---
title: "Steghide: Steganography Quick Reference"
date: 2026-03-22
updated: 2026-03-22
author: [The Tech Prepper]
categories: [cryptography, reference]
tags: [steghide, steganography]
copyright: "(C) 2026 The Tech Prepper, LLC"
---

Steghide is a command-line tool used to embed and extract hidden data
within image or audio files using steganography. This document provides
an example using the JPEG image file format to hide and recover a 
hidden file with a secret message.


## Extract Hidden Data from A JPEG Image

Run the following command and use the password `beprepared` when prompted
to extract the secret file from the image named `steghide.jpg` in this
directory.

```
steghide extract -sf steghide.jpg
```

Run `cat secret.txt` to view the contents of the hidden file.


## Embed Data in JPEG File 

Hide a file (i.e. secret.txt) inside a JPEG image. Replace IMAGE with
your own JPEG image file.  This will create a file named `output.jpg` with
the file `secret.txt` hidden inside.

```
steghide embed -cf IMAGE -ef secret.txt -sf output.jpg
```


## Best Practices

- Use large, high-quality cover files
- Do NOT compressing images after embedding
- Use strong passphrases


## Common Workflow

1. Prepare a secret file
2. Select a large enough cover image to store your hidden file
3. Embed using steghide
4. Post or share the output image in plain sight