Information Security News mailing list archives

Re: Unix Security - Steganography


From: Blake Thomas M Civ AFRL/IFGB <Thomas.Blake () RL AF MIL>
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2001 13:29:29 -0500

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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