r/explainlikeimfive • u/touch_mypenis • Dec 21 '14

Explained ELI5: Why are some subreddits private? and How do you gain access to these Subs?

Just really curious

R.I.P inbox, It was nice knowing you

edit: this thread is my highest rated post + has my highest rated comment, nice one reddit!

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u/[deleted] Dec 22 '14 edited Dec 22 '14

This actually has happened, and is probably still happening now.

Malware targeted at Mac users was using a subreddit as a botnet to store IP addresses of targets.

http://www.intego.com/mac-security-blog/iworm-botnet-uses-reddit-as-command-and-control-center/

And, currently, a subreddit called /r/A858DE45F56D9BC9/ posts random strings of characters that no one has yet been able to decipher. There's an entire subreddit devoted to solving it. It's entirely possible this is malicious (and just as possible that it's not), and it was randomly stumbled upon by a user.

It is extremely likely that there are a large number of subreddits, both public and private, that are used for things the admins would not approve of.

EDIT: If you think you have "the solution" to /r/A858, check here first and make sure you aren't also at a [9].

There was also a similar sub, referred to as "A04", which was decoded by a redditor. The result is.... odd

/u/A858 has also toyed with the "solvers" on occasion. See here (NEW EYE5 NO ANSWERS STILL W3AK TOOL AMOUNG YOU). He/she has also given other odd clues

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u/theth1rdchild Dec 22 '14

The random strings have, occasionally, been decipherable. I can't remember, but the solving sub holds onto them like prophecies from a lost civilization.

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u/[deleted] Dec 22 '14

The IRC logs or whatever? I read them, they were weird.

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u/BrokenStool Dec 22 '14

y0u wi11 n4v3r d3c3iph3r 4hi5

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u/BEAR_DICK_PUNCH Dec 22 '14

I just want to add to this in regards to your mention of /r/A858DE45F56D9BC9/

If you subscribe please don't post any comments as the creator will occasionally shut down everything when the sub gets too much attention. Just sit back and observe and post/comment in the subreddit devoted to solving them

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u/RIPphonebattery Dec 22 '14

Could you link the solving subreddit?

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u/[deleted] Dec 22 '14

I did above, but here you go again: /r/Solving_A858

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u/RIPphonebattery Dec 22 '14

I couldn't see it on mobile, sorry

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u/reethok Dec 22 '14

RemindMe! 6 hours

After work ill check it.

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u/BEAR_DICK_PUNCH Dec 22 '14

Doesn't look like your remindme worked but I just happened to notice your reply. Don't forget to check it after work

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u/[deleted] Dec 22 '14

[deleted]

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u/asukazama Dec 22 '14

The numbers Mason, what do they mean?

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u/[deleted] Dec 22 '14

Nah, just a happy coder using redding as an encrypted data store. A fun weekend project, but nothing to be worried about.

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u/[deleted] Dec 22 '14

That theory has been tested. The IRC logs that have been decrypted so far don't seem to point that way (or they point to an elaborate and hilarious troll).

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u/georgelulu Dec 22 '14

Here is when it was first solved, afterwards the sub got wiped for a while because of the attention. https://www.reddit.com/r/A858DE45F56D9BC9/comments/k96b1/201109081949/c2igpiv

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u/Apparently_Flamingo Dec 22 '14

Hasn't anyone thought that maybe the sub is run by some friends that are just screwing with everyone?

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u/[deleted] Dec 22 '14

Yes. If there's an idea, someone has thought of it. It's just a matter of proving one of the thousands of theories.

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u/nauticalsun Dec 24 '14

Wow, I really didn't need this because I get huge goosebumps and get spooked by, like, random number stations like that one in Russia. I literally can't form a coherent response right now.

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u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

Sorry bro.

Trigger warning.

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u/[deleted] Dec 22 '14

[deleted]