A858DE45F56D9BC9 archive

A858's messages

Transcripts of private messages from the people behind A858, published only as screenshots. In them the operator says who they were, how the posts were made, and why most of the puzzles can't be solved.

Two sets of private messages from A858's operator were made public as screenshots on imgur. They are transcribed here. The first is a long mod-mail thread with the moderators of r/Solving_A858, in which the operator explains how the project started and ended. The second is an earlier exchange with a Solving_A858 moderator who signs as "K", from the A858 account and the /u/w92, /u/w95 and /u/w20 accounts.

Read with the AMA, these messages give the operator's own account of the project. Some of it bears directly on the posts:

The two accounts don't fully agree. In the earlier messages the operator describes a team, a client and "the other set of posts" made by others. In the later mod mail they write that they were "most of A858", that the /u/wNN handles were mostly theirs, and that the TeamW posts were the client's idea.

How the transcripts are written. The text is as shown in the screenshots, including spelling, punctuation and typos (mi5takes, guids, peaking, \o/). Black boxes in the screenshots were redactions made before the screenshots were posted; they appear as [redacted], and nothing has been reconstructed. Where a name is shown, it is used. Where it is blacked out, the speaker is [name redacted], and the role in brackets is inferred from what they write. The screenshots give dates only as relative times ("sent 9 months ago").

1. Mod mail: "Summary of events"

Source: a screenshot on imgur of one long Reddit mod-mail thread. It is one thread between the operator and /u/Eathed, a moderator of r/Solving_A858, with replies from other mods and the operator in between.

A858 (operator), private message, "Summary of events":

[redacted]

I am A858. Well, most of A858.

I have three goals for writing this: first, to thank you for keeping the doxxer at bay. Second, I'd like to thank and acknowledge you for the work you've done in solving_a858 (Thanks!) And finally, I'd like my involvement in this project to conclude, and hopefully some backstory will help that.

My company [redacted] was contracted about 5 years ago to draw attention to the A858 reddit. I was asked to make it cryptographic / code related.

[redacted block, several lines]

I provide VPN services for my clients and contractors and use it myself. It appears that [redacted] and/or The Client used my VPN to post to reddit and join IRC. I did not join the IRC channel.

I created some very complex puzzles using cryptography and other text manipulation techniques, but most went unnoticed. It's really hard to make difficult puzzles! What seems obvious to the puzzle maker could be completely invisible to the public. Basically, either the puzzles were simple encodings that fragglet could solve in two minutes, or they were too complex for anyone. Plus I made a few mi5takes. \o/

The TeamW stuff was the client's idea to generate new interest, but it didn't seem to work.

[redacted], most of the /u/wNN handles were me. /u/A858... was usually me, but not always. /u/9cb9... was never me. /u/TeamWMod is not me.

[Embedded image, text reads: "Taking about / being doxxed"]

Feel free to ask any questions about me or the project, with the understanding that I can't divulge The Client, nor do I know what their intentions were.

Eathed:

Thank you for sharing this information. I'm sorry that it came to a user trying to track you down.

Eathed:

I'm still at work so I won't be able to do too much talking till tonight. I did read through everything and I do have a few questions.

First of all, would it be alright to sanitize some of this and share it? By sanitize I mean remove anything relating to you and your company. I can run any posts through you before posting anything publicly.

Second, any hints as to solving older posts? Are they all solvable in some manner? Was the account automated in some way? For example, did you add posts to a queue and have them posted at regular intervals?

Third, do you think /u/TeamWMod is part of your company or your client? If he is the current mod of the subreddit, who appointed him?

Thanks again for sharing.

[name redacted] (operator, by content):

Yeah, I think a redacted version of the post might be acceptable. Maybe I'll pen one and you guys can post it.

TeamWMod is the client -- but it looks like it's deleted now. I don't know who or if there's a moderator now.

/u/wHeartBeat was the interim moderator for the reddits after A858 et al was deleted. I had access to that account and made TeamWMod the mod for the reddits at my client's request and deleted /u/wHeartBeat. I have never operated the TeamWMod account.

The client posted the conclusion messages (and made fragglet an approved submitter at my request) although I wrote the messages.

The vast majority of posts are randomly generated text encrypted with a salted key. For many of them the salt was randomly generated, while some of them used the title as the salt, and others had no salt.

I wrote a piece of software to post, and I could choose what kind of encryption / encoding I wanted in the UI.

