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1 | author: yano | |
2 | date: 2014-04-26 18:05:01+00:00 | |
3 | slug: april-1st-2014-followup | |
4 | title: April 1st 2014, Followup | |
5 | category: April 1st | |
6 | category: freenode | |
7 | imported: yes | |
8 | --- | |
9 | It's been almost too long for this blog post to arrive here after the April Fools quiz this year. Thanks to everyone who participated! | |
10 | ||
11 | ||
12 | ||
13 | The first ten people who completed the challenges are, in descending order of aprilness: | |
14 | ||
15 | (times are listed in UTC) | |
16 | ||
17 | ||
18 | ||
19 | ||
20 | ||
21 | ||
22 | ||
23 | ||
24 | 1. 2014-04-02T18:25:17 booto | |
25 | ||
26 | 2014-04-02T23:36:53 Fuchs * | |
27 | ||
28 | 2. 2014-04-03T00:29:29 furry | |
29 | ||
30 | ||
31 | 3. 2014-04-03T01:34:18 mniip | |
32 | ||
33 | ||
34 | 4. 2014-04-03T09:41:38 jojo | |
35 | ||
36 | ||
37 | 5. 2014-04-03T16:29:51 redi | |
38 | ||
39 | ||
40 | 6. 2014-04-03T18:57:21 BlueShark | |
41 | ||
42 | ||
43 | 7. 2014-04-04T15:33:24 larinadavid | |
44 | ||
45 | ||
46 | 8. 2014-04-04T22:27:20 Omniflux | |
47 | ||
48 | ||
49 | 9. 2014-04-04T23:02:19 apoc | |
50 | ||
51 | ||
52 | 10. 2014-04-04T23:13:02 thommey | |
53 | ||
54 | ||
55 | ||
56 | ||
57 | _(*) user opted out of any prizes_ | |
58 | ||
59 | There were 25 additional nicks who completed the quiz and made it to the winner's circle but weren't fast enough to place in the top 10. | |
60 | ||
61 | ||
62 | ||
63 | The prizes were cloaks for those in the top-10. In addition to the top-10 cloaks everyone else who finished the challenge that 'opted-in' were eligible for the _cloak lottery_. This was a lottery for 3 runnerup cloaks. | |
64 | ||
65 | ||
66 | ||
67 | Out of the 25 additional people that completed the challenge, the following 3 won a cloak through the cloak lottery: | |
68 | ||
69 | ||
70 | ||
71 | ||
72 | * skasturi | |
73 | ||
74 | ||
75 | * danielg4 | |
76 | ||
77 | ||
78 | * jojoa1997 | |
79 | ||
80 | ||
81 | ||
82 | ||
83 | ||
84 | ||
85 | Here are the riddles and their solutions, in the original order: | |
86 | ||
87 | ||
88 | ||
89 | ||
90 | ||
91 | ||
92 | ||
93 | * Level 0 | |
94 | ||
95 | ||
96 | * The clue was given in the [April 1st blog post](http://blog.freenode.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/freenode41.png): _IyMjI3hrY2Q=_ | |
97 | ||
98 | ||
99 | * That is the string `"####xkcd"` encoded using [base64](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base64). | |
100 | ||
101 | * The answer: **####xkcd**, which was the first channel in the quiz. | |
102 | ||
103 | ||
104 | ||
105 | ||
106 | ||
107 | ||
108 | * Level 1 | |
109 | ||
110 | ||
111 | * Clue: _Tnl2cHItbmFxLU9iby1qbnl4LXZhZ2Itbi1vbmU=_ | |
112 | ||
113 | ||
114 | * This is a [rot13](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROT13)'ed and base64'ed string. | |
115 | ||
116 | ||
117 | * In [Python](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Python_%28programming_language%29): `"Tnl2cHItbmFxLU9iby1qbnl4LXZhZ2Itbi1vbmU=".decode('base64').decode('rot13')` | |
118 | ||
119 | ||
120 | * The answer: **####Alice-and-Bob-walk-into-a-bar** | |
121 | ||
122 | ||
123 | ||
124 | ||
125 | ||
126 | ||
127 | * Level 2 | |
128 | ||
129 | ||
130 | * Clue: _MKWkpKMa_ | |
131 | ||
132 | ||
133 | * This is another string that is encoded with a series of base64 and rot13 transformations. | |
134 | ||
135 | ||
136 | * In Python: `"MKWkpKMa".decode('rot13').decode('base64').decode('rot13')` | |
137 | ||
138 | ||
139 | * The answer: **####reddit** | |
140 | ||
141 | ||
142 | ||
143 | ||
144 | ||
145 | ||
146 | * Level 3 | |
147 | ||
148 | ||
149 | * Clue: _SHg5RkR4SUpIeHFGSnlXVUlJSVFJeHFKCg== | Save this for a later level: [https://i.imgur.com/87cX9y4.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/87cX9y4.jpg) | 4 decodes needed_ | |
