Micro protocol engineering for unstructured carriers: On the embedding of steganographic control protocols into audio transmissions

TL;DR

This paper explores methods for embedding micro protocols within audio signals for network steganography, comparing different design approaches through experimental results to enhance covert communication capabilities.

Contribution

It introduces novel design approaches for embedding hidden micro protocols in audio signals and evaluates their effectiveness through experiments.

Findings

Different embedding approaches are compared experimentally.

Design considerations depend on specific requirements.

The protocol engineering approach improves covert communication.

Abstract

Network steganography conceals the transfer of sensitive information within unobtrusive data in computer networks. So-called micro protocols are communication protocols placed within the payload of a network steganographic transfer. They enrich this transfer with features such as reliability, dynamic overlay routing, or performance optimization --- just to mention a few. We present different design approaches for the embedding of hidden channels with micro protocols in digitized audio signals under consideration of different requirements. On the basis of experimental results, our design approaches are compared, and introduced into a protocol engineering approach for micro protocols.