Like I wrote in the conclusion text, there isn't enough information to solve the outstanding puzzles. I accidentally posted the keys to the largest puzzle inside of a post that was encrypted with a random salt instead of a known salt. Oops.

[name redacted] (moderator, by content):

Thanks for revealing this, it's all very interesting.

I suppose it goes without saying that there's nothing you can reveal about the client or the overall purpose of the subreddit? My guess would be recruitment for a government agency but I don't suppose you can confirm that?

[name redacted] (operator, by content):

The client is a privately held corporation headquartered in [redacted].

Eathed:

So what were the dogecoin addresses meant to be? Did the serve a purpose related to the mystery or was it to just drum up more interest?

What were the special prime number posts?

Are there any other special posts you can think of that we didn't solve?

Eathed:

While were at it, what was postanalyzer? Was that meant to be a hint towards the solution for earlier posts?

Were the GUID posts anything?

Sorry, just peaking through the wiki to see if there are any questions we have unanswered.

[name redacted] (operator, by content):

I hoped that people would transfer coins into that address, and if sufficient coins had been transferred, I was going to give them to whoever solved a complex puzzle.

But nobody donated.

I'm happy to answer questions about posts I made.

Eathed:

That would have been a neat idea. I certainly wouldn't send money to a random address though.

Eathed:

I sent two sets of questions within a minute or so of each other, not sure if you saw the second one asking about prime number and guid posts.

Eathed:

Another question, why had the subreddit opened back up and why is there another new mod?

[name redacted] (operator, by content):

I asked my client to reopen it for a day and approve fragglet's post because he was getting grief about not supplying proof. I don't want you guys hassled any more. You might point out the post to people who are questioning fragglet's mod comment.

Eathed:

Alright, that makes sense. Do you know why the new account?

Also, you said you wrote software to do the posting. Would it be possible to see that, either the source or even just a screen shot?

[name redacted] (operator, by content):

I think the teamwmod account was deleted. Guess they made a new account to reopen the reddit.

I'll see about a screen shot tomorrow.

Eathed:

Cool, thanks. We're the guids you posted meaningful in some way or was it just more nonsense?

[name redacted]:

Thanks for doing this.

[name redacted] (operator, by content):

Sure. Thanks for removing that post this morning.

[redacted] owns an IT consulting firm and software company in town. He and I share some resources. He is not involved in A858.

[name redacted] (operator, by content):

I must have been using his VPN at some point.

2. Messages to a Solving_A858 moderator

Source: an imgur album of 11 screenshots, transcribed below in album order. The album page shows only the first image; the rest are in the album's zip download.

Conventions for this section:

Image 1: w95 · Dogecoin

Subject "Dogecoin"; all messages show "sent 9 months ago".

K (signed "Regards, K", to w95):

Hi,

are you still there? Could you explain what's going on with this dogecoin message?

Regards, K

w95 (to K):

I have some freedom to do things, and I get periodic directives. Signing up for the dogetipbot was a directive. I don't know what the point is.

K (to w95):

Thanks for answering. Can we keep this channel open?

w95 (to K):

So, I guess our client just pulled the plug on the project. I was just told I was done with A858, which is fine with me. It's been a long three years. I guess they're going to change passwords on the accounts (I had access to the w* accounts and A858 account.) I have to give them all of my source code, too (bot).

I asked if they were going to continue with whatever it was they were doing and my boss said he didn't know, but gave me a look like it was none of my fucking business.

I'm not supposed to post anything any more, and the contract terminates on Wednesday. I don't know what's going to happen. Maybe they're done.

I'm still under NDA for fifty years (46, actually), although I don't really have any information that would be useful to anyone...

Peace out.

K (to w95):

Thanks for telling me. So this will be our last contact... I guess you'd be in trouble if I'd post some of the information, right?

(Image 1 ends here. The "Solving_A858" section that begins at its bottom edge continues in image 5.)

Image 2: A858DE45F56D9BC9 · Error

A858DE45F56D9BC9 (sent 1 year ago; recipient not shown):

Oh, I am A858, if you didn't notice. If you agree not to tell anyone that I contacted you directly, I can help you crack some of the codes that I've posted over the years.

You cannot crack all of them, and after you announce to the world (if you want) that you cracked some of them, I will be changing how the messages are encrypted.