150 | ||
151 | ||
152 | * Yet another string encoded with a series of base64 and rot13 transformations. | |
153 | ||
154 | ||
155 | * In Python: `"SHg5RkR4SUpIeHFGSnlXVUlJSVFJeHFKCg==".decode('base64').decode('rot13').decode('base64').decode('rot13')` | |
156 | ||
157 | ||
158 | * This yields: EBEORIETEMETHHPITI | |
159 | ||
160 | ||
161 | * Contestants were expected to do a web search for this and find out it is the end of the [Zodiac Killer's infamous message](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Zodiac_cipher.png). | |
162 | ||
163 | ||
164 | * The answer: **####zodiac** | |
165 | ||
166 | ||
167 | ||
168 | ||
169 | ||
170 | ||
171 | * Level 4 | |
172 | ||
173 | ||
174 | * Clue: _[https://i.imgur.com/x4nejBh.png](https://i.imgur.com/x4nejBh.png) | LaTeX right direction | [Google!](https://lmsptfy.com/?q=alternatives%20to%20Google%20searching) | No maths needed_ | |
175 | ||
176 | ||
177 | * The topic changed several times as contestants seemed pretty stumped on this level, the topic line above was its final form. | |
178 | ||
179 | ||
180 | * The answer: **####exner** - this was expected from figuring out what the equation is. Simply put, the equation in the image is [Exner's Equation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PaolaExnerEqnRock.jpg). | |
181 | ||
182 | ||
183 | ||
184 | ||
185 | ||
186 | ||
187 | * Level 5 | |
188 | ||
189 | ||
190 | * Clue: _[https://i.imgur.com/SandvWX.gif](https://i.imgur.com/SandvWX.gif) | Save this for a later level: [https://i.imgur.com/QpTubts.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/QpTubts.jpg)_ | |
191 | ||
192 | ||
193 | * This level was pretty tricky. This is an image that has more to it than meets the eye. | |
194 | ||
195 | ||
196 | * Steps for recovering useful information: | |
197 | ||
198 | ||
199 | * Un[zip](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zip_%28file_format%29) the [.gif](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphics_Interchange_Format) | |
200 | ||
201 | ||
202 | * Open the secret.txt file. | |
203 | ||
204 | ||
205 | ||
206 | ||
207 | ||
208 | * Inside secret.txt is: ####Kolmogorov | |
209 | ||
210 | ||
211 | * The answer: **####Kolmogorov** | |
212 | ||
213 | ||
214 | ||
215 | ||
216 | ||
217 | ||
218 | * Level 6 | |
219 | ||
220 | ||
221 | * Clue: _[https://www.dropbox.com/s/emz7xy3p9r2ivxe/wat.unknown](https://www.dropbox.com/s/emz7xy3p9r2ivxe/wat.unknown) (verify the file, sha256sum: 0efade1bb29d1b7fdd65e5612159e262cbd41a2e27ed89a0144701a5556da68f)_ | |
222 | ||
223 | ||
224 | * This file is more stenography: | |
225 | ||
226 | ||
227 | * Use '[file](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_%28command%29)' to determine what the file type is. | |
228 | ||
229 | ||
230 | * Un-[7zip](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7-Zip) the .unknown file | |
231 | ||
232 | ||
233 | * Base64 decode the output | |
234 | ||
235 | ||
236 | * Use 'file' to determine that the output is a [.jpg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JPEG) | |
237 | ||
238 | ||
239 | * Unzip the .jpg | |
240 | ||
241 | ||
242 | * Un[tar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tar_%28computing%29) two.tar.[gz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gzip) | |
243 | ||
244 | ||
245 | * Open the surprised.txt file. | |
246 | ||
247 | ||
248 | ||
249 | ||
250 | ||
251 | * The content of surprised.txt is: ####ImSoMetaEvenThisAcronym | |
252 | ||
253 | ||
254 | * The answer: **####ImSoMetaEvenThisAcronym** | |
255 | ||
256 | ||
257 | ||
258 | ||
259 | ||
260 | ||
261 | * Level 7 | |
262 | ||
263 | ||
264 | * Clue: _AQwPfPN1ZBXNfvNj4bPmVR4fVQYPfPNlZBXNfvNkAP4jZhXNflOS and "Da Vinci" | Jules Verne | s/.02/.03/ in the decrypted text | |
265 | _ | |
266 | ||
