if you need to decrypt the footer then use a base64 decrypt program, alternatively reconstruct the footer until you get what you want. However most free themes only have 1 or 2 links and this should be ok to leave in, the only real reason to edit the footer would be to add in one or two of your own links. I always leave the designers lins in even if it has been majorly modified as they have taken the time to make the them and make it available
That's the reason why designers encrypt footer links to protect their rights. I'm one of WP Theme designers and i'm disappointed with this If you do not want the links, use another theme instead. If you insist using the theme and remove the links, you will be under violation, and the wp theme author along with the link those belongs to could file a DMCA complaint(or whatever) against you
Of course then we'll see Matt with one of his "All derivative works of a GPL project are also under the GPL" and wonder why you're running an illegal business. He's done it before.
You can remove those links in the following way.... Go to your themes package>> your theme>> footer.php Find some thing like <a href="http://www.xxxxxxxxx.com">designed by prowebweaver.com</a> remove the xxxxxxxx.com and replace with your choice of website. If you have any doubts regarding this. Please PM me
No offense but you have noted that the poster has stated that the footer is encrypted and those links are not found, right?