The present paper proposes a new and systematic approach to the so-called black box group methods in computational group theory. Instead of a single black box, we consider categories of black boxes and their morphisms. This makes new classes of black box problems accessible. For example, we can enrich black box groups by actions of outer automorphisms.

As an example of application of this technique, we construct Frobenius maps on black box groups of untwisted Lie type in odd characteristic (Section 6) and inverse-transpose automorphisms on black box groups encrypting (P)SLn (Fq ).

One of the advantages of our approach is that it allows us to work in black box groups over finite fields of big characteristic. Another advantage is explanatory power of our methods; as an example, we explain Kantor’s and Kassabov’s construction of an involution in black box groups encrypting SL2 (2n ).

Due to the nature of our work we also have to discuss a few methodological issues of the black box group theory.