Information Security News: Re: Unix Security - Steganography

[Blake Thomas M Civ AFRL/IFGB <Thomas.Blake () RL AF MIL>]

Hmmm...just FUD?  I'm really starting to wonder about the stego area.  The
Mar 01 On Magazine article has at least a little detail on steganography.
These tools are readily and cheaply available, yet Demcon has sold 100,000
copies of Steganos Security Suite.  I can't buy too far into the idea that
they are used for privacy/security alone.  If I need privacy, encryption
accomplishes that. Are they all engaging in kiddie porn? Probably not.  Is
it a big problem now?  Probably not.  Potential?  Seems like it to me...but
then I'm always looking behind me when I walk down a street.
Tom (can't have too much paranoia) Blake


> Sex, Drugs & Technology
> By Carole Fennelly
> Once upon a time, Rock music was blamed for society's ills. People
> were warned about hidden messages in The Beatles' songs. Although I
.
.
.

> Yet another story claims these tech-savvy terrorists use
> steganography, as well as cryptography, to hide their secret messages.
> Steganography is based on the notion of communicating without the
> communication being noticeable. The Greeks practiced steganography by
> writing messages on couriers' heads. People who intercepted the
> couriers, unable to find any messages in their possession, let them
> pass.  The receiving General, however, knew where to look. Presumably,
> terrorists are embedding their encrypted data in pornographic files
> (those immoral terrorists), which are then extracted and deciphered by
> the intended recipients. Despite vague references to "unnamed" sources
> and "closed door" meetings, no one has made *any* evidence supporting
> these claims publicly available. Strangely enough though, the same
> computer security company is heavily quoted in both stories.
> technology.
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