267 | * The clue is base64'ed and rot13'ed. To decode it in Python: `print "AQwPfPN1ZBXNfvNj4bPmVR4fVQYPfPNlZBXNfvNkAP4jZhXNflOS".decode('rot13').decode('base64')` | |
268 | ||
269 | ||
270 | * This yields: 48° 50′ 0″ N, 2° 20′ 14.02″ E | |
271 | ||
272 | ||
273 | * These are GPS coordinates for the [Paris meridian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Meridian). | |
274 | ||
275 | ||
276 | * From this and the "Da Vinci" clue contestants were expected to find the [Wikipedia](https://www.wikipedia.org/) page about the [Rose Line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Line). | |
277 | ||
278 | ||
279 | * The specific quote that contestants were suppose to find: | |
280 | ||
281 | "Dan Brown simply invented the 'Rose Line' linking Rosslyn and Glastonbury. The name 'Roslin' definitely does not derive from any 'hallowed Rose Line'. It has nothing to do with a 'Rose Bloodline' or a 'Rose Line meridian'. There are many medieval spellings of 'Rosslyn'. 'Roslin' is certainly not the 'original spelling': it is now the most common spelling for the village."[18] | |
282 | ||
283 | - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Line#Dan_Brown.27s_The_Da_Vinci_Code) | |
284 | ||
285 | ||
286 | * The "Jules Verne" clue is suppose to reaffirm to contestants that they were on the right track: | |
287 | ||
288 | The competition between the Paris and Greenwich meridians is a plot element in Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea", published just before the international decision in favor of the British one. | |
289 | ||
290 | - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Meridian#Origin) | |
291 | ||
292 | ||
293 | * The answer: **####roslin** | |
294 | ||
295 | ||
296 | ||
297 | ||
298 | ||
299 | ||
300 | * Level 8 | |
301 | ||
302 | ||
303 | * Original topic: Clue: _ZANKNMEPAXULMJCAGLKHKTOLUPSRDD | [https://i.imgur.com/6ayrOMq.png](https://i.imgur.com/6ayrOMq.png)_ | |
304 | ||
305 | ||
306 | * New topic: _UIVXUJZIULMJCAGLKHKTOLUPSRDD | [https://i.imgur.com/6ayrOMq.png](https://i.imgur.com/6ayrOMq.png)_ | |
307 | ||
308 | ||
309 | * The string in both topics is encoded with a [Four-square cipher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-square_cipher). | |
310 | ||
311 | ||
312 | * Here are two scripts that were built for Four-square: | |
313 | ||
314 | ||
315 | * encrypt, [http://git.io/Y6JIww](http://git.io/Y6JIww) | |
316 | ||
317 | ||
318 | * decrypt, [http://git.io/CQuh8g](http://git.io/CQuh8g) | |
319 | ||
320 | ||
321 | ||
322 | ||
323 | ||
324 | * Using "IRC" and "xkcd" - the keys saved earlier, the text decrypts to: POVAROVOSOLNECHNOGORSKRUSSIA | |
325 | ||
326 | ||
327 | * Originally it was: ZELENOGRADSOLNECHNOGORSKRUSSIA | |
328 | ||
329 | ||
330 | * The answer: **####POVAROVOSOLNECHNOGORSKRUSSIA** | |
331 | ||
332 | ||
333 | ||
334 | ||
335 | ||
336 | ||
337 | * Level 9 | |
338 | ||
339 | ||
340 | * Clue: _ZCLVLLCOIUTKKJSCEKHHHSMKTOOPBA | OGUCSSGAPVGVLUMBTVOGICUNJDHSTB | RUTJJGNXUNTY | Letters that would repeat in a typical word do not repeat in the key(s), example 'freenode' would be 'frenod' | [https://i.imgur.com/pGIBjEE.png](https://i.imgur.com/pGIBjEE.png) | [http://is.gd/TgNsvm](http://is.gd/TgNsvm)_ | |
341 | ||
342 | ||
343 | * Alright this one is really really really tricky. The topic changed _several_ times. | |
344 | ||
345 | ||
346 | * The three strings are encoded with [Four-square](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-square_cipher) from the previous level with the same keys. | |
347 | ||
348 | ||
349 | * Contestants were expected to use 'UVB' and 'RUSSIA' as keys for the Four-square cipher. | |
350 | ||
351 | ||
352 | * It was expected that contestants arrive at 'UVB' from the channel name, ####POVAROVOSOLNECHNOGORSKRUSSIA | |
353 | ||
354 | ||
