The Final Solution to the Kryptos Puzzle

After a journey lasting 35 years, the final solution to the famous puzzle known as Kryptos has been found. Two authors discovered the fourth message’s solution hidden within the Smithsonian Institution’s archives.

History of the Kryptos Puzzle

The Kryptos puzzle is a copper sculpture engraved with four encrypted messages, captivating both professional and amateur cryptographers since 1990, when artist Jim Sanborn installed it at the CIA headquarters in Virginia. The four encrypted messages consist of 869 characters, with the last part, known as K4, posing a real challenge.

K4 began with the letters “OBKR” and contained 97 characters. Anyone claiming to solve it had to demonstrate how they deciphered it from the encrypted text.

Solutions to Previous Parts

The first three parts were solved during the 1990s, but the solution to the fourth part, known as K4, remained a secret until now. Over the years, many enthusiasts attempted to crack K4 without success.

Sanborn was preparing to auction the solution, expected to fetch between $300,000 and $500,000. However, on September 3rd, he received an email from journalists Garrett Kobek and Richard Byrne containing the fully deciphered text.

The Discovery: Kobek and Byrne’s Story

Kobek and Byrne noticed in the auction listing that Sanborn’s “encryption tables” were part of the Smithsonian’s collection. Byrne photographed the papers, and later Kobek realized they contained taped scraps revealing the original text of K4. The scraps included previously released clues like “Berlin Clock” and “East Northeast,” which were part of the fully deciphered message.

Sanborn confirmed the solution’s authenticity, explaining that he accidentally included those scraps in the archive while gathering documents during cancer treatment years ago. After the discovery, he requested the Smithsonian seal the files for 50 years, which they complied with.

Reactions and Legal Implications

RR Auction, handling the sale, warned Kobek and Byrne against publishing the text, threatening legal action for interference and copyright infringement. Both men assured The New York Times they had no intention of publishing it.

RR Auction noted that the materials offered in the planned sale provide the only authorized understanding of how K4 works as part of Sanborn’s artistic vision. They clarified that while Kobek and Byrne might know the text, they do not possess the method by which K4 was encrypted or the complete creative context of the work.

Conclusion

Reactions within the cryptography community are mixed regarding the news. Some, including Donin, feel relieved that someone may have finally solved the long-standing Kryptos mystery. Others described the manner in which Kobek and Byrne found the solution as an “ugly ending.” Nonetheless, the fascination with Kryptos seems likely to continue. Donin says, “For a piece of art, if you can capture someone’s attention for 10 minutes, that’s good.” Sanborn managed to hold people’s interest for 35 years.