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Cryptography 101: Playfair Cipher Mystery Cache

Hidden : 6/15/2015
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is NOT at the posted coordinates!


The Playfair cipher is a manual symmetric encryption technique and was the first literal digraph substitution cipher. The scheme was invented in 1854 by Charles Wheatston, but bears the name of Lord Playfair who promoted the use of the cipher.

Here's the encryption for this puzzle:

mcsufqbqddrycdasuwbwcdasselccmb
eorsclccmcbassubqddcmclfpcrxepflc


For simplification, go here to aid you in solving this Playfair cipher. You'll need to construct a 5X5 key square. The square will be a standard square in alphabetical order, except that you'll need to use a key. The key will be "geocache." Since the key square only has 25 letters, substitute J with I. Also, do not split the double letters.


You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)