[83a]

spoiler for first challenge:

   data = 'MAL TIRRUEZF CR MAL RKZYIOL EX MAL OIY UAE RICF MAL ACWALRM DYEUPLFWL CR ME DYEU MAIM UL IZL RKZZEKYFLF GH OHRMLZH'
   c = {'I': 'a', ' ': ' ', 'L': 'e', 'Y': 'n', 'F': 'd', 'H': 'y', 'P': 'l', 'K': 'u', 'O': 'm', 'G': 'b', 'D': 'k', 'A': 'h', 'Z': 'r', 'C': 'i', 'R': 's', 'W': 'g', 'X': 'f', 'M': 't', 'E': 'o', 'U': 'w', 'T': 'p'}
   "".join((c[i] if i in c else i for i in data))
   > 'the password is the surname of the man who said the highest knowledge is to know that we are surrounded by mystery'

[busterarm]

Isn't the point to be able to do these yourself?

[AlyssaRowan]

Yes, exactly. In that case, perhaps using the algorithm described in the same place as one may find the reverser's credo: "what one man can invent, another can discover"? (As can women and others, of course! I've always assumed the "man" a forgivable historical artifact there, given the now 110-year gap.)

One might tolerate an occasional hint, but please, please, please do not spoil the crackmes and such things. They are for the practice and instruction of those who seek knowledge, not those who want to merely find it. The act of seeking trains the mind in the inference of their creators' intentions and thoughts: a skill that needs to be learned, and I do not think can simply be taught.

I am, of course, biased. There is a remnant of elitism, I will admit. Before we had the web, such things used to be swapped via post, and obscure BBSes. It's quite emotional, even, to be reminded some of the old forgotten places still exist. It has been many years. Even... a certain shrine's still running, somehow. Old crackers never die: they just nop! +akr

[jleahy]

90 90 90 90

[antimagic]

I do love me a good NOP ramp.