Carrier file

What is a carrier file?

A carrier file is a file in which other files can be hidden.

What carrier file types does Steganos II Security Suite support?

Bitmap files (BMP, DIB). The bitmap files must be RGB encoded (compressed bitmaps are not supported). The pictures may vary from 16 colors (4 bit) to 16.7 M colors (24 bit). It is strongly recommended to use only 16.7 M color pictures. If you choose to use a 16 color or 256 color bitmap Steganos will ask whether to increase the bitmap's color depth to 16.7 M colors. It is less suspicious to hide data within 16.7 M color pictures so you should confirm the conversion. In addition to that the width (the horizontal resolution) of the picture must be dividable by 4. The carrier file wizard helps you finding appropriate carrier files and creating new pictures by using a scanner device.
Sound files (WAV, VOC) and all subformats. Sound files are ideal for hiding data within because the carrier file wizard can easily create very large files.
Text files (TXT, HTML, etc.). Although Steganos supports hiding data into text files (this includes HTML documents) this method is not recommended because it can be easily detected. Text files in Unix or Amiga format are not supported.

How to choose an appropriate carrier file?

The carrier file wizard makes finding carrier files easy. It automatically searches carrier files that have the capacity needed. But please note the following: Do not use files which are accessible to the public (pictures from popular CD-ROMs or web sites). By comparing the file containing hidden data with its unmodified original the existence of hidden data can be proven. Of course the data remains unreadable unless the correct password is entered.