What is Steganography?

Steganography, derived from the Greek words “steganos” meaning “covered” and “graphy” meaning “writing,” is the art and science of concealing information within other non-secret data. Unlike cryptography, which focuses on encrypting messages to make them unintelligible to unauthorized parties, steganography aims to hide the existence of the message itself. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the intricacies of steganography, exploring its working principles, various types, applications, and its relationship with cryptography and emerging technologies like NFTs.

What is Steganography?

Steganography involves embedding secret messages or data within seemingly innocuous carriers such as text, images, audio, video, or even network protocols. The primary objective is to ensure that the hidden information remains undetectable to anyone unaware of its presence. Historically, steganography has been utilized in espionage, warfare, and covert communication, dating back to ancient civilizations where messages were concealed within wax tablets or tattooed on messengers’ scalps.

How Steganography Works

The process of steganography typically involves three main steps: embedding, encoding, and extraction. During embedding, the secret message is integrated into the carrier medium using various techniques…