Steganography is the act of concealing Data within a digital or physical carrier objects (e.g image, audio, video, human or text) to obscure the existence of the real data except for the intended recipient to know.
This concept has been in practice for ages. In ancient times, confidential messages can be delivered by scrapping the hairs of errand servants and messages written on their bare heads. Once their hairs grow to cover the writings, they are sent off to the recipient(s) where the hairs are shaved again to reveal the messages. This is steganography with physical / human carrier.
Modern or digital Steganography involves concealing data inside innocuous files like image, audio and or video. Threat actors and cyber espionage use this concept to carry out their secret acts and communication.
Steganography process alone can be easily deciphered with requisite tools. But when combined with modern encryption technology, extra data secrecy and protection can be achieved.
Malicious attackers use steganography for different types of activities such as embedding malicious scripts within macro-enable documents, movies, images and audio. Once such files are opened the real attack is executed, and can result in files being encrypted for ransom, backdoors installation or dangerous malware taking hold of the affected device.
Not every free Wi-Fi is free indeed
Not every Audio file contains only Audio
Not every Image file contains only Image
Not every Movie file contains only Movie
Scan and evaluate files sources before opening them. Think twice and remain safe
Thanks