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Enigma Home Page
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Introduction
I wrote challenges regarding the Military Enigma (Enigma I) and the
Commercial Enigma. These challenges have several objectives. First,
you will have fun solving them. Then allow you to better understand
how the Enigma works and how to break it. Finally, allow you to step
into the shoes of the Allied cryptologists of WWII and use their methods.
The challenges listed in order of difficulty
The Military Enigma
- Easy (resolvable with paper and pencil)
1st, 11th (the messages are superimposed, we can find the clear by
hand without needing the key), 13th (thanks to the Rejewski catalog),
24th (difficult to solve but by hand!),
- Medium (you need a computer and be able to write small programs)
2nd (you must use Gillogly's algorithm). 3th, 5rh, 6th, 7th, 8th,
20th (you have to use the Turing / Welchman Bombe), 14th (you can
use Knox's butting up method), 16th (you have to simulate the Netz),
18th (steckers are known, just try all keys), 21th (you have to
emulate the Polish Bombe).
- Difficult (you have to master the programming as well as the
cryptanalysis of the Enigma)
4th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 17th, (use Hill Climbing algorithm),
The Commercial Enigma
- Easy (resolvable with paper and pencil)
1st (we know everything), 2nd (we can use Knox's ROD method), 5th
(in fact difficult, but the messages being superimposed, we can find
the clear without knowing the key).
- Medium (you need a computer and be able to write small programs)
3rd, 4th (you have to try all the keys), 5th (you need to use Knox's
Buttoning up method)
- Difficult (you have to master the programming as well as the
cryptanalysis of the Enigma)
7th (The wiring of ETW is unknow, use Lt R.E. Greenwood's method)
The challenges that can be solved with the methods of the allies
Military enigma
- Rejewski feat (find the rotors wiring): challenge 14, 23
Remark: Challenge 23 is arguably the closest to the conditions
of Rejewski's feat.
- Twinn exploit (find the rotor wiring using Knox's Buttoning Up method):
challenge 15.
- Turing method with the spy help: challenge 22
- Rejewski's catalog: challenge 13
- Zygalski's sheets (Netz): challenge 16
- Knox’s cillies: challenge 24
- Polish Bombe: challenge 21
- Turing / Welchman Bombe: challenges 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 19, 20
Remarks: challenges 6, 7 and 9 use “query menu”,
in challenge 19, the solution (how to use a bombe menu) is given.
- EINS catalog: challenge 19
- Bamburismus: challenge 12
The Commercial Enigma
- The Knox ROD method: challenges 2, 3
- The Knox's Buttoning up method: challenge 6
- The Lt R.E. Greenwood's method: challenge 7
Tools
Some problems can be solved by hand, but there are not many. Most
challenges require the use of a computer. You can write your
own software or use existing ones on the Net. On my Enigma site,
I make available my software (including the Turing / Welcman Bombe)
that you can use directly or be inspired by.
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