The Rise of Steganography
Alan Siper, Roger Farley, Craig Lombardo · 2005
Steganography comes from the Greek steganos (covered or secret) and -graphy (writing or drawing). Steganography can be defined as the hiding of information by embedding messages within other, seemingly harmless messages, graphics or sounds. The first steganographic technique was developed in ancient Greece around 440 B.C. The Greek ruler Histaeus employed an early version of steganography which involved: shaving the head of a slave, tattooing the message on the slaves scalp, waiting for the growth of hair to disclose the secret message, and sending the slave on his way to deliver the message. The recipient would have the slave’s head to uncover the message. The recipient would reply in the same form of steganography. In the same time period, another early form of steganography was employed. This method involved Demerstus, who wrote a message to the Spartans warning of eminent invasions from Xerxes. The message was carved on the wood of wax tablet, and then covered with a fresh layer of wax. This seemingly blank tablet was delivered with its hidden message successfully. Steganography continued development in the early 1600s as Sir Francis Bacon used a variation in type face to carry each bit of the encoding. Steganography continued over time to develop into new levels. During times of war steganography is used extensively. During the American Revolutionary War both the British and American forces used various forms of Invisible Inks. Invisible Ink involved common sources, this included milk, vinegar, fruit juice, and urine, for the hidden text. To decipher these hidden messages required light or heat. During World War II the Germans introduced microdots. The