Send Secret Messages in Pictures

Steganography: Concealing Messages Within Images

The practice of steganography, defined by Wikipedia as the art and science of concealing messages in a manner that avoids detection, has a long history.

Modern computing has made these techniques more accessible to a wider audience. It's now easier than ever to embed hidden information within digital images.

Applications of Hidden Messages

This capability opens up possibilities for creating engaging games and puzzles. Messages can be concealed within images on websites or blogs, inviting visitors to participate in a digital treasure hunt.

Previously, MakeUseOf featured desktop applications like a Windows client showcased by Tina and iSteg for Mac, as highlighted by Jackson, both serving the same purpose of message concealment.

Regardless of your operating system, a web-based tool from mozaiq now provides a convenient solution for hiding secret messages within images.

Mozaiq: A Web-Based Encryption Tool

Mozaiq primarily focuses on transforming images into mosaics. However, a dedicated subdirectory on their site offers the functionality to encrypt messages within image files.

The process is straightforward: upload an image, input your message, optionally provide a password for added security, and then download the modified image.

Using the Mozaiq Encryptor

Navigating to mozaiq.org/encrypt presents the necessary fields to initiate the encryption process.

The interface includes an introduction to steganography and a description of mozaiq’s encryption tool. The core functionality resides on the left side of the screen.

Select the image you wish to use for concealing your message. Ensure the file size remains under 128KB for compatibility.

After uploading the image, type the message you intend to hide within it.

For enhanced security, you can optionally set a password to protect the message's privacy before clicking the "Hide Your Message!" button.

Upon initiating the encryption, the modified image becomes available for download. Note that the download link is only active for five minutes, requiring immediate action.

Important Considerations

Avoid altering the downloaded file in any way, beyond simply renaming it. Actions like cropping, resizing, or converting the file format are prohibited.

Once downloaded, the image can be freely distributed and shared. Inform the recipient to visit mozaiq.org/decrypt to reveal the hidden message.

Testing the Encryption

Consider this example image:

Right-click and save the image of the cell phone, then proceed to the decryption page. The password is "hello," allowing you to experience the decryption process firsthand.

Discover the encrypted message – you may find it both insightful and unsurprising, as it's also visible in one of the preceding screenshots.