Anyway, I was wondering if you had heard anything from MuonDragon. He worked here, but then disappeared. He actually didn't know who A858 was; I knew he was a redditor, so I told him about it in passing (pretending I knew nothing.) Hopefully I won't get in trouble for asking.

I can't tell you how to decrypt all of the messages, and you don't want to anyway, but I can at least help you be a little internet famous if you want.

Otherwise, I'll keep posting what I'm told to post...

Image 3: reply, header cropped

Sender not shown. The quoted lines match the questions in image 6, and the reply continues the w95 answers in images 10 and 8.

How much of our conversation do you want to be published on reddit?

None. Although I realize I have no control over your actions which is why I have implored you to use discretion. Please understand that any public of our interactions will likely cause the immediate cessation of the project in its current form.

Is this a threat or a warning?

It was neither a threat, nor a warning. It was a simple statement of fact. I broke the rules of my job by contacting you accidentally. I could face disciplinary action. And since I don't know what the other members of the project are doing, I can't speak for how they'd act, but I do know that (as indicated in our agreement) they would be upset. I would assume, considering the nature of our agreement, they would want to know exactly what was exchanged, which means they would likely want to contact you.

I haven't called out our exchange, so I guess that goes to show who and what I am.

I do appreciate it.

If this is a game, just give me a clue. I like games and gambling, but have to understand the rules.

I'm trying to keep people interested in A858 so the other member(s) of the project can do their work. Without viewers this project would end.

I'm happy to create and post some solvable puzzles, if that is interesting to you.

By the way, to my knowledge, my project is not in any way connected to this other puzzle reddit that's being discussed in Solving_A858.

Thanks for the gold again. It's been very nice of you shelling out some bucks - please be aware that I'm not bribable. You are not dealing with some fly-by-night joker right now.

In the spirit of Reddit gold, I offered gold as appreciation for your activity on reddit. I certainly hope $6 would not be incentive to violate your principals.

I hope I have addressed your questions adequately.

Image 4: reddit gold notice

reddit (sent 1 year ago; recipient not shown): "Let there be gold! An anonymous redditor just sent you reddit gold."

An anonymous redditor just gifted you 2 months of reddit gold! Here's a note that was included:

Thanks, w92

[Standard reddit gold boilerplate omitted.]

Footer: "If 666 is evil, does that make 25.8069758011 the root of all evil?" (r/shittyaskscience)

Image 5: w20 · Solving_A858 and w92 · Open

w20 (subject "Solving_A858", sent 9 months ago):

I am subscribed to /r/Solving_A858.

w92 (subject "Open"):

From w92 (sent 9 months ago):

Still open, although I don't check these alts very often.

To w92 (sent 9 months ago; sender not shown):

Okay. That's very nice. Do you still take a look at our sub from time to time?

Image 6: w92 · Questions

To w92 (sent 1 year ago; sender not shown). The replies in images 10, 8 and 3 answer these questions.

You said you would answer some questions. Well, here they are...

Which purpose do these posts have?

Are they illegal?

What about Stonehenge, Mavrick and Max Lerner? Are these ones said 1% posts?

When the subs go private: what happens then?

How do the accounts correlate? There's one for 9CB9D65F54ED858A and one for A858DE45F56D9BC9. What is the meaning?

Why do you delete the content from time to time?

What do you think about our efforts in order to solve the mystery? Are you feeling threatend? Offended? Amused?

Why me? Am I on some sort of a distribution list? I'm not the tech geek here.

How much of our conversation do you want to be published on reddit? You are making me a secret carrier. As I've told you, I'm not bent on gaining internet fame - won't last long, just causes problems.

You said you'd be in trouble - and that "possibly cause the higher-ups to want to talk to you". Elaborate, please - especially the "talk to you" part. Is this a threat or a warning?

You may understand that I need a bit more than wishy-washy phrases. Please be honest and have integrity.

I haven't called out our exchange, so I guess that goes to show who and what I am.

If this is a game, just give me a clue. I like games and gambling, but have to understand the rules.

Thanks for the gold again. It's been very nice of you shelling out some bucks - please be aware that I'm not bribable. You are not dealing with some fly-by-night joker right now.

Image 7: A858DE45F56D9BC9 · MuonDragon

A858DE45F56D9BC9 (subject "MuonDragon", sent 1 year ago):

Hey,

I used to work with MuonDragon. He founded the Solving_A858 reddit.

About 3 months ago he left the company I worked with. Nobody knows where he went. He even left his apartment with all of his stuff.

