Decrypting!

So most of you wanted the solution released. Those of you who don't, avert your eyes. Here it is:

I wanted to use an encryption method that was both elegant and decodable on paper, but not as simple as switching X for E etc.

After a bit of research, I chose to use a part of the VIC cipher as my encryption technique. The part I chose was called a straddling checkerboard. The VIC cipher was used by a soviet spy by the code name VICTOR and is considered the most complex cipher that doesn't require a computer to use. It completely stumped the NSA for the 4 years of its use in the field.

While the VIC cipher may have been nearly unbreakable, the straddling checkerboard I used was not. I could have added a few more layers to the encryption with a non-carrying addition or some extra transposition, but then you might have thought it unfair.

Anyways, here is how it would be decoded. All on paper, just to prove how you could do it: (click on the images to expand them)

Page 1 & 2

Page 3 & 4

Page 5 & Appendix

Sorry about the quality folks, but I do not own a scanner... The contrast has been pumped up so I hope that helps.

In case you didn't see it, the decoded message reads:

CARRY THE TORWCH HIGH DONT GO QUIETLY RW

Thanks, and I hope you enjoyed the puzzle.

Well Damn...

So the contest is over...

No one got the puzzle...

Even though my thirty bucks remains intact, I am still a little disappointed guys... You had a month...

I now have a dilemma. Should I release the answer to the puzzle or give you some more time??? (the prize is null in either case though)

For this reason, I will give you guys 24 hours to vote. Comment on the post on instantmartians, or the automatic repost on Facebook with your opinion. Hopefully we can get more than one or two votes...

This was Torwch, reminding you to straddle your checkerboards.

The Third

I don't know for sure if anyone has given me an answer for The Second, but the minutes are ticking away, so we must procede.

Rules:

1) Give me the proper 2 digit code for each item.

2) Don't cheat.

3) No rule #3.
4) I'm reasonably flexible on this one.

=SUM(L3:E7)

Here are all the hints so far, including the "hidden" ones. That thirty bucks is burning a hole in my pocket and I'm getting unsure about your chances. Time is running out. You all have only 9 (thats 3 squared) days left. Then cryptology month is over. Just in time for something. Hmm...

21366 87125 01468 52125 25724

25222 45124 48283 70129 87665

Hints Thus Far:

1. The code has 50 characters in it. The spaces mean nothing.
2. Spaces and punctuation were not encoded.
3. Letter frequency will not help you, for the coding nullifies it. The number frequency is off though... Look into that.
4. It can be decoded on paper, and it was encoded on paper. (Microsoft Excel could help you organize your guesses though)
5. The cleartext (uncoded text) contained 33 characters (not including spaces, which were not encoded).
6. Capitalization plays no part in the cypher.

New Hints:

1. The start date was carefully chosen so that regular coverage could resume before an important event. Yes this is a clue.
2. The cleartext (decoded text) contains my pen-name: "Torwch".
3. While my encryption technique is unique, it is closely based on part of a cypher used by a soviet spy. A spy named... No, I've said too much.

Good luck.

The ENIGMA

The Second World War saw the beginning of cryptology. Everything up to then had been merely a simple rearrangement or alphabet substtitutions. With the rise of rahdio communications (and the means to intercept them), a reliiable coding mechanism was greatly needed. The scientific giant that was the Third Reich was quick to deliver with the ENIGMA machine.

It is as epic as it sounds, especially to any one intrerested in cryptography.

The Enigma, first pattented by the German engineer Arthur Scherbius in 1918, decided the structure of all military encoding machyines for the duration of the war; for both sides.

The first design used by the German military used 4 rotors. This was later expanded to 8-rotor designs and even the massive 12-wheel Lorenz Machine [link]. The way the Enigma worked was

simple: When an operator pressed a key corresponding with a letter of the cleartext, an electric signal would be sent through one of 26 contacts around the end of the first of the rotors. As you can see in the diagram, the signal would travel through the rottors, which switched its path simply by having the wires from one contact lead to a different letter's contact on the other side. In the last rotor, the signal was "reflected" back through the rotors, taking a different route and effectively doubling the Enigma code's complehxity. The electric signal then emerged through a different contact. This lit up the encoded letter on a display above the keyboard.

To prevent it from becoming a simple substitution cypher (A=Y, B=M), after each key-press, the rightmost rotor would advance one notch, after a certain number of its advances, the second-from-the-right rotor would advance. Likewise with the third and forth rotors. Thus the encoding method changed for each letter (B=anything). Before each message, the dials were set to a position know to both the sendrer and receiever. Often, this position was included in the message.

Therein lay its weeakness. The position was encoded "with itself" at the beginning of the message twice to avoid transmission errors (example: if the position is ECYS, the operator will type ECYSECYS into the machine; giving perhaps OWCSDPRA. This leaves the fatal error in that the first character is directly related to the fifth, and so on.) This mistake gave the Polish Cypher Agency the leverage to begin deciphering the Enigma Code.

