The detection of hidden data presents a big challenge
to investigators and individuals looking for hidden data.
For images only, there are hundreds of billions of images
on the web and looking through all of them would be a
very time consuming and computationally challenging
task; let alone the other types of files that data can possibly
be hidden in. Even if someone manages to go through
all the current images on the web, what if some new algorithm
for hiding data in images emerges? Is the application
used to scan the images for hidden data suitable
for and capable of uncovering the hidden data? And is it
feasible to go back and rescan all the images all over
again with the same or other software updated to detect
the hidden data by the new algorithm? The answer to the
above questions is that it’s close to impossible to be able
to accurately scan or attempt to detect hidden data on such a wide scope of suspect images. It is somewhat easier
for investigators to scan for hidden data on a smaller
scale such as an image of a hard drive, but they are still
faced with the same software inaccuracy and the possibility
of encountering unknown data-hiding algorithms.