355 | * The former transmitter[27] was located near Povarovo, Russia[28] at 56°5′0″N 37°6′37″E which is about halfway between Zelenograd and Solnechnogorsk and 40 kilometres (25 mi) northwest of Moscow, near the village of Lozhki. | |
356 | ||
357 | - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UVB-76#Location_and_function) | |
358 | ||
359 | ||
360 | * The is.gd link points to a file that has the "No Q" image from a previous level hidden in it. | |
361 | ||
362 | ||
363 | * The "RUTJJGNXUNTY" decrypts to [AaronHSwartz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Swartz) | |
364 | ||
365 | ||
366 | * The answer: **####AaronHSwartz** | |
367 | ||
368 | ||
369 | ||
370 | ||
371 | ||
372 | ||
373 | * Level 10 | |
374 | ||
375 | ||
376 | * Clue: _HKGJSUOJVRLGSBELAUHOUIGLVRURWMGTUGJGWTKN_ | |
377 | ||
378 | ||
379 | * Originally this channel (####AaronHSwartz) was suppose to be the winner's circle, however due to too many people leaking answers and channel names, one more challenge was added. | |
380 | ||
381 | ||
382 | * Same cipher as before, this time the keys were 'DEMAND' and 'PROGRESS' | |
383 | ||
384 | ||
385 | * [_Demand Progress_](http://www.demandprogress.org/) is an Internet activist-related organization specializing in petitions to help gain traction for legal movements against Internet censorship and related subjects, started by Aaron Swartz, [source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demand_Progress). | |
386 | ||
387 | ||
388 | * The clue decrypts to JOINUSNOWANDSHARETHESOFTWAREWRITTENBYRMS | |
389 | ||
390 | ||
391 | * RMS is [Richard Matthew Stallman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Stallman), and [_'Join Us Now and Share the Software'_](https://www.gnu.org/music/free-software-song.html) is an openly licensed song by Richard Stallman. | |
392 | ||
393 | ||
394 | * The answer: **####JOINUSNOWANDSHARETHESOFTWAREWRITTENBYRMS** | |
395 | ||
396 | ||
397 | ||
398 | ||
399 | ||
400 | ||
401 | ||
402 | ||
403 | ||
404 | The topic in ####JOINUSNOWANDSHARETHESOFTWAREWRITTENBYRMS was: _Congratulations on solving the freenode's April Fools 2014 Crypto Challenge | Want MOAR? #ircpuzzles_ | |
405 | ||
406 | ||
407 | Congratulations to those who participated this year! | |
408 | ||
409 | ||
410 | ||
411 | ||
412 | ||
413 | The 25 additional people that completed the challenge: | |
414 | ||
415 | ||
416 | ||
417 | ||
418 | ||
419 | ||
420 | * 2014-04-05T04:06:53 knivey | |
421 | ||
422 | ||
423 | * 2014-04-05T10:00:12 Tordek | |
424 | ||
425 | ||
426 | * 2014-04-05T15:40:50 jacob1 * | |
427 | ||
428 | ||
429 | * 2014-04-05T15:48:48 stac | |
430 | ||
431 | ||
432 | * 2014-04-05T16:24:01 Changaco * | |
433 | ||
434 | ||
435 | * 2014-04-05T17:30:01 Arch-TK * | |
436 | ||
437 | ||
438 | * 2014-04-05T17:35:05 ar * | |
439 | ||
440 | ||
441 | * 2014-04-05T18:16:20 Weetos * | |
442 | ||
443 | ||
444 | * 2014-04-05T18:38:39 nyuszika7h | |
445 | ||
446 | ||
447 | * 2014-04-05T18:56:26 vi[NLR] | |
448 | ||
449 | ||
450 | * 2014-04-05T19:06:38 tkd * | |
451 | ||
452 | ||
453 | * 2014-04-05T21:54:56 Chiyo | |
454 | ||
455 | ||
456 | * 2014-04-05T22:46:01 slidercrank | |
457 | ||
458 | ||
459 | * 2014-04-05T22:54:10 jojoa1997 | |
460 | ||
461 | ||
462 | * 2014-04-06T00:55:51 Pixelz * | |
463 | ||
464 | ||
465 | * 2014-04-06T02:53:25 Transfusion | |
466 | ||
467 | ||
468 | * 2014-04-06T02:58:15 DonkeyHotei | |
469 | ||
470 | ||
471 | * 2014-04-06T03:04:01 sdamashek * | |
472 | ||
473 | ||
474 | * 2014-04-06T03:07:49 Cypi * | |
475 | ||
476 | ||
477 | * 2014-04-06T03:36:03 FXOR | |
478 | ||
479 | ||
480 | * 2014-04-06T13:44:35 pad | |
481 | ||
482 | ||
483 | * 2014-04-06T19:22:06 skasturi | |
484 | ||
485 | ||
486 | * 2014-04-06T19:37:13 Bloodhound | |
487 | ||
488 | ||
489 | * 2014-04-07T08:16:22 molly * | |
490 | ||
491 | ||
492 | * 2014-04-07T14:42:32 Bijan-E | |
493 | ||
494 | ||
495 | ||
496 | ||
497 | _(*) user opted out of the cloak lottery_ |