Neil F. Johnson - publications

Press Releases and Interviews

07/01/2003 In the article On the Edge: Hidden in Plain Sight By Rich Gray as a special edition to SPACE.com Dr. Neil F. Johnson and Dr. Hany Farid were interviewed on the topic steganography. (Note: the description of embedding information in a JPEG is incorrect. The description is actually for embedding in the LSBs of a BMP image.)
03/26/2003 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed for Tech Edge Magazine on the topics steganography in image, audio, and video carriers and the relative trade-offs between potential carrier characteristics, payload size, and detection. Also discussed were other methods of data embedding as means for tamper detection and bandwidth enhancement.
09/10/2002 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed by Lee Gomes of the Wall Street Journal on the topics of steganography's use in history and the likelihood of use and complexity of setting up communications.
07/20/2002 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was quoted in the Times Leader article Web site with area ties stirs terrorism concern by Jetty Lynott discussing the possibility of steganography being employed to conceal terrorist activities on http://www.azzam.com/ (a website hosted by a provider in Pennsylvania, USA). The point made is that once the suspicion of such activity was released to the public through e-mail and postings, then suspect pages and media would likely be removed.
05/2002 Dr. Neil F. Johnson's research is highlighted in the Mason Spirit in the article: Digital Detective: Technology-Terrorist Link Puts Neil Johnson In Spotlight by Robin Herron.
01/24/2002 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed for Technology Review related to issues of scanning for embedded information in vast amounts of data on the Internet.
12/18/2001 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed on National Public Radio (NPR) station WAMU on the Public Interest with Kojo Nnamdi. The hour-long Tech Tuesday interview covered various aspects of information and computer security but primarily focused on discussion reporter on the topics of steganography. Listen to the interview in RealAudio!.
12/14/2001 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed by National Public Radio(NPR) reporter on the topics of steganography, cryptography, hackers, and privacy.
11/30/2001 Reporters for the Mason Gazette interviewed Dr. Neil F. Johnson about steganography and his research at GMU.
11/28/2001 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed on the topics of steganography, cryptography, and privacy for the BizTech Global Technology Summit (December 4-5 in Washington, DC).
11/27/2001 The Daily News Record the news paper from Dr. Neil F. Johnson's hometown highlighted his research and background in the articles: City Native Becomes Top Code Detector and Steganography Used Commercially To Fight Copyright Violators by Wendy Pagonis.
11/24/2001 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed on CNN to discuss steganography and it's potential use for illicit communications
11/06/2001 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed on Voice of America Radio to discuss the basics and evolution of steganography
11/05/2001 Dr. Sushil Jajodia and Dr. Neil F. Johnson were interviewed and video taped by Belo on the topic of steganography and security (Belo is one of the nation's largest media companies)
11/02/2001 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed on Columbia National Radio's Morning Show by Julio Sanchez to discuss the basics of steganography and how low-tech as well as high-tech methods can be employed (broadcast in Spanish)
11/01/2001 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed by Time Magazine to discuss steganography
10/30/2001 On National Public Radio (NPR) program 'All Things Considered' Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed to discuss steganography (Listen to the Interview) In the NY Times Article: Veiled Messages of Terrorists May Lurk in Cyberspace by Gina Kolata, researchers involved in steganalysis were interviewed to discuss steganography and its analysis. Unlike some of his colleagues, Dr. Neil F. Johnson refused to disclose the techniques and formats of detection stating that "I think it's foolish to disclose what I'm scanning for, whether I'm scanning and whether I'm detecting anything." In La Repubblica Article: Steganografia, la scienza pi� amata dai terroristi by Riccardo Stagliano', attributed comments to Dr. Neil F. Johnson related to his concerns over disclosing techniques and media formats related to discovering hidden information.
10/12/2001 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed on CNET Radio's Morning Show with Brian Cooley to describe the basics of steganography and how low-tech as well as high-tech methods can be employed
10/11/2001 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed by French AFP News wire on steganography and security Knight-Ridder Tribune Business News Investigators Try to Trace Terrorists' Footprints in Cyberspace 'The problem they are dealing with is sheer volume,' said Dr. Neil F. Johnson, associate director of the Center for Secure Information Systems at George Mason University in Virginia. 'Who knows where this information has been disseminated or where they placed it.'
10/10/2001 TechTV Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed on the air during TechTV News on the concern that secret messages may be distributed in news broadcasts and steganography in general. Yahoo Finance Vision: On-air interview "Terrorists Find Hiding Place on the Net" - Neil Johnson, George Mason University describes the many ways in which messages can be hidden on the Internet, and how law enforcement is likely to hunt for them. Interviewed by Lorna Ho and John Doubleday. Austrian National Radio, Vienna, Austria: Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed to discuss steganography, how it can be used or misused.
