Bitcoin Blockchain Steganographic Analysis

摘要

Steganography has been used as a way to hide data in files or in messages traveling on communication channels. Its use can be worrisome when it is used without proper authorization. Recently, it has been detected that there are arbitrary files included in the public blockchain of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency. The main concern arises when such data inserted contains objectionable content, thus compromising blockchain platforms. In this context, this paper presents an analysis of the Blockchain of Bitcoin, based on some proposals for the use of steganography in blockchains and on detection methods of steganographic data. Additionally, it is shown that we found no evidence of steganography data in Bitcoin using these techniques. We conclude by showing that there is no specific approach, so far, for steganalysis in blockchains.