After almost two months of head-scratching, the Thawte cryptography challenge has been cracked.
Stephen Perris of the US took first prize with an answer based on a modified Vigen`ere table. Second place went to South African Dirk Laurie.
The code read: +ZX?GQNU@SWCW@>GGWDSU+QN ?GHZ#XWWM<*+?WZ+DU@HKH+*H*BX##)WNGCABQX*`PC*+B+Z<XACZP`HW>*KXWA<##E@**MDA>)*##SS?**G*?*W SC?`##A*HGK*EXXP+D#*A+Z>`:+US#C><N >GHW+ZCSED##S@*#NHC?G>G*S@CX?H*WBAWGEU<*S*SAXHXW)Q>MS>*HZG<S@++SN?SZ**:HZ>KDHCWW@UEDC?GC?NXX@<XWUD
The key to the code was "perseverance".
To decipher the code, players had to use the Vigen`ere table, a cipher table developed in 1562 by Blaise de Vigen`ere. The table was originally developed in response to the need for a stronger form of cipher because the commonly used single alphabet ciphers were easily decrypted by crypto analysis.
The Thawte crypto challenge required players to modify the table, which usually has 26 characters across and 26 characters down, to instead have 29 characters across. Decrypting a Vigen`ere table`s cipher requires working out the original alphabet, and having the key to decrypt it.
Using the table to decipher the code reveals the message: "The only thing we can be certain about with regard to the future is that it will belong to those who persevere, those who have the power to see beyond the obvious, to see the potential in everything. These visionaries who strive for greatness will shape our destiny and guide us to a glorious future."
Tracey Steyn, Thawte online marketing manager, says the main reasons for running the challenge were to build the Thawte brand and to establish relationships with the company`s target market. "The Thawte crypto challenge aims to address both these issues: develop a relationship with our customers and like-minded people, as well as add to the Thawte brand personality."
The company billed the challenge as "not for the faint-hearted or the feeble-minded. This code has been designed to give you a complete cerebral workout."
The challenge, run by the Cape Town-based Thawte, attracted thousands of entrants from as far as Afghanistan and Barbados struggling to crack the code posted on its Web site.
Thawte has posted a full explanation of the code-cracking answer on its site at http://www.thawte.com/cryptochallenge/cracked.html.
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