The cache is NOT at the posted coordinates. Solve the following in order to find the corrected coordinates.
This is a Mystery Cache, placed as part of a series of cipher caches. These caches are done in an effort to teach me, and any others, various techniques of cipher encryption and how to solve them.
It is not meant to be difficult, as the name of the type of cipher technique is provided, with a brief description and example . It will easily show you how to solve the clue and find the necessary coordinates.
Vigenere Cipher Technique
In order to learn how to decrypt (solve) messages using this technique, it is first necessary to show how the Vigenere square is used to encrypt (code) a message. Although there are mathematical formulas that can be used to decode a message, for purposes of this cache this example will show the basics of using the Vigenere square that Blaise de Vigenère developed to encrypt and decrypt messages.
The Vigenere cipher is a basic Substitution Cipher . Each letter in the message is replaced by a letter some fixed number of positions down the alphabet. However, there is a different shift number for each letter based on a predetermined key. (Keyword)
If you look at the Vigenere Square (see attached in the photo gallery) , you can see that it consists of a row of the alphabet letters across the top and also down the side. The letters across the top are used when reading the letters from the plaintext message . In order to code a message, the encrypter uses a keyword . Each letter in the keyword is found down the left side of the square.. The corresponding letter from the intersection of the message letter from across the top, and the keyword letter from down the side is the new encrypted letter.
Remember:
Plaintext Message. - use the letters across the top in the Vigenere Square.
Keyword text - use the letters down the left side of the Vigenere Square .
Encrypted Letters - intersection of the column with its corresponding row
EXAMPLE:- Use the attached Vigenere Square.
Use the provided keyword and repeat the keyword letters in order as many times as needed to match the number of letters in the plaintext message.
Example :- Plain text message " Donald Duck " - message (10 letters total)
Keyword "Disney" - 6 letters - need to repeat the letters in Disney in order till they = 10 letters as well. Use the Vigenere Square to find what the corresponding intersection of the plaintext letter to the keyword letter is to determine what the encrypted letter will be.
Decrypting (Solving) an Encrypted Message using the Vigenere Square:-
In order to solve a encrypted message done in this technique the reverse is done using the Vigenere Square . If the keyword is known the message can quickly be deciphered.
Encrypted Message: RMXBTHG WTRNT FMLBU CKMBRN
For purposes of this cache determine the keyword from the HINT:-
(Repeat this keyword as many times as necessary till you have enough letters to match the letters in the encrypted message)
Using the letters in the ENCRYPTED MESSAGE as the intersected letters, and the letters in the KEYWORD. as the LEFT COLUMN letters. Find out the SOLUTION from the “TOP ROW” letters.
The coordinates necessary to find the cache are located at :- N53 31. A B C W113 38 .D E F
1st word in message = A
2nd word in message = B
3rd word in message = C
4th word in message = D
5th word in message = E
6th word in message = F
Gift card for the FTF. Good Luck and have fun!