July 15, 2020 14:25 pm

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CRYPTO AND CODING

Hide Data in Image, Audio and Video Files: Steganography

Hide data in audio video image files

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Ever wondered to know how to hide secret data in image, audio and video files? Well, in this post I will take you through a concept called steganography using which, it is possible to hide your secret information in image files, songs or any other file of your choice. At the end of this post, you can also download free stegnographic tools and start hiding your data.

What is Steganography?

Steganography is a means of obscuring data where secret messages are hidden inside computer files such as images, sound files, videos and even executable files so that, no one except the sender and the receiver will suspect the existence of stealth information in it. Steganography may also involve the usage of cryptography where the message is first encrypted before it is concealed in another file. Generally, the messages appear to be something else such as an image, sound or video so that the transfer of secret data remains unsuspected.

The main advantage of steganography over other methods such as cryptography is that, it will not arose suspicion even if the files fall in the hands of a third party. Unlike cryptographic messages, stegnographic messages will no way attract the attention of a third party by themselves. Thus stegnanography has an upper hand over cryptography as it involves both encryption and obscurity.

What are the Applications of Steganography?

Steganography is mainly used to obscure confidential information/data during storage or transmission. For example, one can hide a secret message in an audio file and send this to another party via email instead of sending the message in the textual format. The receiver on the other end will decrypt the hidden message using the private decryption key. In a worst case scenario, even if a third party does manage to gain access to the email, all he can find is the audio file and not the hidden data inside it. Other usage of steganography include digital watermarking of images for reasons such as copyright protection.

Even though steganography has many useful applications, some may use this technique for illegitimate purposes such as hiding a pornographic content in other large files. Rumors about terrorists using steganography for hiding and communicating their secret information and instructions are also reported. An article claiming that, al-Queda had used steganography to encode messages in images and transported them via e-mails, was reported by New York Times, in October 2001.

How do Steganography Tools Work?

Stegnography tools implement intelligent algorithms to carefully embed the encrypted text messages or data inside other larger files such as an image, audio, video or an executable file. Some tools will embed the encrypted data at the end of another file so that there will be enough room for storing larger data.

There are many steganography tools available online but only a few are able to work flawlessly. I did not find any tool that worked perfectly on both small and large data. However, I have  managed to develop my own tool that can work perfectly on all types of files and all size of data. The tool is called “Stego Magic“. You can download it from the following link.

Download StegoMagic.zip

The zip file contains two versions of Stego Magic: One for encrypting the text messages and the other for encrypting binary files. StegoMagic_TXT can be used to hide text messages in other files such as an image or a sound file. StegoMagic_BIN can be used to hide one binary file in another such as an executable file inside an image or an image inside a video file.

With Stego Magic, there is no limitation on the size and type of the file that you are intending to hide. For example, you can hide a video of size 1 GB in an image of size 1 MB or hide an executable file inside a WORD document. The tool is pretty straightforward to use and requires no special understanding of the concept.

At the end of the encryption process, a secret decryption key will be generated and the same is required during the decryption process.

How to Use Stego Magic?

Suppose you want to hide a text message inside a JPG file:

  1. Place the JPG and the text file (.txt) in the same folder as that of StegoMagic_TXT.exe
  2. Run StegoMagic_TXT.exe and follow the screen instructions to embed the text message inside the JPG image.

    Please note that if you’re using Windows 7/Vista, right-click the file and select “Run as Administrator”. Otherwise the tool may fail to work properly.
  3. Note down the secret decryption key.

Now you can send this image to your friend via email. To decrypt the hidden message, your friend should load this JPG file onto the Stego Magic tool and use the secret decryption key.

I hope you’ve now understood what is steganography and how to use it to hide your secret data. For queries and feedback, please pass your comments.

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Comments

    • @ fred{nigeria-esut}

      Yes there will be an increase in the size. But it doesn’t matter as this is inevitable…

    • @Srikanth

      Hi Srikanth, i’m really curious about something.. 🙂

      which one (LSB, algorithm & transformation, or spread spectrum) methode do U use for this software ?

  3. I embed video file into image after extract, i cannot open video file and the size is less than the original…why this happen??

  7. hey I really like your blog
    it has very much information that i like to use
    and you inspire me alot

  14. one question tutor

    After hiding a .JPEG in a .EXE file. Does the .EXE work ?

    Long time, i was waiting for a post.

    Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us

  17. wow I really like this post but two questions, If i hide a .exe file in a jpeg for example, will email clients still see that you are trying to send a .exe? and also may i distribute this program? I don’t see any licence information with it?

