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FBI Issues Code Cracking Challenge

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the test-your-skillz dept.

coondoggie writes to tell us that the FBI has issued another cracking challenge for a new cipher on their site. Tens of thousands responded to a similar challenge last year. In addition to the challenge, the FBI is also offering a few primers on the subject. There are a number of sites offering cipher challenges, but it's funny to see the FBI encouraging such behavior.

8 of 222 comments (clear)

  1. Link to the 2008 challenge by root777 · · Score: 5, Informative

    The links in the article point to FBI challenges in 2007 and the kids challenge but do not point to the 2008 challenge.

    Here is the FBI Cryptanalysis challenge 2008 http://www.fbi.gov/page2/dec08/code_122908.html

    Other helpful links for reference
    2007 challenge: http://www.fbi.gov/page2/nov07/code112107.html
    Kids challenge: http://www.fbi.gov/kids/k5th/jobs9.htm

    1. Re:Link to the 2008 challenge by Chris+Daniel · · Score: 4, Informative

      Also, here's the code (transcribed a damn Flash file; wtf you guys):

      VFWTDLCSWV. YD NSLMIJFWEJFD GSW SL NIJNQBLM FOBV EJFDVF DLNIGTFBSL. KBVBF YYY.AHB.MSK/NSCDC.OFZ FS EDF WV QLSY SA GSWI VWNNDVV.

      Lameness filter ... it was presented in caps on the original, so it is presented as such here!

      --
      Don't blame me -- I voted for Roslin.
    2. Re:Link to the 2008 challenge by enFi · · Score: 5, Informative

      Presuming that the text is all the information we need - maybe the got creative and did steganography, or a message hidden in the flash source.

      I agree with the characters; if newlines are relevant:

      VFWTDLCSWV. YD
      NSLMIJFWEJFD GSW SL
      NIJNQBLM FOBV EJFDVF
      DLNIGTFBSL. KBVBF
      YYY.AHB.MSK/NSCDC.OFZ
      FS EDF WV QLSY SA
      GSWI VWNNDVV.

    3. Re:Link to the 2008 challenge by laddiebuck · · Score: 3, Informative

      It remains fairly trivial after your substitutions. vivit -> visit, then the last line but one is "to let us know of". After those chars, the whole thing falls into place. The final translation table is tr '[abcdefghijklmnoqstvwyz]' '[fideltybravngchkopsuwm]'. You're supposed to visit this trite URL, which congratulates you. Maybe they really did mix it up with the kids' challenge.

    4. Re:Link to the 2008 challenge by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 3, Informative

      Also, here's the code (transcribed a damn Flash file; wtf you guys):

      VFWTDLCSWV. YD NSLMIJFWEJFD GSW SL
      NIJNQBLM FOBV EJFDVF DLNIGTFBSL. KBVBF
      YYY.AHB.MSK/NSCDC.OFZ FS EDF WV QLSY SA
      GSWI VWNNDVV.

      Lameness filter ... it was presented in caps on the original, so it is presented as such here!

      Easy - "Be sure to drink your Ovaltine!"

      --
      #DeleteChrome
  2. Re:link to challenge by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Wow. Cryptograms in the newspaper are harder than that.

    stupendous. we
    congratulate you on
    cracking this latest
    encryption. visit
    www.fbi.gov/coded.htm
    to let us know of
    your success.

  3. Cryptogram tool by Jade+E.+2 · · Score: 2, Informative

    There are automated ones out there that solve this in under a second, but if you want to figure it out yourself try this page:

    http://www.esg.montana.edu/meg/consbio/cryptogram/crypto.html

    Here's the puzzle text to copy:

    VFWTDLCSWV. YD NSLMIJFWEJFD GSW SL NIJNQBLM FOBV EJFDVF DLNIGTFBSL.
    KBVBF YYY.AHB.MSK/NSCDC.OFZ FS EDF WV QLSY SA GSWI VWNNDVV.

  4. Answer by ottffs · · Score: 2, Informative

    I've solved it and posted the answer for y'all. Check it out here: http://c0nn0r.info/blog/2008/12/29/i-pwned-the-fbi-cyphertext-challenge-in-about-45-minutes-using-a-pen-and-paper/