The Badge Archive

Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Ambassador Cybersecurity Basics badge requirements.

Info Needed for the badge requirements: Steganography is the practice of concealing messages or data “in plain sight” within files, text, or images, making them appear ordinary and harder to detect compared to encrypted codes. Historically, it has been used by both individuals and hackers for secret communication. You can experiment with physical methods like invisible ink pens to create hidden messages or try digital steganography by using online tools to embed a message or image within another file.

Items Needed

• VTK Optical Illusion by GSUSA for each scout
• 1 magazine, catalog, or newspaper for each scout
• Pens, pencils, and highlighters for scouts to share

Instructions

1. Provide scouts with an optical illusion. If virtual, suggest searching for optical illusions online or using the provided materials.
2. Ask scouts to find the hidden message within the optical illusion.
3. Provide materials and ask scouts to create their own steganographic messages. Examples include circling words, phrases, or letters in a magazine or embedding a message within a picture.
4. Have scouts exchange their creations with others and try to uncover the hidden messages.

Leader Optical Illusion Answer: The hidden message is “flash drive.” Tilt the page to find “flash” and rotate it 90 degrees to locate “drive.