Title: Cicada3301: URGENT

You’ve likely heard of Cicada 3301 The cryptic and enigmatic puzzle that has confounded the internet for years. A series of intricate challenges that range from cryptography, steganography, to obscure references from history, literature, and obscure corners of the web. But here’s the thing: there’s far more to Cicada 3301 than most people know, and I think it’s time to start sharing what some of us have discovered.

First, let me give a quick overview of the puzzle for those who might be new to it. It all started in 2012 when an image appeared on 4chan, featuring a simple yet cryptic message: "We are looking for highly intelligent individuals. To find them, we have devised a test." The challenge took many forms – from solving complex ciphers to scouring the world for hidden QR codes. But what makes Cicada 3301 particularly intriguing is its ongoing mystery. What exactly is the puzzle leading to? And, more importantly, what is the group behind it?

Some Details Only a Few Know Now, here’s where things get interesting. Most people know about the first few puzzles and how they involved solving ciphers and discovering hidden messages. But what many don’t realize is that the original puzzle wasn’t just a random series of tests. It was carefully designed to recruit individuals who were not only skilled in cryptography but also possessed an unusual set of skills and knowledge.

1. The Role of Ancient Texts You’ve probably seen the reference to The Kybalion or The Book of the Dead in the puzzles. But there’s more to this than just a thematic touch. Some of the earliest puzzle solvers were reported to have received personal messages that referenced specific sections of these ancient texts. Only those who truly understood the symbolism behind the references could progress. Some believe the puzzles were designed by a group of philosophers and occult scholars, or at least people who were heavily influenced by esoteric traditions.

2. The Real Identity of Cicada 3301 Here’s the kicker: there is strong evidence suggesting that Cicada 3301 may not be one organization. In fact, it could be an amalgamation of different groups working in tandem. Some researchers believe it was a recruiting tool for intelligence agencies, while others think it might be a secretive organization dedicated to preserving ancient knowledge. There are reports that suggest one of the original creators of the puzzles was actually a former NSA cryptographer with ties to military intelligence. A small group of people who solved some of the later stages of the puzzle received highly cryptic, personalized invites that referenced individuals they could not have known about through public means.

3. The Hidden Messages in the Art One detail that most people overlook is the artwork and design used in the Cicada puzzles. While the cryptographic elements are front and center, those who went deeper into the puzzle found hidden messages embedded in the aesthetics of the images, particularly the use of color and patterns. For instance, certain puzzles involved steganographic layers embedded in the designs of early images that, when decoded, pointed to additional puzzles hidden within other puzzles.

The New Puzzle: Still Active? In recent years, some of us believe that Cicada 3301 might not be entirely over. While it’s been dormant for a while, there have been scattered reports of new challenges appearing in odd places on the dark web. Some of these challenges appear in code repositories, others in files buried deep within internet forums known for their cryptographic and hacking content. And while these may be isolated occurrences, the fact that the pattern of the puzzles hasn’t stopped means that Cicada 3301 might still be active, recruiting silently in the background. Some insiders claim that the group is actively monitoring forums where cryptographers and hackers discuss the puzzles, and may be offering personal invitations to a select few.

Why Are People Silent About It? A large part of the reason why most of this is still a mystery is because many of those who got too close to the truth either disappeared or have kept their experiences to themselves. The most well-known puzzle solvers often vanish from public view once they’ve cracked the most difficult stages, leaving no trace. Some claim it’s due to the fear of the unknown or because they were simply told to walk away. Others, however, suspect that the puzzle’s creators may have had a reason to keep things under wraps.

Let’s Dig Deeper I’m posting this because I know there are people here who’ve gone further than the average Redditor and seen things that haven’t been widely discussed. If you’ve cracked parts of Cicada 3301, or if you’ve been involved in any part of the mystery—especially more recent developments—I’d love to hear your thoughts. The puzzle is complicated and layered, and I believe that together, we can start putting the pieces back together.

So, let’s get the conversation going. Have any of you found new clues recently? Or does anyone have insight into why the group remains so elusive? There’s still so much to learn!