    • @ MiniMite

      Yes, you can hide an .exe file inside a .jpg and send it to anyone via email (email clients will not recognize this as an exe). I have tested this with gmail and it works fine. Regarding the license, you can share the tool with anyone as it is a freeware. Enjoy!!!

  22. Hi author,

    Really your site is excellent with great information.
    I’m very much thankful to you for providing useful articles. I have one query, Can you say me which programming language plays main role for hacking and developing an cracking software’s like Key Loggers etc. I wanted to know what are the basic things and programming languages that are to be known for an hacker. Also i wanted to learn about programming and all, so please suggest me which language shall i choose for developing my skills.
    Awaiting for your reply!

    Thank You.

    • @ susac

      1. Make sure the specified file is in the same directory (folder) in which your StegoMagic tool is present.
      2. See to that you have typed the exact name of the file along with the extension. Eg: Filename.exe, Filename.jpg etc.
      3. If you are using Win vista/7 make sure that you’re running SegoMagic tool with amdin rights.

      I hope this should solve your problem 🙂

  24. cool!! honestly i’ve been waiting for your new pots..
    i am really a fan of you man,..
    uhm..
    anyway. i’m encountering a roblem right now,
    i can’t dispose an autorun virus inmy flash disk,
    aside from formatting it, what else i can do??
    ..thanks!

  25. if i encrypt a .jpg file in a .mp3 file why dont i see the watermark of the image while the song is playing…

  26. I really Loved this Post. I Love You all the author and hackers, those who are posting on this portal.

  28. nice post shrikant….. I hv been waiting for ur post since long, finally you posted….. keep posting such nice articles!!!

    and sorry for my bad English…[email protected](^.^)@…..

  30. Wow, this is wonderful sir,kudos to you. Wel am a newbie to hacking, presently studying ethical hacking in d university, sir I wil realy nid ur help plsssss.

  32. hi

    i added an exe file to a jpg but it couldnt be run by double click on jpg? what is wrong with it ? did i have any mistake or it is impossible in this version ?

    with regrads
    anna

    • @ anna

      If you hide a jpg inside an exe, of course you can run the exe. But if you hide an exe inside a jpg why would it run like an executable? The file just acts as if it is an image until you decrypt and extract the hidden exe file inside it. I hope you got the idea!!

  34. nice post but can u tell me how we hide exe file in jpg file via command prompt or other….i tried but it dont work..

    • @ aaa

      You cannot do it using the command prompt. That is the reason why I have created this tool! 😉

  36. SRIKANTH SIR,
    I AM BIG FAN OF YOU,,,I LOVE THESE HACKING INFORMATION..THANK YOU FOR SUCH A GREAT HACKING INFORMATION..GREAT WORK ,,,,
    SOMETIMES,,I OPEN http://www.gohacking.com FEELS NERVOUS B’COZ OF NO UPDATION OF YOUR POST..BUT HEARTLY SAYING..HAPPY WHEN YOUR NEW POST ON MAIN PAGE..
    SO , KINDLY ACCEPT THIS REQUST FROM ALL TO UPDATE FASTLY THIS SITE…
    THANKING YOU..

  37. hey this tool is really too good yaar please can you give the source code… pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls…………

  38. stagomagic works on symmetric key cryptography…….
    bt it should use asymmetric keying system to be more secure ??
    bt the whole content ws gr888………..
    helped a lot gr88 job sir

  41. What if your program itself is injected with some codes that steal our information ? Never thought of that huh ?

  44. -i like your post ,really very informative..i want to know..
    1.Can we hide keylogger in image or video??
    2.if so ,will it run automatically if someone download it ??

  50. hi, gr8 Work friend.
    I have one command line method to add txt file into image.check this out

    c:\stago> copy /B source.gif+source.zip target.gif

    source.gif and source.zip should be in the same directory..
    But I don’t know how to extract it to get zip file back…
    Can you please tell me?

  52. hi sir..
    am doin project on audio steganography and video steganography..
    will you please help me out with the source codes..
    plzzz..

  53. hi nice post but one question if you hide a 1gb file like a video in a 500 kb image and when you are uploading that file wouldn’t it take a lot of time?

  55. If in case the unauthorized person comes to know about the password, then can we change the password of the same file?
    If yes, how?
    If no, then please add the feature to change the password with some security measure in the softwares.

    THANKS for consideration.!!

  56. hey i love this tutorial very much because it works….
    thnks alot and please create some more of this kind…

  58. Hey sirikant i love your site there is alot to learn from this site. i had always wanted to become a hacker but never found any help i really appericiate you.As you told to become a hacker we mus first buy the hackers underground hackbook, i have installed that book from inter net i just wanted to confirm that if i had installed the right book so i am postin some of its table of contents below. sorry to comment in this article but there is a problem iam not able to comment on your other articles plz tell me hw.