21366 87125 01468 52125 25724

25222 45124 48283 70129 87685

Puzzle Hints:

• Looking at letter frequency will not help you, but number frequency may... Now why would this be?
• I NEVER make spelling mistakes. I also never lie about the number of letters (without spaces) in the cleartext. EVER.

The Second

Congrats to those of you who solved the first puzzle, it was a tricky one. (Or to those who didn't, get up of yer butts and get to work.) Anyhoo, the next puzzle is right here. Find the 8 digit code.

Email us your answers at instantmartians@gmail.com. Bonne chance.

Claymore's Puzzle

I was thinking about how pitifullt inept I was at trying to solve Torwch's puzzle, so I've decided to make a completely unrelated puzzle to solve. This will also be a large, continuous thing, so tune in often. These puzzles require less math, and more logic, historical knowledge, and a can-do attitude.

This first puzzle is simple enough. Pick 4 out of eight images that follow the "criteria". What is the criteria exactly? No one knows, but the name is irrelevant.

When you think you have found the 4, designate each as a number. The first image in the series is 1, the second image is 2, etc. Email us at instantmartians@gmail.com when you think you have the right combination. I will email you the next part. I'd like to thank Ubisoft and Assassins Creed II for this idea. T'wasn't mine.

Instantmartians Contest: Decode this and get $30

If you can decode the following code correctly, you will receive $30 canadian. If I know you (or if you live in the Greater-Vancouver area) you will get the reward from me in person. If not, I'll mail it to you. Good luck!

21366 87125 01468 52125 25724

25222 45124 48283 70129 87685

The Rules:

1. "Alternate" methods of decoding are accepted, these may include espionage, really lucky guessing, and hacking my computer. All I care about is if you have the answer, not how you got it.
2. The code must be completely decoded for it to count. A half-decoded submission may give it away to others, so beware!
3. Everyone who I live with (my family) cannot enter the contest, as finding the clear-text wouldn't be that hard. Likewise, I'd prefer if you didn't bribe or extort them to get it.
4. All guesses must be entered before the end of Cryptology Month here at InstantMartians. More precisely: before 24:00 GMT Friday February 5 2010.
5. You can email guesses to instantmartians@gmail.com or comment on this post. Be warned though that others can see your comments/guesses!
6. Please include in your comment or email an identity, be it real or a pen name. A real address will be needed if you win the reward.
7. You allowed as many guesses as you want, but please don't spam.
8. Hints will be released in upcoming posts, so pay attention!

Hints:

• The cypher-text (code) has 50 characters (ignore the spaces, they mean nothing).
• Spaces and punctuation were not encoded.

Celebrating 1 Year of InstantMartians

Well folks, its almost here. Nearly a full year ago, instantmartians had its first post. Since those humble beginnings, it grew to include another author, gained half a dozen followers and many more anonymous fans. Thanks guys.

In honor of this monumental event, I hereby launch Cryptology Month. Over the next 4 weeks, my colleague and I will be going into detail about everything cryptology.

For those who don't know, cryptology is the study of codes. We will delve into the history, politics, and teChnology behind codes. From the most cutting-edge quantum encoding to the simpLest substitution cypher, we will go thEre.

To really drAw your inteRest, I have also sTarted a "little" contest. To win, you will nEed to decode a 50 character codeteXt encoded by yours truly. Details about the code (as well as the code iTselF), rules, and details about upcoming hints will be posTed soon (tomorroW).

Oh, and did I mention that the first successful decoder will receive $30 (canadian)? Its not much, but should provide some incentive.

As I said before, more details will be posted soon (tomorrow).

Grief

This time of year is easily associated with the brighter side of life. With merry-making and well-wishing. During the holidays we catch up with old friends and generally cavort around in good cheer.

The passing of the clock's hand into a new year - or like yesterday, a new decade - can bring about other feelings in some. For these few, the passing of a new year can revive memories of missed friends. Of friends that we may forever miss.

Grief is not bad.

It is the most human of all emotions. It has no deeper survival meaning. To a simple animal, it would not post any benefit, and because of this it is the most civilizing aspect of our species.

We grieve to remember.

The lost friends, family, pets. We grieve, and in our grief we share within ourselves all the times and feelings we shared with that person. It is natural, it is beautiful.

We never grieve alone.

Find a shoulder, there will always be a shoulder. Lend a shoulder, 'cause you might be looking some day.

Again, this was not written because I am grieving (I'm not). Instead, it is written for anyone needing simple reassurance, a pat on the back, a nod, a hug. We grieve to remember and we grieve together. Don't forget that.

In the recent words of my eloquent colleague: Chin up.

You can bet the bottomest of your dollars that tomorrow will be a brighter day.