Hide Files Inside an Image [Quick Tip]

By Thomas on October 13, 2010 (9 Comments)

There are many ways to hide your secrets, using encryption, hidden folders, hidden partitions etc. Sometimes the best place to hide something is in plain sight. Here’s an old forgotten trick that might prove to be the best hiding place ever…

Inside your images

The beauty of this method is that it doesn’t need any passwords (unless you really want to), algorithms, encryption or special software. You can hide anything you like.

What you need

WinZip or WinRar or equivalent
Files to hide
An image (JPEG, GIF or PNG)

The instructions

Compress your files into a ZIP or RAR-file (Do NOT include the image).
NOTE! The Filename MUST NOT include spaces
Place the image of your choice in the same folder as the Compressed File
Open Command Prompt and open the Folder (type: CD\FolderName)
Type the following: "copy /b ImageFileName + CompressedFilename" and press Enter.
This Command will merge the second file into the first one.

In case you can’t read the image that well: copy /b TheDog.jpg + Secret.zip
After the confirmation, close the Command Prompt. Comparing the file size before and after is the only thing revealing that the image contain more than, well an image.
If you want to avoid suspicion, remember that image file sizes rarely exceed 3-4 MB.

Simple isn’t it? I know you are going to ask: No, there is no reason why this shouldn’t work on AVI-files or MP3-files or any other media-file as well.

How to access the Hidden Content…

Accessing the hidden files is just as easy. Even though it isn’t totally necessary, I would recommend that you temporarily change the file-extension to either ZIP or RAR. Then right-click it and choose “Open With”. If you don’t see WinZip or WinRar in the list, you have to locate it by expanding the view or use the Browse button. If you decide not to change the file-extension then remember to disable the check box: “Always use the selected program to open this kind of file”.

About Thomas

Computer geek from the age of 7, which amounts to 30 years of computer experience. From the early days (when every computer company had their own OS) of DOS, Windows 1.0 through Seven...

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Comments

Shan
any idea how to reverse this process so the image and the zip file no longer attached to each other?
- Anonymous
  Sorry, I don’t.
  But i am researching it.
- Henry-systems
  Hy
  See:
  How to access the Hidden Content…
  Accessing the hidden files is just as easy. Even though it isn’t totally necessary, I would recommend that you temporarily change the file-extension to either ZIP or RAR. Then right-click it and choose “Open With”. If you don’t see WinZip or WinRar in the list, you have to locate it by expanding the view or use the Browse button. If you decide not to change the file-extension then remember to disable the check box: “Always use the selected program to open this kind of file”.
Hamid914
Accessing the hidden files is not possible for me. I changed the file-extention to RAR, then WinRar can not open the file. (so for .Zip)
How can i access the hidden files now?
- Anonymous
  Hi Hamid,
  Right-Click the file and Choose “Open WIth” from the Context menu.
  Then choose WinRar from the list of installed programs.
  Let me know how it works out for you.
Manikcom
this tip is not work in windows 7,,,, i try many times but not working
- Anonymous
  I use Windows 7,so I can assure it does work.
  However, you need to follow the instructions perfectly. Do not use filenames with SPACE or dividers other than – and _ (score and underscore).
  - Eduardo
    In windows 7 you MUST temporarily change the file-extension to either ZIP or RAR
de
thanks

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