In the context of forensic technology, what does 'steganography' refer to?

Steganography specifically refers to the practice of concealing messages within other non-secret text or data, making it a form of secret communication. This technique allows for a message to be hidden in such a way that its presence is undetectable to anyone who is not aware of the existence of the hidden information. For instance, a person might embed a text message within an image file, where the alterations are imperceptible to the human eye. This is distinct from regular encryption, which transforms data into an unreadable format altogether but doesn't hide its existence.

In the context of forensic technology, understanding steganography is crucial, as it can be employed to covertly transmit sensitive information, and recognizing this helps forensic investigators analyze digital evidence more effectively by seeking out hidden communications within seemingly harmless files. This knowledge can assist in criminal investigations and cybersecurity efforts where concealed data could play a vital role.