Used to browse through different color planes of an image to find hidden text or QR codes.
Once opened, the archive usually contains images of cats. Analysts use several tools to find hidden data:
Based on the filename , this appears to be a reference to a Capture The Flag (CTF) or digital forensics challenge. In these contexts, "write-ups" explain how to extract hidden data or solve puzzles within the file.
Often, these files are password-protected. Common steps include: Checking the challenge description for clues.
Searching the binary data of the file for readable text.
Challenges named "cats 1," "cats 2," and "cats 3" often involve layers. You might find a password in the metadata of "cat1.jpg" that unlocks a hidden zip file inside "cat2.png," eventually leading to the final flag in "cats 3.rar." Alternative Context: Australian Military Slang
Running a tool like john (John the Ripper) or hashcat with a wordlist like rockyou.txt .