Data Hiding in Virtual Machine Disk Images

Data hiding in computer system is an interesting and important research issue, which brings benefits for secret communication and watermarking. The development of virtual machine brings new potential for data hiding. In this paper we explore the potential for data hiding in virtual machine disk images, and especially hiding schemes that can be used with copy-on-write images. Besides being considered as a way for valid uses such as secret communication and watermarking, these schemes can be a warning against malicious intentions as well. Furthermore, it lays the foundation for a more thorough analysis of the whole virtual machine system for data hiding.