Steganography is primarily used for what purpose?

Steganography is primarily used for hiding a message within another object. This technique allows information to be concealed in such a way that it is not easily perceptible to the unaided eye. Unlike encryption, which alters the appearance of the data to protect it, steganography embeds the secret message within a cover medium, such as an image, audio file, or video, making it less likely to attract attention. The goal is to make the existence of the hidden message unknown to anyone who might intercept the cover object. This technique is often utilized in scenarios requiring covert communication, where maintaining secrecy is critical.

The other choices focus on different aspects of data security. Encrypting data is primarily about transforming data to ensure its confidentiality during transmission. Creating secure passwords pertains to safeguarding accounts and authentication processes, while making data backups is about preserving data integrity and availability, which does not involve concealing information within another object. These functions serve important roles in security but do not align with the core purpose of steganography.