Hermetic Stego is a steganography program which allows you to encrypt and hide the contents of any data file in another file so that the addition of the data to the container file will not noticeably change the appearance of that file. If the file which has been hidden is deleted then there is no indication that it even exists, but it can still be recovered when you need to get at it. The program inserts data in the image file in a pseudo-random way depending on a password, and changes other bits of the image file to compensate for the modifications induced by the hidden data so as to avoid modifying statistical properties of the image file. It is thus much more secure than most steganography programs. This program allows hiding a file of any size in one or more BMP image files, with or without the use of a user-specified stego/encryption key, so that (i) the presence of the hidden file is undetectable (even by forensic software using statistical methods) and (ii) if a user-specified stego key is used then the hidden file can be extracted only by someone, using this software, who knows that stego key. Hermetic Stego allows (i) hiding a message file in single BMP image file or in a set of BMP images and (ii) extracting a message file from a single BMP image file or a set of them. This program differs from others of this sort in two respects: 1. There is no limit on the size of the data file to be hidden because Hermetic Stego can hide a data file, not just in a single BMP image file, but in a set of them -- as many images as needed to contain the data file. 2. The bits of the data are inserted into the bytes of the image files randomly and in such a way as to defeat the use of statistical tests to reveal the presence of a hidden message. 3. The program can be used with a user-specified stego key or with a default stego key; use of a default stego key allows sending hidden data to another person who does not know what that stego key is.
VERSION HISTORY
- Version 9.49 posted on 2013-01-10
Fixed bug re selection of first input image file - Version 6.77 posted on 2007-03-30
Minor improvements.
Program Details
- Category: Security & Privacy > Encryption Tools
- Publisher: Hermetic Systems
- License: Free Trial
- Price: $29.75
- Version: 9.49
- Platform: windows
EULA
'Hermetic Systems' is the business name of Peter Meyer, [email protected], the developer of this software, and the owner and maintainer of the 'Hermetic Systems' website. The 'Hermetic Stego' software ("the Software") consists of the executable file and the other files installed by the installation program hst_setup.exe obtainable from the 'Hermetic Systems' website (including any future versions). The Software is protected by copyright, which is owned by Hermetic Systems. The Software may be downloaded from the 'Hermetic Systems' website or another authorized download site solely for the purpose of its evaluation with regard to the purchase of a user license. Neither the installation program nor any work derived from it may be distributed further by any means (including via CD or the web) without the permission of the copyright holder. All intellectual property rights related to the Software are owned by Hermetic Systems. You may not rent or lease the Software. You may not modify, translate, reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble the Software or any part thereof or otherwise attempt to derive source code or create derivative works therefrom. You may not remove, alter or destroy any proprietary, trademark or copyright markings or notices contained within the Software. You may not sell or offer for sale any derivative work. Any rights not explicitly granted by Hermetic Systems are reserved. In return for a license fee paid to Hermetic Systems or to one of its authorized representatives or resellers you are granted a license to use the Software in its fully-functional form and you are provided with activation keys for each installation of the Software as follows: (A) If you are a natural person then you receive a single-user license and this entitles you to install, activate and use the Software on a reasonable number of personal computers (e.g., a laptop and a desktop) in your private household or office. (B) If you are an entity other than a natural person (e.g., a corporation) then you are required to purchase a single-user license for each PC on which the software will be made available for use. The function of an activation key is to remove any temporal or functional limitations on a particular installation of the Software. A separate activation key is required for each installation (in other words, an activation key works only on a particular computer). For some programs there are three types of user license: 3-month, 1-year and time-unlimited (a 'perpetual' license). 3-month and 1-year licenses allow use of the software for the stated period beginning on the date of purchase of the license. At the termination of the license period the software will revert to a functionally limited 'demo' version. It may be reactivated by purchasing a new license. In the event that a later version of the software is released, you may update an installation at no charge by downloading and installing the new version. If you change your computer (or make a major hardware modification) you may need to obtain a new activation key. This can be obtained in the same way as before (and at no charge), provided that, in the opinion of Hermetic Systems, the number and frequency of such new activation keys is not unreasonably excessive. A user license is not transferable. Installation of the Software constitutes an agreement that the Software is provided "as is", without any warranties or guarantees. Hermetic Systems makes every effort to ensure that the software is error-free and performs as stated in the online user manual, but does not guarantee this. You assume responsibility for selecting the Software and using it for your intended purposes. In no event shall Hermetic Systems, its resellers or distributors of the Software be liable for any any damages whatsoever arising out of use or inability to use the Software, even if advised of the possibiity of such damages. Note that Hermetic Stego employs encryption and allows use of a 'stego key', which is an encryption key. Data encrypted using Hermetic Stego cannot be decrypted without knowledge of the key which was used to encrypt the data. Hermetic Stego has no 'back door'. The encryption key is not concealed in the stego images or anywhere else. If the key is lost or is unavailable then there is no way known to recover the encrypted data. This software must be used with due attention to this warning. Hermetic Systems will not be responsible for damages of any kind arising from loss of data resulting from forgetting or losing stego keys. Encrypting information is like using a padlock to lock a box -- when encrypting data always make sure that you can find the key when you need it.