What is Steganography in CyberSecurity?

When it comes to cybersecurity, passwords, firewalls, and encryption, unbeknownst to none, take centre stage. However, on top of all these known security tactics, there lies steganography, the practice of hiding information within digital formats, which can be equally effective. Unlike cryptography that scrambles messages, steganography hides them in plain view, so that their presence becomes almost indiscernible.

Since digital threats are getting smarter day by day, it is imperative that we know the value of Steganography in cybersecurity if we wish to shield our data and prevent it from breaches. Keep reading to get the hang of it, one key aspect at a time.

What is Steganography?

Steganography is the process of hiding sensitive information, including text, image, or code, within digital files like photos, music, or videos. This is made use of to ensure that no one discovers the fact that something secret has been hidden, let alone gains access to it wrongfully.

This is significantly different from cryptography, wherein messages are made unreadable to prevent them from being accessed unlawfully.

Steganography, however, is used for both privacy concerns and criminal purposes, making it a double-edged sword in the digital world. For instance, a seemingly harmless picture from your vacation has the potential to hold a hidden message or a malicious program

While cryptography encrypts the message, Steganography in cybersecurity focuses on hiding the existence of the message itself, making it harder to detect.

How Does Steganography Work?

The steganography process involves several steps…

• Choosing a Cover File: The cover file (such as an image, audio, or video) should be large and complex enough that people don’t suspect anything when they look at it. Images of high resolution and audio files that are longer than usual are often preferred.
• Embedding the Payload (Secret Data): Unique algorithms are used to put secret data into the cover file. In image steganography, for instance, data is hidden by changing the least significant bits (LSBs) of the pixel values. It’s done so subtly that you can’t tell anything in the file has changed by simply looking or listening.
• Creating the Stego File: The stego file, basically the file you get post-embedding of the payload, operates and appears just like other standard files. It can be shared through email, posted on websites, or transferred via messages without anyone noticing.
• Extracting the Hidden Data: The recipient uses the same algorithm, sometimes even a secret key, to extract the hidden information from the stego file.

Various Forms of Steganography Used in Cybersecurity

There are several types of steganography, each based on the kind of file or medium used to hide the information…

1. Text Steganography

Text steganography is when information is hidden within text files. Some of the most common methods of accomplishing this include adding extra spaces or tabs, using invisible Unicode characters, changing the structure of words or sentences, embedding messages in the first letter of each word or sentence so on and so forth.

2. Image Steganography

Image steganography is the most widely used technique. It attaches data to the image by changing the least significant bits (LSBs) in a pixel.

These adjustments are so small that you would never notice them, but they can store information, data, or, in some cases, even malware. Many times, in fact, hidden message images are used for secret communication or to put harmful code into your computer systems.

3. Audio Steganography

As the name suggests, audio steganography embeds information into audio files by modifying the digital audio signal or making changes that are inaudible to listeners.

4. Steganography

Video steganography is when data is hidden within video files, either in the video frames or audio tracks. Files can, in fact, store large amounts of information owing to their complexity and size.

5. Network Steganography

Network steganography is when data is hidden within network traffic. Common techniques include tweaking packet headers, altering data timing, or embedding messages within network traffic.

6. Other Media

Steganography can also be done using PDFs, executable files, or even QR codes. With technology evolving as each day passes, new types of steganography continue to emerge.

Steganography vs Obfuscation vs Cryptography

Understanding the distinctions between obfuscation, cryptography, and steganography is critical in cybersecurity. This, because each of these three techniques serve different purposes in protecting data. Here’s a tabular representation of the same for your convenience…

Feature	Steganography	Obfuscation	Cryptography
Purpose	Hiding the existence of a message	Making the code/data hard to interpret	Making data unreadable without a key
Visibility	It is hidden within ordinary files	It is visible but confusing	It is encrypted and visibly altered
Detection	Difficult, because the presence of message is concealed	Pretty obvious that the data is encrypted	Difficult, because the presence of the message is concealed
Key Requirement	Optional; can increase security	Not required	Essential
Example	Hidden message images	Obfuscated source code	Encrypted email

How Is Steganography Used in Cybersecurity?

