sam (16 December 2013). "Cicada 3301: The most elaborate and mysterious puzzle of the internet age". Metro. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  12. ^ Dewey, Caitlin (21 May 2014). "Five of the Internet's eeriest, unsolved mysteries". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  13. ^ "Is mystery internet challenge a recruiting tool for the CIA?". Channel 4 News. 27 November 2013. Archived from the original on 28 August 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  14. ^ Vincent, James (7 January 2014). "Masonic conspiracy or MI6 recruitment tool? Internet mystery Cicada 3301 starts up again". The Independent. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  15. ^ a b c Kushner, David (29 January 2015). "Cicada: Solving the Web's Deepest Mystery". No. 1227. Rolling Stone. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  16. ^ Tucker, Daniel (30 December 2013). "Meet the Teenage Codebreaker Who Helped Solve the Cicada 3301 Internet Puzzle". NPR/WNYC New Tech City. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  17. ^ Dailey, Timothy (2015-07-07). The Paranormal Conspiracy: The Truth about Ghosts, Aliens and Mysterious Beings. Chosen Books. pp. 145–161. ISBN 978-0800797768.
  18. ^ "Cracking the Code of Cicada 3301". YouTube. Great Big Story. 14 August 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  19. ^ Mihai, Andrei (April 28, 2014). "Cicada 3301: A puzzle for the brightest minds, posted by an unknown, mysterious organization". ZME Science. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  20. ^ Andes Online. "PDI advierte sobre nueva modalidad de estafa por internet a través de google". Andes Online.
  21. ^ Pastebin. "PGP signed Cicada message".
  22. ^ Oh, Inae. "Anti-Abortion Hackers Claim to Have Stolen Data That Could Take Down Planned Parenthood". Mother Jones. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  23. ^ Turton, William (27 July 2015). "Anti-abortion hackers attack Planned Parenthood, release databases, employee data". Daily Dot. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  24. ^ Cicada 3301 [@1231507051321] (July 28, 2015). "Public Statement" (Tweet) – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  25. ^ Hacker Group [@33oh1] (July 28, 2015). "Public Statement" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  26. ^ Rothschild, Mike (May 29, 2018). "Who is Q Anon, the internet's most mysterious poster?". The Daily Dot. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  27. ^ Bloom, Mia; Moskalenko, Sophia (2021). "1". Pastels and Pedophiles: Inside the Mind of QAnon. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. p. 8. ISBN 9781503630611.
  28. ^ McEvoy, Maria (30 April 2014). "US Navy attempting to recruit cryptologists through Facebook game". Telegraph. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  29. ^ Stanely, T.L. (29 April 2014). "The U.S. Navy Wants You – To Solve This Puzzle". Mashable. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  30. ^ Planje, Alexa (1 October 2014). "Review: Person Of Interest: 'Nautilus'". A.V. Club. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  31. ^ Roffman, Marisa. "Person of Interest Season 4: Greg Plageman and Jonathan Nolan Tease a Cold War, the Loss of Sanctuary, and More". Give Me My Remote. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  32. ^ Hipes, Patrick (6 March 2018). "Phreaker Films Launches With Silicon Valley VC Cash; Alan Ritchson To Run It". Deadline. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  33. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (10 September 2020). "Grindstone Acquires Alan Ritchson's Comedy-Thriller 'Cicada 3301'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  34. ^ Adams, Tim (13 January 2021). "Dark Web: Cicada 3301 Red-Band Trailer Recruits Titans Stars". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  35. ^ Price, Jason (14 January 2021). "'Dark Web: Cicada 3301' – Cyber-Thriller Starring Alan Ritchson Hits Digital and On Demand March 12!". Icon Vs. Icon. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  36. ^ "Assassins Creed Origins First Civilisation Segment 5". YouTube. 27 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
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