The mysterious internet puzzle ‘Cicada 3301’ which requires superior computer skills to crack it, has reopened online, for the third year.
The mysterious cryptography competition baffles participants with a chain of puzzles and codes spread across the internet and various locations across the world.
According to some reports, the new internet puzzle competition is to select people for spy agencies like the British Intelligence Agency MI6 or the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), to fight out bright young hackers, while some believe that it is floated by a bank.
The latest competition was revealed via Twitter with the following message: "Hello. Epiphany is upon you. Your pilgrimage has begun. Enlightenment awaits. Good luck. 3301."
Until now, two ’rounds’ have been played in 2012 and 2013, while thousands of fans have been drawn into the competition and have eagerly awaited the re-launch of the online event.
However, this year’s iteration appears to be very difficult, which calls for understanding OutGuess, which is a complex steganography tool hiding within images.
In 2013, the treasure trail involved individuals travelling to physical locations to interpret QR codes that were placed on telegraph poles scattered around the US.