Steganography in CyberSecurity offers multiple use cases, ranging from intellectual property protection to covert communication in restricted environments.

• Digital Watermarking: Steganography is used by photographers, artists, and media companies for digital watermarking. Basically, embedding copyright or ownership information into digital media. This, to protect their intellectual property and minimize attempts at piracy.
• Covert Communication: It is used by journalists, whistleblowers, or activists in oppressive regimes to communicate privately without drawing unnecessary attention. Information can be concealed in images or audio files that are shared publicly.
• Authentication & Integrity Verification: It is used to prevent identity theft by hiding data in documents and other media files, so that it is easier to tell if they are real or altered. For instance, a company might embed a hidden signature in a PDF to ensure it hasn’t been altered.
• Military & Intelligence Operations: Steganography is used by intelligence agencies to transmit highly sensitive information privately. This, so their mission plans or surveillance tactics don’t become public knowledge.
• Enhanced Data Protection: When combined with encryption, steganography adds a second layer of defence, making it tough for attackers to detect and grasp sensitive details.
• Bypass Censorship: In countries with strict censorship, it can be used to pass on important details by hiding messages in plain sight.

How Can Hackers Use Steganography to Deliver Attacks?

Regrettably, the qualities that make steganography useful for privacy can also make it a weapon of destruction for cybercriminals. Here are various ways in which steganography can be misused…

1. Concealing Malicious Payloads

Hackers sometimes sneak malware, ransomware, or instructions for attackers into images and audio files. These files can easily bypass traditional Cybersecurity software, endpoint security software, and even advanced network security solutions because they appear legitimate.

2. Data Exfiltration

If attackers gain access to a network, they could use steganography to extract and smuggle sensitive information out of an organization by placing it in simple files and distributing them through approved means.

3. Malware Communication

Some sophisticated malware families use steganography to receive updates or instructions from their operators. For example, a compromised system might periodically download images from a hacker-controlled website. The images contain hidden instructions for the malware.

4. Evasion of Detection

Since steganography hides data in plain sight, it can evade detection by most data security software and even advanced mobile security software.

5. Detecting & Mitigating Steganography-Based Threats

Detecting steganography is definitely challenging, but not impossible. Here are some best practices and tools that you can make use of to detect and mitigate steganography-based threats…

How to Detect Steganography Attacks?

• Statistical Analysis: By analyzing the statistical properties of files, such as pixel value distributions in images, you can spot anomalies that may indicate hidden data.
• Steganalysis Tools: Specialized tools like StegExpose, StegDetect, and StegSecret are programmed to scan files for signs of steganography, especially in images and audio files. So, make use of them if need be.
• Colour Spectrum & Metadata Inspection: If you examine the colour spectrum or metadata of images, irregularities suggesting steganographic manipulation might come to the fore.
• Network Monitoring: Advanced network security solutions can alert you against suspicious file transfers, especially if large or unusual files are being sent out of the organization.
• Behavioural Analysis: Monitoring user and system behaviour can also help detect attempts to hide or extract data using steganography.

What Are the Best Practices to Prevent Steganography Attacks?

• Deploy Advanced Security Solutions: Use endpoint security software, data security software, and network security software, for these tools are capable of scanning for steganographic content.
• Employee Training: Educate your staff about the risks of clicking on or opening unsolicited files, especially images or media from unknown sources.
• Restrict File Transfers: Limit the types and sizes of files that can be transferred within and outside your organization.
• Regular Updates: Keep all your cybersecurity software and detection tools up to date to recognize new steganography techniques.
• Incident Response Planning: Always have a plan in place to investigate and respond to suspected steganography-based attacks.

Conclusion

Steganography in cybersecurity is thus both a shield and a sword. It empowers privacy and intellectual property protection, but at the same time, enables cyberattacks. As image steganography and the likes become more prevalent, organizations must act and act quickly.

Investing in robust cybersecurity software can be a great start, followed by fostering a culture of security awareness and vigilance. This, so you can stay one step ahead in protecting sensitive information in this digital age