Cicada 3301 is a nickname given to three sets of puzzles posted under the name "3301" online between 2012 and 2014. It is a mysterious organization that has posted extremely difficult puzzles for three years in a row, in an attempt to recruit and enlighten the best cryptanalysts from the public. The puzzles are believed to be the most "elaborated and mysterious puzzle of the internet age". The first puzzle started on January 2, 2012, on 4chan and ran for nearly a month. Cicada 3301 prepares the most unique and difficult type of clues that no individual could solve without proper knowledge about various important concepts of computer science, such as coding, cryptography, encryption, and steganography. The types of clues and facts about Cicada 3301 are as follows:

• An image was given.
• Clues led to the dark web too.
• The puzzles are believed to be the most "elaborated and mysterious puzzle of the internet age".

No one knows who sets the puzzles or what the prize is at the end, but Cicada 3301 has posted mysterious, extremely difficult puzzles for three years in a row, in an attempt to recruit and enlighten the best cryptanalysts from the public. Some of the final contestants believe that Cicada 3301 is a remnant of the late 1980s and 1990s Cypherpunk movement. Cicada 3301 is not a company or individual that has attempted to monetize it. Cicada 3301 is not a game, but rather a multifaceted enigma that lies somewhere at the intersection of a game, a competition, and a job interview. The only piece of half-reliable information we have about who or what Cicada is and what they want comes from a leaked email from one of the winners of the 2012 challenge. It is a huge mystery as to who created this puzzle and what is the reason behind wanting such intelligent individuals in a team.