On Thu, 24 Feb 1994, Matt Thomlinson wrote:

Sergey Goldgaber <sergey@delbruck.pharm.sunysb.edu> writes:

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might work, except for the fact that fragmentation _does_ go on, and when you were to write files to the drive (heck, I do every time I start up windows and write a huge temp swapfile) you're going to be playing roulette with your data.

...

This problem is solved by simply using a utility that writes directly to the disk (exactly in the specified sectors, in the specified order), instead of letting DOS fragment your disk.

I've been talking to Sergey behind the scenes, and I think I understand what our miscommunication was: he is proposing this type of technique ONLY for removable-type media, e.g. floppies.

I am proposing this as a practical solution that can be implemented effectively mainly on floppies. Hard-drives might have to be dedicated to stegonagraphy (As Matt points out below).

To store this type of data on your harddrive would be to dedicate your harddrive to stego. This was my argument all along; what we failed to connect on was the fact that only floppies are involved. With floppies, every write *can* be controlled and the data would be relatively safe (and obscure, for that matter).

So it seems. However, I am wary of the possibility that there are drawbacks to the scheme that I haven't even considered yet. I'm hoping that other astute readers such as yourself may be able to point them out; as, practical stegonagraphy may become a necessity in the near future.

This correction is being posted to the list because his original post said nothing about removable media.

My original post only outlined the basic premises. I had not, at that point, realized that floppy use would be a virtual necessity.

mt

Matt Thomlinson Say no to the Wiretap Chip! University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. Internet: phantom@u.washington.edu phone: (206) 548-9804 PGP 2.2 key available via email or finger phantom@hardy.u.washington.edu

Thanks for your insights and neverfailing tenacity, Matt. Sergey