Abstract: A system for securely communicating over a network includes a sending device and a receiving device. The sending device includes first processing hardware configured to encrypt a symmetric key associated with the sending device with a public key associated with a receiving device. The first processing hardware is further configured to steganographically embed the symmetric key into an image. The sending device further includes a first signal interface configured to send the image to the receiving device. The receiving device includes second signal interface for receiving the image from the sending device. The receiving device also includes second processing hardware configured to decrypt the symmetric key with a private key stored on the receiving device and to further secure communications with the sender via the symmetric key.