An In-Depth Review of Steganography: Methods, Uses, and Progress in Digital Security

Abstract

Communication is the foundation of development globally, with data networks requiring advanced security measures. The security and confidentiality of transmitted information over the internet, a conglomerate of interconnected, unmanaged networks, are crucial as data volumes grow. Cryptography and steganography are key techniques in ensuring data security, with cryptography encrypting data and steganography concealing it. Cryptography, while secure, can draw attention, leading to potential attacks. Steganography, however, embeds data within multimedia content, making it undetectable. This survey covers various steganography methods, illustrating their evolution from ancient techniques to modern digital applications. Steganography's core principles cover objects, secret messages, and keys ensure secure, hidden data transmission. Evaluating steganographic systems involves metrics like invisibility, security, and robustness. Advances in digital processing and encoding techniques continue to enhance steganography's effectiveness in secure data transfer across diverse media formats, making it an essential tool in modern information security.