Steganography
Hide Files and Text Messages in Carrier Files
The steganography module allows the hiding of text messages, files of any type, or both, in a 'carrier' file.
A carrier file is a file that performs a function in its own right and does not appear to be anything other than what it seems, for example a photograph or a sound file might be used as a carrier file.
Carrier files appear perfectly normal, they will display in image viewers or work in audio players, using the above examples. But they can also contain hidden information - other files and messages - that can be retrieved.
The QuickCrypto steganography function allows carrier files to be photographs, drawings, images (.jpg, .gif, .bmp file types) and sounds (.wav and .mp3 file types).
Any type of file can be hidden within these types of carrier files. Files and text to be hidden can easily be encrypted prior to hiding if required.
Hide Files in Folders
QuickCrypto also allows you to hide one or more files in a folder. This is not simple 'hidden attribute' file hiding, QuickCrypto file hiding physically moves the file but still keeps it associated to its original folder for recovery.
These files hidden within folders do not appear to normal Windows applications, including Windows Explorer.
More on Steganography ...
Steganography is the science of writing hidden messages in such a way that no one apart from the sender and intended recipient even realizes there is a hidden message.
Steganography complements Cryptography in that a hidden and encrypted message or file is most secure. Encrypting files prevents anyone reading or using the files without the correct Pass Phrase or Password.
However, encrypted files are obvious on a system. If someone is dedicated enough they may well eventually break the encryption by guessing the password.
However if you hide the files, most people will not even know they are there to try and decrypt. You can hide unencrypted or encrypted files the choice is yours.
How can I hide my Files using QuickCrypto?
- Hide files in amongst visible unhidden files in folders.
- No need to hide all files in a folder.
- Right-Click 'Send-To' option provided in Windows Explorer to hide a file, a number of files or all files in a folder.
- Hidden Files are not normally accessible by any user, even system administrators.
- Password protection against unauthorized users viewing hidden file locations and 'unhiding' files.
How do I Hide Files?
Select a file to hide from the QuickCrypto menu "Hide>Hide Files …". Once selected the file will be hidden.
To hide all files in a folder select a folder from the QuickCrypto menu "Hide>Hide Folder …". Once selected all files in the folder will be hidden.
Files can be hidden from within the QuickCrypto Explorer. Select a file and 'right-click', then select 'Hide/Unhide File'
Files can be hidden from within the Windows® Explorer®. Select a file and 'right-click', then select 'Send To' then 'Hide File'
How do I 'Unhide' Files?
Files can only be unhidden by using the QuickCrypto Explorer!
View hidden files by clicking "Options>Show Hidden Files" from the QuickCrypto Explorer menu. Any hidden files (encrypted or not) will be shown highlighted in red text with a red shield icon. To unhide the file, 'right-click' the hidden file and choose 'hide/unhide file' option.
Given their nature, hidden files can sometimes be tricky to locate! QuickCrypto Explorer now also lets you scan a full drive and will highlight all hidden files whichever folder they are hidden within.
NOTE - To password protect the displaying (of listing) of hidden files, tick the "The Default Password is Required to View Hidden Files" option box in the 'Further Options' menu. With this option enabled only those people who know the system default pass phrase will be able to view hidden files even with QuickCrypto Explorer.
Where are the Hidden Files?
The hidden files are still within the original folder but do not register with most normal Windows® software (e.g. Windows® Explorer® and most applications that process files)
CAUTION: Folders that have all files hidden ONLY APPEAR EMPTY.
If the 'empty' folder is deleted then so are the hidden files. It is usually prudent to leave at least one file unhidden in a folder with hidden files to help prevent accidental loss of files!
How can I Hide Text Messages?
Quick Crypto allows you to hide encrypted or unencrypted text messages in images. Below is an example of a picture with a hidden text message:
A perfectly innocuous picture? Nothing special about it? Well if you download QuickCrypto and copy the above image into the system, you will see that there is a lot of 'secret text' hidden in this image. Try it and see! Or if you can't wait, move further down this page for a screen shot of what will be revealed ...
QuickCrypto - Picture Image Steganography Screen Shots
QuickCrypto lets you hide text in pictures so that only other users of QuickCrypto (or QuickStego) can retrieve and read the hidden secret messages. Once text is hidden in an image the saved picture is still a 'picture', it will load just like any other image and appear as it did before.
The image can be saved, emailed, uploaded to the web (see the picture of the lady with a laptop above - this image has hidden text) as before, the only difference will be that it contains hidden text.
The larger the image, the more text that can be concealed within. QuickCrypto will tell you how many characters of text you must lose if you go over this limit per picture. In practice a lot of secret text can be hidden in even a small image.
QuickCrypto imperceptibly alters the pixels (individual picture elements) of the image, encoding the secret text by adding small variations in color to the image. In practice, to the human eye, these small differences do not appear to change the image.
(c) 2007 - 2010 QuickCrypto, a product from http://www.cybernescence.com/ Cybernescence - Suite 523, 6 Slington House, Rankine Road, Basingstoke, RG24 8PH, UNITED KINGDOM.
