Abstract
Data encoded in molecules offers opportunities for secret messaging and extreme information density. Here, we explore how the same chemical and physical dimensions used to encode molecular information can expose molecular messages to detection and manipulation. To address these vulnerabilities, we write data using an object’s pre-existing surface chemistry in ways that are indistinguishable from the original substrate. While it is simple to embed chemical information onto common objects (covers) using routine steganographic permutation, chemically embedded covers are found to be resistant to detection by sophisticated analytical tools. Using Turbo codes for efficient digital error correction, we demonstrate recovery of secret keys hidden in the pre-existing chemistry of American one dollar bills. These demonstrations highlight ways to improve security in other molecular domains, and show how the chemical fingerprints of common objects can be harnessed for data storage and communication.
Highlights
Data encoded in molecules offers opportunities for secret messaging and extreme information density
Representing digital data in molecular form offers the potential for extreme physical information density and longevity[1,2,3,4], by mapping information into D NA5 as well as other families of c ompounds[6,7,8,9]
Secrecy systems ought to be designed under the assumption that an enemy can apply unlimited resources to intercept a message[15], so if molecular steganography is used for security, what properties of chemically embedded covers might alert adversaries or eavesdroppers to the presence of a message?
Summary
Data encoded in molecules offers opportunities for secret messaging and extreme information density. We explore how the same chemical and physical dimensions used to encode molecular information can expose molecular messages to detection and manipulation. To address these vulnerabilities, we write data using an object’s pre-existing surface chemistry in ways that are indistinguishable from the original substrate. Using Turbo codes for efficient digital error correction, we demonstrate recovery of secret keys hidden in the pre-existing chemistry of American one dollar bills These demonstrations highlight ways to improve security in other molecular domains, and show how the chemical fingerprints of common objects can be harnessed for data storage and communication. Even when common molecules are used, they may carry other noticeable features such as correlated concentration profiles, atypical isotope ratios, or bimodal concentration distributions, which could risk exposing the communication to third parties
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