Can this be decrypted using a simple ASCII conversion?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decryption of a text file containing seemingly random characters. Participants explore various methods and theories regarding the encryption used, including potential connections to the cicada3301 mystery and the suitability of different encoding schemes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the text may involve pseudo random encryption and seeks hints for decryption.
  • Another participant proposes that converting the text to hex or decimal might reveal a discernible pattern, linking it to the cicada3301 mystery.
  • A participant mentions the importance of the message length in relation to the encoding scheme, indicating that the provided text may be too short for certain methods.
  • There is a suggestion that the text could be a trivial trick, potentially simpler than pseudo random encryption, and that it resembles 16-bit UNICODE, prompting a consideration of displaying the binary sequence as 8-bit ASCII.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of the encryption, with some suggesting it may be simple while others consider it could be more complex. No consensus is reached regarding the specific method of decryption.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the potential limitations of the text's length and the encoding scheme, which may affect the decryption process. There is also mention of the need for appropriate software tools for analysis.

Tech2025
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Hi, I am trying to decrypt something in a .txt file as a challenge from a friend, the file contains:

pÿd“ÙÃÊÌßéh'rv‹"^÷ù O˜w؉D•ÍúúYíY’ ∞¶iÀªÆzI¥r=«Å∑F¸¡„;≥ûü¸ã7∂.ˆ– ã<¿µD~’ÅsG›îwA_4Gå#›¥’6ª˝_ÎaÍÑjù]ÚU3Y{äF-Ê#i 33(›öR `?™|¸ ®flîè+zÂ√œ/fiãìR˛˙˚∂ZëìƺΩÒ†»˘∂®∑‘¬z vóR◊r∂Øûp)E ·°vÅQ’»<Ø^ÃH‘xïÄ=∂Ë\⁄oYh◊¥h$f)

I think it is Pseudo Random encryption? Can someone give hints on how to decrypt this?
 
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No I don't. People try the tricks of the trade to solve these things. One thing is that the message must be long enough relative to the encoding scheme.

If you have access to Linux or MacOSX or an editor that can display HEX you could use that to look at the digital representation.
 
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jedishrfu said:
One thing is that the message must be long enough relative to the encoding scheme.

That's very true, and that text is very short. My guess is that it is a trivial trick, much simpler than pseudo random encryption.

For example, the text looks like the 16 bit UNICODE, what happens if you display the same binary sequence as 8 bit ASCII?
 
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