1. In cryptography, steganography refers of not only obfuscating (encrypting) data, but hiding the fact that it even exists. In communications, stegano describes hiding the fact that an attempt has been made to communicate in the first place. History: In ancient times, a messenger would be shaved, then the message would be tattooed onto the skull. The hair would be allowed to grow back in, then the messenger was sent on his way. The recipient would then shave the messenger again in order to retrieve the message. From Hacking-Lexicon