Warning: do not attempt to research this topic unless you have the necessary software to protect yourself. The exterior of the dark web is “harmless” enough. It’s when you start digging deeper that you need to be extremely careful.
While the Dark Fantasy Network is practically unheard of, Cicada 3301 is a different story. In January 2012, an anonymous poster uploaded an image on the infamous forum 4Chan. It read:
“Hello. We are looking for highly intelligent individuals. To find them, we have devised a test. There is a message hidden in this image. Find it, and it will lead you on the road to finding us. We look forward to meeting the few that will make it all the way through. Good luck. 3301 –”
Over the last five years, Cicada 3301 has come out with similar puzzles during their recruitment process. Although there are still shrouds of mystery surrounding the group, internet detectives recently made a mind-blowing connection. Cicada 3301 member V3RDAD (and most likely others) are directly involved in the Dark Fantasy Network’s exposure.
When January came this year, Cicada 3301 stayed silent. In April, they released a PGP signed message. The recent discovery of the connection between Cicada 3301 and the Dark Fantasy Network is unsettling. This is even more so with Cicada 3301’s lack of recruitment this year.
The biggest question with the Dark Fantasy Network has always been on the existence of the unusual domains (.loky, .clos, .dafy, .taur). Most people will say they’re rubbish. Cicada 3301 on the other hand is not only realistic to many, but it’s also an event people look forward to and participate in.
Could Cicada 3301’s lack of recruitment this year have anything to do with the Dark Fantasy Network’s sudden re-exposure?
They are both somehow connected. This could mean both are simply urban myth. This could also mean that both hold some semblance of truth.
As Cicada 3301 member and Dark Fantasy Network supporter V3RDAD writes,
“The whole truth is often hidden from view.”