Puzzling Basics - Ciphers Mystery Cache
Puzzling Basics - Ciphers
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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Puzzling Basics Series
Lesson Number 2- Ciphers
Does it drive you absolutely bonkers when some bonehead (ahem) publishes a cache that has data that looks like something a drunken Martian might say? Me too! Well, you’re in luck, cacher! Lesson 2 will give you some practice on how to solve a simple cipher- or even a complex cipher for that matter.
Here is some of that mumbo jumbo I mentioned:
to pqo ddwei prhup vhpq tdicuqk toehsp hyicu pusi cpbut epu uth uv huc tweu czmfgx iyvvt eyrfth ufm wztteyf yoz uiqmrne ytr
First you’re going to need to find a solid cipher solving website. I like to use Rumkin (http://rumkin.com/tools/cipher/) but it is not as complete as others, I’m told.
Next you need to copy the goobly gook text above.
Find a cipher solver for a cipher called “bifid” and paste the text in the box marked “Your Message” or “Message to be decrypted.”
Probably you’ll need to check a box to let the site know you’re decrypting.
You’ll need a keyword too- Sometimes this is referred to as an alphabet key. In this case it is “cipher” so enter that.
Leave the part alone that asks about “Translate the letter J to I” (even though there once was a somewhat famous, double or triple encrypted puzzle that used O to Q but that’s a different story altogether- just leave it alone).
What you’re left with is the decoded text and you’re well on your way to puzzle stardom! Usually the keyword will be hidden somewhere: white text, or in the source code or even in the name of the puzzle or cache, as in this case.
Stay tuned for more basic puzzle knowledge. You’ll have to settle for basic until I learn some higher skills!
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)