I didn't know his family or anything, so I don't know if his disappearance is explained--but I noticed all of his reddit posts have been deleted back for several months.

Have you heard anything from him?

Just wondering. Seems odd.

Image 8: reply, header cropped

Sender not shown. The quoted lines match the questions in image 6, and the text continues the w95 reply in image 10.

How do the accounts correlate?

I do not operate the 9CB9 account, although it is part of the overall project. I do not communicate with the members of 9CB9. I was asked to make 9CB9 to moderators to the four reddits I created, and was made a moderator of 9CB9's reddit. I am free to post to 9CB9, as 9CB9 is free to post in A858.

Why do you delete the content from time to time?

There are phases to the project. When the phase ends, content is removed.

What do you think about our efforts in order to solve the mystery? Are you feeling threatend? Offended? Amused?

I'm doing my job. No one has ever indicated to me that they are concerned about the efforts of other redditors, and I have not been concerned until I accidentally contacted you. I have attempted to decrypt the posts made by other(s), and even using the tools I have available to me I have been unable to. I don't think they are worried.

Why me?

I contacted you because you are a mod in the Solving_A858 reddit and thought you might have contact with my former co-worker who created the reddit you mod. I could not locate him. I was concerned that I could not contact him.

I intended to contact you from a different account but didn't realize I was logged in as A858. That was a mistake. I am attempting to damage control that mistake.

You are the only user I contacted.

Although I have not made contact with MuonDragon, I have learned that he is no longer using Reddit, and has moved away. MuonDragon was not involved in this project, but I introduced it to him knowing his skill set and that he would be very interested in it.

Image 9: K to A858DE45F56D9BC9

To A858DE45F56D9BC9 (sent 1 year ago), signed by K:

Hello my friend (I hope you don't mind if I call you like that, but I've been thinking about you for many months, so here we are)!

As you might understand, I'm a bit excited right now. It's 9 am here on a Sunday morning and all of a sudden an internet mystery contacts me. I'll try to stay collected.

Of course I have a lot of questions. First of all I have to tell you that I have no idea where MuonDragon is or what he does. The last mail I got from him was about setting up another private sub in order to solve the secret...

I'd be glad if you tell me how to handle the situation - if I'm the only one you contacted, I promise to be discreet. I'm not eager for internet fame. I want to understand.

So let's do this nice and easy, right? I suggest we stay in contact if you want...

Thanks.

Yours sincerely, K

Image 10: w95 · re: Questions

From w95 (subject "re: Questions", sent 1 year ago):

Which purpose do these posts have

As I indicated previously, there are two sets of posts in A858. My job on this project is to post frequently, and regularly, and to create viewers to this reddit. I am encouraged to do anything that I think would draw attention to the reddit.

I do not know the purpose, content, or goal of the other set of posts that are made by other(s) in the project.

As part of our agreement on this project, I cannot discuss my company, or any other organization(s) involved in the project.

Are they illegal

I do nothing illegal, nor do I do anything that would violate the TOS for reddit. I have no reason to believe the other(s) do, either.

Our understanding with Reddit's admins is that as long as we operate within the TOS, we can continue to operate our project.

What about Stonehenge ...

I was responsible for these. They were done to create interest in the reddit, and as fun puzzles.

Image 11: w92 · That Reddit

From w92 (subject "That Reddit", sent 1 year ago), to "Mr. K":

A858 should not have contacted you. I thought I was messaging from another account. Oops. I apologize for having done that. Hopefully nobody will notice.

I strongly urge you not to let anyone know that A858 contacted you--because it will have negative repercussions on me, my job--and could possibly cause the higher-ups to want to talk to you. "Trade secrets" and all.

For what it's worth, I've been told of MuonDragon's present situation, so that's no longer a mystery to me.

I work for a private company and am responsible for about >99% of the content in A858, and most of it is posted automatically. <1% of the content is manually posted by someone else (that I don't know) and I don't know what its purpose is.

So if you want a challenge, look for the <1% that's different in some way.

Feel free to ask me any other questions, I'll answer what I can. I recommend you not message A858 again, since I'm not the only one who can read that.

Thanks for your discretion. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

To w92 (sent 1 year ago; sender not shown, by content K):

Hi there. First of all, thanks for the gold. As you might imagine, this is quite confusing. Would you like to talk? Still, I promise to be discreet.