Steganalysis: Detecting hidden information with computer forensic analysis

With the wide use and abundance of steganography tools on the Internet, law enforcement authorities have concerns in the trafficking of illicit material through web page images, audio, and other files. Methods of detecting hidden information and understanding the overall structure of this technology is crucial in uncovering these activities. Digital image steganography is growing in use and application. In areas where cryptography and strong encryption are being outlawed [1], people are using steganography to avoid these policies and to send these messages secretly. In this paper I shall give a brief definition of steganography and steganalysis in general to provide a good understanding of these two terms, but more importantly, I shall talk about how to detect the existence of hidden information such as innocent looking carriers of digital media like text, JPEG images, and MP3 audio files with the help of various tools.