An Introduction to Steganography

 

Gary Kessler

 Computer & Digital Forensics Program

Champlain College

 

Date: Monday February 7, 2005

Time: 12:20 p.m. - 1:10 p.m.

Location: 367 Votey

 

 

Abstract

 

Steganography -- the art of hidden writing -- is a branch of cryptography that is becoming much more well-known. This lecture will define the role of steganography in covert communications, and will introduce basic terms and concepts. An overview of basic stego methods (e.g.,  least-significant bit overwriting, grammar-based stego, covert channels, and palette modification) will be presented, along with demonstrations of some widely-used stego tools (e.g., S-Tools, JP Hide-&-Seek, and Gif-It-Up) showing how various types of  files can be hidden inside image, audio, and executable files. Software used to detect steganography software and hidden content are also demonstrated.

 

(Joint work with Umut A. Acar and Guy E. Blelloch)