steganographer

A steganographer is an individual who practices steganography, the art and science of hiding information within other seemingly innocuous data. This hidden data is known as the payload, and the carrier data is called the cover medium. The goal of steganography is not to conceal the existence of the message, but rather to conceal the fact that a secret message is being sent.

The techniques employed by steganographers can vary widely. Historically, methods involved simple physical alterations, such as writing invisible ink between lines of text or microdotting documents. Modern steganography often utilizes digital methods, embedding data within image files, audio recordings, or video streams. This is achieved by subtly altering the least significant bits of the cover medium's data in a way that is imperceptible to the human eye or ear.

The motivations for practicing steganography are diverse. It can be used for legitimate purposes such as protecting sensitive corporate communications, ensuring privacy in online discussions, or embedding digital watermarks for copyright protection. However, steganography can also be employed for malicious intent, such as concealing malware, transmitting illicit communications, or facilitating espionage. The effectiveness of steganography relies on the subtle nature of the alterations and the ability to choose appropriate cover mediums that are unlikely to arouse suspicion.