What is the process of embedding a message in the least significant bits of a binary file called?

The process of embedding a message in the least significant bits of a binary file is known as steganography. This technique allows one to subtly hide a message within an ordinary file, such as an image or audio file, by altering the least significant bits, which are less likely to affect the overall quality or appearance of the file. Steganography seeks to ensure that the hidden message remains undetectable to the average observer, distinguishing itself from other data security methods by focusing on concealment rather than transformation.

In contrast, encryption transforms data into a format that is unintelligible without the correct key, focusing on protecting the content itself rather than hiding its existence. Hashing involves creating a fixed-size representation of data, useful for integrity verification but not for embedding messages. Tokenization replaces sensitive data with non-sensitive equivalents, primarily aimed at protecting data privacy rather than concealing it within another file. Therefore, steganography is the correct term reflecting the specific practice of hiding information within other data.