10/02/2001 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed by ABC News on topics associated with steganography, how it is done, and what are concerns related to intelligence and law enforcement.
09/30/2001 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed by Kevin Mitnick during his radio program, Darkside of the Internet, based at KFI AM 640 in Los Angeles, California and is broadcasts over the Internet.
09/26/2001 Technology Research News: Wednesday, September 26, 2001 In the article, Statistics sniff out secrets by reporter Kimberly Patch, Dr. Neil F. Johnson is quoted based on and interview on the topic of statistical analysis and steganography detection.
09/25/2001 NewScientist: In the article Massive search reveals no secret code in web images by Will Knight, Dr. Sushil Jajodia explained that data hiding need not be so technically sophisticated. Steganography does add a layer of secrecy, and low-tech approaches such as using a code word in a telephone conversation or a news broadcast also provides easy way to communicate in secret. San Jose Mercury News: Tuesday, September 25, 2001 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed on the topic of steganography. Der Spiegel News Magazine, Germany: Tuesday, September 25, 2001 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed to discuss the crypto debate in the US, privacy concerns, and steganography. Deutsche Welle News: Tuesday, September 25, 2001 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed to discuss an introduction to and examples of steganography.
09/21/2001 Newsweek Web Exclusive: Friday, September 21, 2001 In the article Coded Communications by Peter McGrath, Dr. Neil F. Johnson was partially quoted as saying "I'd expect it [steganography] to have been used". The response Neil actually gave to the reporter was, "I expect that any person or organization with an interest in privacy and secret communications will use whatever technology is available be it cryptography, steganography, or something else."
09/20/2001 In the article " Une technique de camouflage presque sans parade" appearing in the Paris, France based news paper Le Monde, Dr. Neil F. Johnson is quoted based on an interview on steganography and its investigation.
09/19/2001 TechTV On-Line: An illustration of steganography is provided from Neil F. Johnson's website in the article What Is Steganography? by TechTV staff writers. Interactive Week: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed to discuss an introduction to steganography. San Jose Mercury News: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed on the topic of steganography and computer forensics. Baltimore Sun: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed on the topic of encryption, steganography, privacy, and digital forensics. Washington Post: Dr. Neil F. Johnson's research related to steganography is identified in the article Terrorists' Online Methods Elusive U.S. Agencies Seek Experts' Help in Tracing Encrypted Messages By Ariana Eunjung Cha and Jonathan Krim, Washington Post Staff Writers appearing Wednesday, September 19, 2001; Page A14. Le Monde Paris, France: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 Dr. Neil F. Johnson was interviewed on the topic of steganography, analysis, detection, and terrorism.
09/17/2001 US NEWS interviewed Dr. Neil F. Johnson on the topics of steganography, steganalysis, and their applications Dow Jones News Monday, September 17, 2001 Agence France-Presse: Dr. Neil F. Johnson is quoted in the article Internet Privacy at Threat After Terror Attacks, Experts Fear by Herve Asquin
09/16/2001 The Scotsman Online and Sunday Business news: Sunday, September 16 in articles by Jat Gill and Eric Culp, Dr. Neil F. Johnson is quoted on comments related to steganography detection.
07/23/2001 National Public Radio (NPR) 23 July 2001: Dr. Neil F. Johnson and Special Agent Ken McGuire (FBI) together appeared on "Air Talk" with Larry Mantle; KPCC-FM, Pasadena, CA for a 1-hour interview on Steganography
02/20/2001 WIRED in the article Secret Messages Come in .Wavs highlights the steganography and steganalysis research of CSIS Associate Director, Neil F. Johnson
02/2001 Associate Director, Neil F. Johnson quoted in March 2001 edition of ON Magazine (formerly Time Digital) in the article "Hiding in Plain Sight" (p38) and his role of steganography in law enforcement
02/07/2001 WIRED in the article Bin Laden: Steganography Master? by Declan McCullagh references Neil F. Johnson's web site for an illustration of steganography
02/06/2001 February 6, 2001 edition of Business 2.0 Magazine in the article "Putting Billboards on MP3s" (p56) references Neil F. Johnson's website as a source for Steganography information and resources.
01/29/2001 Neil F. Johnson interviewed live on CNET Radio regarding Digital Watermarking, Intellectual property protection, and the music industry
12/29/2000 Financial Times - Neil F. Johnson (last name misspelled as Johnston) is quoted in three articles related to the Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI) and intellectual property protection for the music industry "Inside Track: Towards a Piracy High Watermark: Copyright Protection", "SDMI Takes On Watermarking", and "Towards a Piracy High Watermark" (12/29/2000)