In 2012, a series of complex puzzles appeared on the website known as 4Chan. Thousands took to the forums, trying to crack the codes and riddles written by an author known only as Cicada 3301. Some believed the puzzles were a recruitment tool for an unknown organization, others said they were part of a global cult. And while few have seen behind the curtain, even those who have solved the puzzles still aren’t sure who or what Cicada 3301 is – or what their ultimate goals are.
Episode Source Material
WEB/SOCIAL MEDIA/MESSAGE BOARDS
- Cicada: solving the web’s deepest mystery. (online article).
- What is Cicada 3301 mystery? (blog post).
- Coder, creator. (webpage).
- Cicada 3301: the coders still working on the internet’s strangest mystery. (webpage).
- Cicada 3301: I tried the hardest puzzle on the internet and failed spectacularly. (online article).
- Dark web: the true story of the Cicada 3301 mysteries. (online article).
- 2012 Cicada 3301 solutions part 3: What happens if you win? With guest Marcus Wanner. (YouTube video).
- What is 4Chan and why is it controversial? (webpage).
- 4Chan: /sci/ science and math. (online forum).
- 3301 Cicada Warning. (archived social media post) via scribd.
- Aleister Crowley. (online encyclopedia entry.)
- PDI warns of new mode of internet scam through Google. (online news article). Translated using Google translate.
- Solving Cicada 3301. (blog post).
- US Navy: recruiting cyber warriors via social. (Online PDF report).