This challenge, to this point, has involved what I would consider an entry to mid level understanding of number systems, cryptographic concepts, and general information security tomfoolery. :-) If you have not been exposed to any computer science or computer engineering, there is no shame in being confused! Even if you have experience, these types of challenges are creative thinking puzzles; they don't REALLY test your aptitude but instead your determination. I've help run some "cyber capture the flag" games in the past, which is basically creating a set of challenges like this and letting teams battle to solve them. I would not have expected to start working on this; it was pure chance that I read the mail sack and decided to give it a shot!