Anyone know what steganography is all about? well for those who don't read on :-) steganography allows one to conceal a file, or set of files within a standard computer image, be it a tif, jpeg, gif or whatever. Ideally, the image remains unchanged to the viewer and in some/many instances, the picture may even be the same size as before the data was included. We're not talking about exif data here, or superfluous PS rubbish, but whole files can be embedded for the purpose of moving data around without anyone being aware that they're seeing anything but a picture. Some of the programs allow data to be password encrypted to prevent unauthorised access to their data while others permit ready access to the data by anyone holding the appropriate tools. Why do I think this is worth sharing? Well, lets say one of your encounter one of your images on the web being used in an authorised fashion - how do you prove it's yours? Watermarks can so easily be removed, so why not be clever and DON'T include watermarks .. making it less likely the image will be altered... and instead use a steganography program to embed a small text file your name, telephone number and details about the image in it! Catch the thief using your image and with one quick sweep of the appropriate program, prove for sure that it's your image :-) ..and here's a link to a page of steganography programs available for downloading http://www.cotse.com/tools/stega.htm have fun! karl
