This paper presents a robust framework for secured communication of data through images using steganography. The framework will help in developing applications that make sharing secrets and confidential information as easy as sharing pictures, while making the users feel more secure about the information exchanged. We have developed the framework to create steg-images in JPEG format, which is more widely used than other formats. A pilot implementation is developed using this framework on an embedded platform and the results are discussed. © 2013 IEEE.