Steganography

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Computing Theory Assignment 3 Research Paper � PAGE �2�

Steganography

Steganography Research

Author:

Hubert (0807R68878)

Raymond Jonathan (0807R67731)

Course: Computer Science

Subject: Computing Theory

Lecturer: Ms. Rohini Balapumi

Why Steganography:

The authors find the art of Steganography is interesting and even might be very dangerous if used by secret organizations to pass their message online. The authors hope by doing the research of Steganography, more people will aware of the existence of steganography�.

Introduction

Steganography is the art and science of writing hidden messages in such a way that no one, apart from the sender and intended recipient, suspects the existence of the message, a form of security through obscurity. The word steganography is of Greek origin and means "concealed writing" from the Greek words steganos meaning "covered or protected", and graphein meaning "to write". The key concept behind steganography is that the message to be transmitted is not detectable to the casual eye.

In fact, people who are not intended to be the recipients of the message should not even suspect that a hidden message exists.

History of Steganography

The first recorded uses of steganography can be traced back to 440 BC when Herodotus mentions two examples of steganography in The Histories of Herodotus . Demaratus sent a warning about a forthcoming attack to Greece by writing it directly on the wooden backing of a wax tablet before applying its beeswax surface. Wax tablets were in common use back then as reusable writing surfaces, sometimes used for shorthand.

Another ancient example is that of Histiaeus, who shaved the head of his most trusted slave and tattooed a message on it. After his hair had grown the message was hidden. The purpose was to instigate a revolt against the Persians.

The first recorded use of the term...