Encoding a clue with Enigma

[me_chris]

Alright,

I am working on a multi cache, and I want to add a bit of a puzzle in there as well to make it interesting... So, I would like to encode the final clue using Enigma, and then the steps of the multi would give the geocacher the Rotor and Plug settings of the enigma machine so that they can then decode the clue and find the final...

 

I know not everyone has an enigma machine lying around, and since they can only rarely be bought at auction for somewhere between $10,000 and $40,000 (yup, i researched it... I am a total WWII nut and would LOVE to have one) I found this Enigma Simulator on the internet...

 

My problem is... in order to be able to decode the clue on-site a person would either have to own an enigma machine and lug it with them, or bring a laptop with internet access with them...

 

I was thinking they could have someone at home with internet access and call them with the rotor and plug settings?

 

Is there a way to make it easy for people to decode the clue once they find the settings, or is this whole thing just a dumb idea? :-) The best I can think of it to call someone at home - is there some other way to do this? (short of buying everyone an enigma machine of course...)

[+DocDiTTo]

Alright,

I am working on a multi cache, and I want to add a bit of a puzzle in there as well to make it interesting... So, I would like to encode the final clue using Enigma, and then the steps of the multi would give the geocacher the Rotor and Plug settings of the enigma machine so that they can then decode the clue and find the final...

 

 

I don't cache because I like to solve 60 year old ciphers with internet based machines. I'm sure there are others who will be happy to disagree with me, but that's my take.

If I knew I'd have to stop halfway through a cache and go use the internet or try to find someone by phone who could do it for me, I'd never even start the cache.

 

If you insist on detracting from the caching experience with an enigma based puzzle, why not make it the first part of the puzzle, so people can solve it at home then go into the field and finish up without interruption? That way you've got your puzzle but people don't have to kill an otherwise wonderful day screwing around with the internet or phone a friends.

[+tabulator32]

I think its kinda cool and its educational.

 

I've been interested in the Enigma story since Das Boot.

 

Tell the cacher he needs to pre-arrange with a friend to have them ready to assist you from their computer.

 

If they have to, they can take the information down and come back again once they have decoded it.

 

If you want to make it REALLY easy, put the message in the description so they decode it right online while they are looking a the cache page and THEN go to the cache to log it.

 

Anyway, sounds cool.

 

Good luck with it!

[+klossner]

One of my favorite caches required me to stop, not once but twice, at internet-enabled computers in order to type in the data I'd gathered and get the next waypoint. The cache listing includes information on where to find public-access systems and free WiFi hotspots.

[+BBWolf+3Pigs]

Check out Mercury Rising by WreckDiver.

 

The stages are not in the same park or woods or anything. Rather, they take you to WWII/German U-Boat related points in the Newport, RI area. Very well done cache, which took me about a week to solve.

 

The one mistake I made was using a less than friendly enigma emulator. There is one out there where you can type the entire cipher text, and then hit "decode" (Enigma Emulator). The emulator does the letter by letter decode. The one I used was such that if you typed a letter wrong, you had to go back and re-type the whole string. Very frustrating when typing long strings!

[+Wander Lost]

IMNSHO the encrypted hint should be short and to the point. It should be something that will clearly lead the cache seeker to the hide location when decrypted in the field AFTER the cacher has given up searching on their own.

 

Putting anything else in that space is useless.

[+jimear1e]

Irchriscdk, I downloaded a PDF paper enigma back in 2003 developed by a researcher. If you are interested, please email me through GC with an address to email it. The file is only 79k.

[+DocDiTTo]

Irchriscdk, I downloaded a PDF paper enigma back in 2003 developed by a researcher. If you are interested, please email me through GC with an address to email it. The file is only 79k.

 

Now that might be interesting. Rather than make the computer do all the work, make the cacher do it. At least they'd have a better understanding of the machine, I think. Plus, you could stick that in a cache which would allow decoding on site. I'd personally find that much more fun than having to stop what I'm doing and find a computer. It would be neat if you'd have to collect the correct "settings" from various stages in the multi then put them all together with this enigma "machine" to get to the final. I guess this all depends on how the paper machine works, but it's a good suggestion.

[+Team Black-Cat]

Set up a wireless kiosk near the cache site.

 

You might be able to find a simulator for a Pocket PC and leave that in the cache. You'll have to find a way to secure it, and keep it fed, but it's another option...

[me_chris]

Irchriscdk, I downloaded a PDF paper enigma back in 2003 developed by a researcher. If you are interested, please email me through GC with an address to email it. The file is only 79k.

