Security Corner » Contest

Cryptogram Contest

Ken Harthun — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 16:33:26 +0000

This is the “lighten up” portion of this month’s series of blog posts. I have created a cryptogram that I believe will be difficult to solve, though I have used a simple sequential variation on the Caesar Cipher. Everyone is eligible to play and the prize will be a DVD (or download – your preference) of my Geek Toolkit that normally sells for $27 through my special offer (You don’t have to enter – you can just buy a copy of the toolkit if you want). To enter, just email your solution and shipping details to me: ken [at] kenharthun.com. Deadline is 28 June 2011. I will publish the method I used and the solution on 30 June 2011.

The ciphertext is below. Hint: The key to solving this cipher is to figure out the shift and the variation. The very first letter of the cryptogram is the actual first letter of the first word and all punctuation is preserved. Please note that this is NOT a simple substitution cipher. There is no guaranteed the letters will be the same throughout, though you may notice repeating patterns.

‘TXZT ASHMKIF, BME SID TKJSIZ UNWDT CJC HXSD BME FJLCKF HO SID XZCD: BKM LJLTX XDSD UGF APQPFPUFR, BME SID NNND SZUGT NVSHQBAF.

Good luck!

A Password Challenge Contest

Ken Harthun — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:18:10 +0000

I’m going to end this first month of 2010 with a password challenge contest. There are two entry categories: The Top Ten List of Worst Passwords; and, the Strongest Short Easy-to-remember Password . One First Prize winner in each category will get a free copy of my Geek Toolkit. Here are the rules:

Top Ten List of Worst Passwords: Compile your own Top Ten List of the worst passwords you’ve seen or read about. I will compare that with my compiled list from authoritative sources. The person whose list matches the most entries on my list wins. If there are ties, everyone wins.

Strongest Short Easy-to-remember Password: In ten characters or fewer, come up with a strong password that is also easy to remember. Random strings are not allowed, i.e., I won’t accept Xcy4lmO3az. I will judge the strength of the passwords using my Password Meter at Ask the Geek. You must tell me what makes the password memorable to you. For example, can you write down a password hint that means nothing to me, but that tells you what the password is? If there are ties, everyone wins.

You may send an entry for either or both categories, but they must be in separate emails. Use my secure contact form to enter (http://askthegeek.kennyhart.com/index.php/ask-a-question/). Deadline is Sunday, February 7, 2010

Results will be published.

Good luck!

Win an Xbox for Asking & Answering IT Questions

Ken Harthun — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:31:37 +0000

Hey, fellow Geeks,

Now through the end of April, your tech savvy can earn you the chance to win one of three Xbox 360 game consoles being given away by our favorite tech site, IT Knowledge Exchange. Winners will be the top three community members who have the most Knowledge Points earned and have asked five IT-related questions. You still get points for asking other questions, but only those related to IT will be counted for the contest. Full details are in community manager’s Jenny Mackintosh’s ITKE Community blog posting, so go there for rules, etc.

The three winners will receive:

First Place: Xbox 360 Elite
Second Place: Xbox 360
Third Place: Xbox 360 Arcade

This is a chance to show off your IT guru skills and win a neat prize in the process. Go ahead and ask a tough question (remember, you need to ask five of them) by going to the Ask a Question page.

Good luck and have fun!