logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2024
2m 55s

The World's Hardest Puzzle | Trailer

Stak
About this episode

In 2012, a mysterious organisation known as Cicada 3301 announced itself to the world with a cryptic post seeking ‘highly intelligent individuals.’


What followed became known as the hardest puzzle on the internet. One that took players to all corners the internet and out into real-world locations. After two years of enigmatic posting, it disappeared - and was never seen again. The final puzzle was never solved.Nearly a decade later, Tommie Trelawny and Nicky Anderson decide to take on Cicada 3301 for themselves.


Who was behind these mysterious puzzles? And what did they want to achieve?


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Feb 2024
Good Luck, 3301 | The World's Hardest Puzzle – Episode 1
In January 2012, a cryptic post appeared online, seeking ‘highly intelligent individuals.’ What followed became known as Cicada 3301, the hardest puzzle on the internet. One that took players across the online space and then, to real-world locations. After two years of enigmatic ... Show More
33m 35s
Feb 2024
We Want The Best | The World's Hardest Puzzle – Episode 2
The complexity of each set of Cicada 3301’s puzzles astounded everyone. Even the minute details seemed forensic... All we know is they wanted ‘highly intelligent individuals.’ But why did they want them? To get closer to the answers, Nicky speaks to an entomologist, and Tommie a ... Show More
22m 41s
Feb 2024
It’s Dark Outside | The World's Hardest Puzzle – Episode 3
Liberty. Privacy. Security. These are the values that Cicada 3301 fight for. Tommie decided to delve into the murky world of privacy activism and the Dark Web. While meeting those who call the internet home, he stumbles across a revelation… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy ... Show More
23m 21s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2021
The Internet's Biggest Mystery: Cicada 3301
In early 2012, an extremely difficult puzzle was released to 4chan, a popular internet forum, in search of highly intelligent individuals. This puzzle became known as Cicada 3301. Who are they? What happened to the winners?<br /><br />Produced by Edwin Covarrubias<br />Research b ... Show More
12 m
Aug 2023
Solving Cicada 3301: Decoding the Internet's Greatest Mystery
Early in the morning of January 4th 2012, a strange message appeared on the internet. Just a few lines of text on an image, posted anonymously. Hello. We are looking for highly intelligent individuals. To find them, we have devised a test. There is a message hidden in this image. ... Show More
40m 12s
Mar 2025
DARK WEB: Cicada 3301
<p>In 2012, a series of complex puzzles appeared on the website known as 4Chan. Thousands took to the forums, trying to crack the codes and riddles written by an author known only as Cicada 3301. Some believed the puzzles were a recruitment tool for an unknown organization, other ... Show More
34m 24s
Sep 2024
89. Cicada 3301 - The Internet’s Greatest Mystery
Payton delves into the enigma of Cicada 3301, a cryptic online puzzle that challenged only the world's most skilled hackers. Who was behind it, and what was its purpose? Links: linktr.ee/murderwithmyhusband Rolling Stone - https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/cicad ... Show More
35m 38s
Mar 2024
Cicada 3301
GET‌ ‌EVERY‌ ‌EPISODE‌ ‌AD FREE PLUS BONUS‌ ‌CONTENT‌ ‌AT:‌ ‌‌www.patreon.com/crackpotpodcast‌ Cicada 3301. The name itself sends shivers down the spines of internet sleuths. In this episode, we dive deep into the world's most famous (or infamous?) online puzzle.  Was Cicada 3301 ... Show More
56m 23s
Sep 2022
4chan Rabbit Hole Surrounding This Strange Number | 432 Mystery
On October 6th, 2014, an anonymous user on 4chan shared a strange email that they received. This initial post kickstarted a journey down the rabbit hole involving a series of intricate puzzles and the Dark Web. But as quickly as the mystery spun up, it just as swiftly faded away, ... Show More
1h 25m
Jul 2020
Kryptos, the Uncrackable Code
At the heart of CIA headquarters stands an enigmatic sculpture called Kryptos, encoded with a secret message. For over 30 years, it's stumped an entire community of puzzle solvers. Master cryptologist Elonka Dunin refuses to give up on this challenge and today, she may be inching ... Show More
19m 55s
Sep 2020
CLASSIC: Cicadas, Ciphers and Codes: The Weird World of Cryptography
<p>For much of recorded history, humans beings have been trying to devise unbreakable codes (and break the codes of their rivals). But is there any truly unbreakable code? And what exactly is Cicada 3301? Join Ben and Matt as they decipher cryptography in this classic episode.</p ... Show More
16m 48s
Mar 2021
Find
In 2006 the creators of the alternate reality game, Perplex City set a puzzle challenge called Billion to One. With only one photograph and a first name players were tasked with using the internet to find out who the man was in the photo. Despite thousands of people looking for S ... Show More
28m 58s