---
description: >-
  Learn about the basic encoding techniques that computers use to communicate
  across the internet.
---

# Case 1: Starting from the Basics

We've intercepted a long and strange message from a suspicious source. Could you attempt to decode it to see what it says?

**In the end, things like images and files are just information. A long block of text can be hiding a lot... What is this long string of base64 hiding?**

{% embed url="https://gist.github.com/emsesc/4e420ef518741a13498f6f94ddee1cac" %}
Try copying this base64 and figuring out what it hides!
{% endembed %}

{% embed url="https://base64.guru/converter/decode/image" %}

{% embed url="https://jamboard.google.com/d/1h8nMYecWSl8eXcXSlY8fQ0AAnD5TG8zbCycOB_nZ2tY/edit?usp=sharing" %}

### Tools to Use:

* [ ] Python
* [ ] `base64` package
* [ ] [CyberChef](https://gchq.github.io/CyberChef/)

## Activity

_After you finish experimenting with what binary, base64, hexadecimal, and octal all look like with Python print statements, play around with the website_ [_https://gchq.github.io/CyberChef/_](https://gchq.github.io/CyberChef/) _to try decoding the commented out message._

{% embed url="https://replit.com/@EmilyChen10/Encode-and-Encrypt" %}
