Editing Microdot (section)

{{Short description|Steganograph method of hiding messages}}
{{other uses}}
[[File:German microdots World War II Mexico Spain.jpg|thumb|NSA photo of microdots taped inside the label of an envelope. The envelope was sent by [[Operation Bolívar|German spies in Mexico City]] to [[Lisbon]] during [[World War II]], but was intercepted by Allied intelligence.]]

A '''microdot''' is text or an image substantially reduced in size to prevent detection by unintended recipients. Microdots are normally circular and around {{convert|1|mm}} in diameter but can be made into different shapes and sizes and made from various materials such as polyester or metal. The name comes from microdots often having been about the size and shape of a [[typography|typographical]] dot, such as a [[full stop|period]] or the [[tittle]] of a lowercase ''i'' or ''j''. Microdots are, fundamentally, a [[steganography|steganographic]] approach to message protection.