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To
avoid confusion, we have defined some terms that we use to refer
to the different kinds of phrases used in the decoding process.
Sometimes we use the terms decode and decipher interchangeably,
but when you substitute each letter in a message for another
letter it is actually called enciphering.
- A message that you
can read that has not been enciphered is called "PLAIN
TEXT"
- When it has been
enciphered and is not readable then it is called "CIPHER
TEXT"
- Sometimes a keyword
is used to make a cipher more difficult to crack and is called
"KEY TEXT"
Definition
of a "MYSTERY CACHE" from Groundspeak
is the "catch-all" of cache types, this form of cache
can involve complicated puzzles you will first need to solve
to determine the coordinates. The only commonality of this cache
type is that the coordinates listed are not of the actual cache
location but a general reference point, such as a nearby parking
location. Due to the increasing creativity of geocaching this
becomes the staging ground for new and unique challenges.
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Easiest
but least secure
If you want to make a code that is easy for players to
decipher then you can use this method where the decoder
is set in a certain way and then left that way for the
entire message. You could arrange to give the players
a symbol by hiding it in a cache or some other way. Players
would then find that symbol and then use it by aligning
that symbol on the inner wheel of the decoder with the
A and B on the outer wheel. For example, if you use the
 symbol
as the key that is given to the players then they would
align that symbol on the inner wheel with the AB on the
outer wheel as shown.
To create a coded message for the phrase "Avast Ye
Mateys", you would first line up the
symbol with the A and B on the outer wheel. Then find
each letter of the message on the inner wheel and write
down the corresponding letter on the outer wheel. Starting
with the letter A from Avast, find it on the inner wheel
and notice it lines up with the L on the outer wheel.
The letter V on the inner wheel lines up with the J and
so forth. |
When your players look at your encoded message hopefully
they will have already found the symbol they need and
they will line up the symbol on the inner wheel with the
AB on the outer wheel. This step is identical to what
you did to create the message. But now they need to do
the opposite of what was done to create the message. They
will need to find the letters on the outer wheel and write
down the matching letter on the inner wheel.
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VIGENERE CIPHER with KEYWORD
A
much more secure method of sending a secret message
is to use a Vigenere Cipher with a keyword. With this
type of cipher you change the alignment of the code wheels
after each letter in your message. For this example we
will send the message "MEET AT THE LIBRARY AT SEVEN".
We will use "SECRET" for the keyword. The first
step is to write the keyword above the plain text lining
up the letters one for one. Find the first letter of the
key text (which is S) on the inner wheel and line it up
with with the letter A on the outer wheel.
Now find the first letter of the plaintext (M) on the
inner wheel and take the matching letter (V) for the first
letter of the cipher text. Align the next letter of the
key text (E) on the inner wheel with the letter A on the
outer wheel. Find the second letter of the plaintext (E)
on the inner wheel and use the matching letter on the
outer wheel (A) for the second letter in your cipher text.
Follow this same procedure to finish enciphering your
message. |
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