9 Computer software and electronic apparatus for encoding physical and electronic media objects, namely magazines and newspapers, advertising, product packaging, direct mailings, tickets, coupons, catalogs, annual reports, logos, brochures, business cards, still images, financial instruments, currency, stock certificates, identity documents such as passports and drivers licenses, with hidden digital information, and for decoding such hidden digital information from such media objects; electronic media objects with hidden digital information encoded therein, namely, still images, computer software used to link computers from such physical and electronic media objects based on the digital information hidden therein; computer software and electronic apparatus for monitoring traffic to internet sites; computer software and electronic apparatus for cataloguing, indexing, marketing and licensing images containing hidden digital information; and computer software for preventing use of personal computers for counterfeiting and piracy