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Cracking the Cicada 3301 internet mystery

Secret codes are very real in the world of cryptographers and cyber sleuths and some of them are anticipating a return of Cicada 3301, the complex internet puzzle that has appeared 2 years running in January, leading thousands through clues in cyberpunk. While some believe it's the CIA trying to recruit, others say it's an elaborate prank....
CBC Radio ·
Secret codes are very real in the world of cryptographers and cyber sleuths and some of them are anticipating a return of Cicada 3301, the complex internet puzzle that has appeared 2 years running in January, leading thousands through clues in cyberpunk. While some believe it's the CIA trying to recruit, others say it's an elaborate prank.


An enduring internet mystery that may serve as a recruitment for a spy agency, or may just be a way to find clever hackers ...


It sounds like something out of a Dan Brown or Steig Larsson novel: Mysterious Internet riddles posted under a black-and-white picture of an insect, challenging skilled computer whizzes.

The Cicada 3301 puzzle, as it's known, appeared two years ago. Since then, an underground community of code breakers followed a complex trail of clues involving Mayan numerology, poetry about King Arthur and GPS co-ordinates to cities from Warsaw to Sydney.


An invitation to participate in the Cicada 3301 Alternate Reality Game

Cicada_3001_insert.jpg

Despite ingenious breakthroughs, the full answer to Cicada 3301 remains a mystery, as do the motive and the identity of who or what is behind the scavenger hunt. Those involved in that challenge hope January brings a new installment of the puzzle to decode.


  • Joel Eriksson is a Swedish computer security researcher and the Founder and CEO of ClevCode. He has tried to crack the Cicada mystery and anxiously waits for what might come next. We reached Joel Eriksson in Uppsala, Sweden.

  • Elonka Dunin is well known in the world of cryptology. She is a video game developer as well as a cryptographer. She believes whoever or whatever is behind Cicada, it's probably not a spy agency fishing for talented code breakers. Elonka Dunin was in Boca Raton, Florida.

What are your thoughts on this puzzling internet mystery? Do you think it's a prank?

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This segment was produced by The Current's Idella Sturino and Sarah Grant.


  • Music played in our broadcast was Calm Down - APMmusic.com

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