 

A quick google search turned up this paper enigma:

 

Is this the one mentioned in the earlier message? It looks like this might be the way to go - people can print this out and build it before hunting the cache...

 

Thanks everyone for the advice!

[+Capt Biggins]

Irchriscdk, I downloaded a PDF paper enigma back in 2003 developed by a researcher. If you are interested, please email me through GC with an address to email it. The file is only 79k.

 

A quick google search turned up this paper enigma:

 

Is this the one mentioned in the earlier message? It looks like this might be the way to go - people can print this out and build it before hunting the cache...

 

Thanks everyone for the advice!

 

Thanks for such great info from your search!! I've been looking, and I guess not typing the right questions to find such a great cypher tool!!

[+Von-Horst]

Alright,

I am working on a multi cache, and I want to add a bit of a puzzle in there as well to make it interesting...

 

You could always make it a trad containing the rotor settings tallowing the finder to locate one (or more) puzzle caches...which could be hidden in 'themed' locations.

 

That way the cacher would find the trad on a first day, go home, hit the internet and go out again another day...

[+wimseyguy]

As long as the cache listing is up front about what will be required to solve the puzzle you are OK. Cachers who like to do this type of cache will seek it, and those who don't will ignore it. Set it up the way you want to, and make it the kind of cache you want to seek.

[+trainlove]

The Enigma puzzle in New Hampshire can't be decoded with the online Engima decoder. A download of an Enigma decoder program is required.

 

That's against the newer rules for cache approval and external required software. I guess this particular cache is grandfathered.

 

Pertinant paragraphs:

In the interest of file security, caches that require the downloading, installing or running of data and/or executables may not be published.

 

Caches that require a geocacher to visit another website will not be published if the finder must create an account with, or provide personal information to, the other website.

[jholly]

Another option might be a lizardtoadz decoder coin. You can use it for a Vigenere Cypher. The coins, paper version and other info can be found here.

 

Jim

Edited December 15, 2007 by jholly

[steve638]

Make decoding optional so people don't complain or do it so they do either way it's your cache and you should state that if they don't want that kind of challenge don't do the cache.

WIUZJXPPAXGSSPYIPQSFOHWSRBRMQXNZPLFKQCBL

 

Otherwise we should all wear gray and not speak to anyone as to not offend anybody!

 

I think you should make your cache the way you want, the people who do it will determine the success of your cache

 

By the way it's a great IDEA!!!

 

WFBSKAAQDVVJOCWEPIOTEUFRRQSKTSZNEBBNBN

Edited December 16, 2007 by steve638

[+wutzebear]

You might be able to find a simulator for a Pocket PC

This program exists. I don't have my PPC at hand to check its name, but the program was written by an UK geocacher and can do Enigma, Rot13, Vigenere and some more decryptions.

 

Edit to add: it's Cipher Notepad.

Edited December 16, 2007 by wutzebear

[+desert georangers]

I think an Enigma cipher is a great idea for a puzzle cache. I've been working on one myself, but haven't completed the details. I had thought about a code book in a regular cache that would be needed to solve the cipher for the Enigma puzzle cache. I don't think I would like a puzzle in the middle of looking for a multi unless I had the ability to solve the puzzle before looking for the cache.

As far as simulators go, there are many available: http://www.xat.nl/enigma/index.htm

I have used the Palm simulators and they both work very well. Dirk Rijmenants' simulator for Windows is very cool. His website is also very helpful in understanding how the ciphers and machines were used.

P.S. Did you know an Enigma geocoin is now available and has a cipher on the coin?

Good luck. I will be interested to see the results of your work.

[+Geosniper fam]

think that it would be cool

Edited January 31, 2008 by bethandken

[+Annie & PB]

Do it the way you want to do it!!

 

Difficulty 4&5 caches - which this would be, allow for cachers having to revisit the cache several times and or use specialist equipment/knowledge. Just set your difficulty rating correctly and also make it clear in the description and you will have the people who love this kind of cache flocking to do it.

 

Annie

[+aerofarm]

I am also a history teacher and WWII buff and have written up a puzzle cache using the enigma simulator, but I haven't placed it yet. Still looking for the right place. I was not going to encode the clue with enigma, but just the coordinates.

 

The cache page would give a history of enigma, then the rotor, stecker settings, etc., and then have the encoded coords.

 

Still thinking about it, just haven't gotten it done.