Skip to content

DCT coefficient embedding

Definition

A steganographic technique that hides data in the quantised discrete cosine transform coefficients of a JPEG image after compression. Because the embedding operates on the compressed data rather than the pixel values, the hidden data survives JPEG re-saving.

Related terms

Cover medium
The original, unmodified carrier file (image, audio, video, or document) into which secret data will be embedded. The cover medium is chosen...
LSB substitution
Least-significant-bit substitution: the lowest-order bit of each sample value (pixel colour channel or audio sample) is overwritten with one bit of the...
Spread-spectrum embedding
A technique that distributes the energy of the hidden message across many frequency components at very low amplitude, similar to a wideband...
Steganalysis
The forensic discipline of detecting the presence of hidden data in a carrier file. Steganalysis uses statistical tests (chi-squared, RS analysis, sample...
Stego object
The modified carrier file containing the embedded secret data. A stego object should be visually or audibly indistinguishable from the cover medium,...

Explained in

Your journey to becoming a forensic professional starts here.

Practice with mock tests, learn from structured notes, and get your questions answered by a global forensic community, all in one place.