openstego

Steganography tool for hiding data within images

TLDR

Embed data in an image

$ openstego embed -mf [secret.txt] -cf [cover.png] -sf [output.png]

Extract hidden data from a stego image

$ openstego extract -sf [stego.png] -xd [output_dir]

Embed with encryption using a password

$ openstego embed -mf [secret.txt] -cf [cover.png] -sf [output.png] -e -p [password]

Extract with a password

$ openstego extract -sf [stego.png] -xd [output_dir] -p [password]

Generate a signature for watermarking

$ openstego gensig -gf [signature.sig] -p [password]

Verify watermark presence in an image

$ openstego checkmark -sf [image.png] -gf [signature.sig]

List supported steganography algorithms

$ openstego algorithms

OpenStego is a steganography tool for hiding data within images. It supports two main operations: data hiding (embedding secret messages in cover images) and digital watermarking (embedding and verifying invisible signatures). Messages can be optionally compressed and encrypted before embedding.

PARAMETERS

embed

Hide data in a cover image using steganography.

extract

Extract hidden data from a stego image.

gensig

Generate a signature file for watermarking.

embedmark

Embed a watermark into a cover file using a signature.

checkmark

Check for watermark presence in a stego file.

algorithms

Display supported steganography algorithms.

readformats

Display supported input image formats.

writeformats

Display supported output image formats.

-mf, --messagefile file

Message file to embed (reads from stdin if omitted).

-cf, --coverfile file

Cover image file (supports wildcards for multiple files).

-sf, --stegofile file

Stego file (output image for embed, input for extract/checkmark).

-gf, --sigfile file

Signature file for watermarking operations.

-xf, --extractfile file

Override the filename for extracted data.

-xd, --extractdir dir

Directory for extracted data (default: current directory).

-p, --password password

Password for encryption/decryption or signature generation.

-a, --algorithm name

Steganography algorithm to use.

-e, --encrypt

Enable encryption of the embedded message.

-E, --noencrypt

Disable encryption (default).

-c, --compress

Compress message before embedding (default).

-C, --nocompress

Skip compression of the message.

-A, --cryptalgo algorithm

Encryption algorithm (AES128 or AES256).

SUPPORTED FORMATS

$ Cover images: PNG, BMP, GIF, JPEG, WBMP

CAVEATS

Requires Java to run. Large messages need sufficiently large cover images. JPEG lossy compression may affect embedded data reliability; PNG is recommended. A GUI is also available.

HISTORY

OpenStego was created by Samir Vaidya as an open-source steganography application supporting multiple algorithms.