The designation refers to a way of concealing data inside seemingly innocuous knowledge. As an example, directions could be embedded inside picture pixels, audio frequencies, and even textual content formatting that may be undetectable to informal statement. This contrasts with easy encryption by aiming for outright invisibility of the hid knowledge. An instance contains steganography the place a secret message is encoded throughout the least important bits of a picture file, leading to negligible visible distortion.
The strategy provides benefits in situations demanding covert communication or knowledge safety. It avoids drawing suspicion in environments the place encrypted messages may entice undesirable consideration. Its worth lies within the capacity to take care of secrecy by concealing the very existence of the delicate knowledge. Traditionally, strategies like this have been employed in espionage, mental property safety, and even to bypass censorship in restricted communication environments.