    A. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………….5
    1. How can I use this eBook?
    2. What is a hacker
    3. Hacker Hierarchy
    4. What does it take to become a hacker?
    5. Disclaimer
    B. Programming………………………………………………………………………………..9
    1. Do I really need it?
    2. Where should I start?
    3. Best way to learn
    C. Linux………………………………………………………………………………………….12
    1. What is it?
    2. Choosing a distribution
    3. Running Linux
    4. Learning Linux
    D. Passwords…………………………………………………………………………………..33
    1. Password Cracking
    2. Phishing
    3. Countermeasures
    4. More Programs

  61. Hi Srikanth! I used to do this for injecting files in image:
    Put the file(s) you wish to inject in .jpg file in same folder. (also put the .jpg in same folder).

    Put the Files to be injected in winrar archive. Now we have 2 files, .jpg file and .rar file

    In command prompt, locate the folder and type:

    “copy /b filename.jpg filename.rar” (ofcourse without quotes)

    And now the new file that is created will act as .jpg or image file.

    But i guess thats of very low level haha..
    Do you think we can send .exe files via email by my method?

  65. sir i am doing engineer from it branch ireally love you practical utilisation of knowledge

    i wish our teachers could also think like you……

  66. Srikanth, you are the bomb, i tried it and it work perfectly. you are my mentor. pls keep up the good work. You totally Rock.

  68. buddy u did a gud job..but it only helpful to secure text file or any small file..if u notice, u will see tht when we try to embed a mp3 file into txt file then it will work successfully but if u try to decrypt it, it will generate text file not the mp3 file..if m wrong then give me solution..

  70. please,i can’t really mke it work. can you provide a video tutorial or pictures for instructions. i would really appreciate if you would do that. by the way, thanks in advance.

    • Is you follow each steps carefully, it should work without any problem. I will also try to include a video for this post in the next few days.

  71. hello srikanth

    can u tell how can we run the hidden file along with the visible file..?
    (Suppose the hidden file is a .exe file and i want to run it when the visible file is opened)

  72. sir i will be more happy if you will tell me about a decompiler that can decompile , .exe to .c or .cpp respectively!!!!
    i for get the coding of my own program and i forget can u plz!!!!!!

  75. hi srikanth,

    Excellent program.

    I have doubt . After hiding the file “B” in file “A” , file “A” size changed. Now i can retrieve file “B” as per your procedure . But can i retrieve the file “A” back to its original form.

    • I personally consider the File “A” as a dummy file just to conceal the identity of the File “B” hidden inside it. So I did not bother much about what is going to happen to it’s size. However, it is still possible to retrieve the File “A” back in it’s original size but I have to include a separate module for that inside my program. So with my current program that is not possible.

  76. hii sir,i have a problem when i run this tool it shows 3 option and enter ur choice..
    but when i try to do,it cann’t accept anything.what should i do?
    plz tel me

  80. i have been reading your post from a long time they are good enough and upto the point they are all truth not fake one like others
    keep on goin sir.

    but i have a question regarding to internet download manager i hv done a sort of thing to get it for full but it was not fruit full
    i request u sir if u have any solution regarding with this problem please do a reply or post a blog for it
    i am waiting for your reply i hope u will:-)
    ………………..

  82. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more
    than just your articles? I mean, what you say is important and all.
    However just imagine if you added some great graphics
    or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and clips,
    this blog could certainly be one of the greatest in its field.
    Very good blog!

  83. hi my friend…thanks for your effort for developing this blog and providing useful information to your friends…
    but i hace a question
    did anyone can find that a imah ( jpg) has a txt file inside it ?? how can i explore that ? if i send an email that contain a txt file inside a jpg file can they notice that or if they suspect can they check the file and how and with what tool ?
    thanks a lot again bro

    • It’s not easily possible as the data inside is encrypted. In fact, most email providers like Gmail and Yahoo fail to detect it. So, you can easily transfer an exe file inside a jpg file via gmail using this trick.

  84. Appreciating the persistence you put into your website
    and in depth information you present. It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed material.

    Excellent read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including
    your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  85. hi sir,
    i have been following all of the instruction exactly as you told but it always gives me an of invalid file/error opening the file specified when i try to embed a txt file into jpg, what could be the problem?

    • 1. Make sure all the files are in the same folder as that of the “StegoMagic” tool.

      2. Make sure that you are typing the filename along with its extension. For example: image.jpg and not just image.

  86. after i encrypt the exe extension file or video file the dicrypted files won’t work(no use) and it is not because i get the password wrong i insert it as it is. please help it work correctly on the txt files.thanks!!!!!!!!!

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