The presently claimed invention relates generally to digital watermarking and steganographic data hiding for video and images. One claim recites a method of connecting a user computing device to one of a plurality of remote computers available for communication over a network. The method includes: a) obtaining streaming data representing a two dimensional color image or video, the two dimensional color image or video including an index steganographically hidden therein through alterations to the two dimensional color image or video; b) analyzing the streaming data to obtain the index; c) accessing a database with the index, the database comprising a plurality of records that associate an index to a pointer, the pointer identifying a remote computer on the network, in which the pointer is determined as a function of the index; and d) using the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby. Of course, additional claims and combinations are provided as well.