OpenStego

OpenStego is a free program that converts images folders and files to keep your documents protected. If you think that the camouflage is not enough you can also add a password to be safer.


The final product is shown as a simple picture, usually an image in BMP format, when in fact it is hiding a folder or file. Still there are curious users and it is better to ensure and add a password to the file.


This application is very easy to use and effective. It is developed in Java, so you do not need to install it. It also supports plug-ins or add-ons for steganographic algorithms.

Steganography is the science that combines several techniques to send and hide information. It is safer protecting the information with other methods since at first sight you can't see the original message. You can differentiate several terms that will help you understand the operation:

• 'Stegotext' Final product or data generated after incorporating the ciphertext in the 'covertext' or container.


• 'Ciphertext' or encode message: original message encrypted.
• 'Plaintext' or text: Original message to camouflage.
• 'Covertext': Document used as encoded text container, like for example an image.

Once it has been explained how protect files, just adding that the receiver will need to extract the message using OpenStego and must be knowledgeable of the password chosen by the issuer.