Cryptography Puzzle Of The Month




Introduction

Cryptography is the practice of keeping information secret by encrypting it. Encrypting information is a lot like scrambling it so that nobody else can read it. There are many ways to encrypt data. Some are simple and some are highly complex. Depending on the encryption technique used, breaking an encrypted message can range from easy to very difficult. Other times, breaking an encrypted message isn't hard conceptually but may take billions of years to get the results back.

Each month I will post a new puzzle. If you solve a puzzle, you will get a ticket for an end-of-the-month raffle. Some months will have two puzzles to solve (Basic and Advanced), which means two winners and two prizes. See the game rules below.

Rules

  • Solutions are due in writing or by email by 11:59 PM on the last day of each month
  • Winners will be drawn on the second school day of each month, usually at lunch
  • Separate raffles are drawn for Basic and Advanced puzzles
  • Each month, you may solve one or both puzzles
  • Solutions must include the following:
    • The original, unencrypted message
    • A paragraph or two describing how you solved the problem, including the total time you spent working on it
    • Any additional requirements stated at the end of the puzzle (Ex: August Puzzle)


 
 

Puzzle 1

Jgnnq htqo Ot. Hgttcpvg!

Vjku ku vjg hktuv rwbbng qh ocpa vq eqog.

Jgtg'u aqwt tgyctf:
  Yjcv fqgu aqwt rjqpg pwodgt urgnn?
  Vta kv cv:  jvvr://yyy.rjqpgurgnn.qti

Puzzle 2

Easy puzzle:

YIsudo e  uwccs iroadlemyilte d   " gpumiiapatvp t eetha roogy  maoimaiufenn   i!ayaa  on"


Hard puzzle:

Iishosftaeuwoenptou.dahrnItseddthssiahiwesnanocBisgrronmsdeotatatgenonparysdaleqeIposueweoti.ir.irTl.nkelTgylghwglieeamvpbmeeasetys

Additional requirements: You must also figure out and describe HOW I encrypted this message so that, in theory, you could encrypt another message using the exact same procedure.
 
 

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