Cicada 3301 is widely considered "the most elaborate and mysterious puzzle of the internet age". It began on January 4, 2012, with a cryptic image posted on 4chan's /x/ board, and continued with annual puzzles in 2013 and 2014. While often associated with the , the puzzles spanned multiple layers of the internet and the physical world. The Puzzles and Mechanics
: Some winners from 2012 reported being invited to a private forum to work on privacy-focused software development. Dark Web: Cicada 3301
The stated goal of Cicada 3301 was to recruit "highly intelligent individuals" through challenges that tested skills in . Cicada 3301 is widely considered "the most elaborate
The true identity of the group behind Cicada 3301 remains unknown. Common theories regarding its purpose include: The Puzzles and Mechanics : Some winners from
: At one stage, GPS coordinates led participants to physical QR code posters on lampposts across several countries, including the US, Poland, France, and South Korea.