Objective Through the analysis of the types and principle of moire, a method of halftone image anti-counterfeiting was put forward based on the effect of vertical moire and the theory of half-tone image information hiding. Methods Firstly, the characteristics of infinite periodic vertical moire image and the arrangement of halftone image were analyzed. Considering the screening parameters, the matching relationship between vertical moire parameters and screening parameters was obtained. Secondly, the hidden information was embedded by adjusting parts of dots according to the relation of each parameter. Finally, the testing digital grating was designed according to the relationship between the parameters above. The designed grating was used to test the screened image which was embedded with the hidden information and the purpose of anti-counterfeiting was achieved. Results The secrecy of the hidden information in this anti-counterfeiting technology was good. The detection of the hidden information reproduced clearly and the anti-counterfeiting effectiveness was good. Conclusion A new halftone anti counterfeiting technology is put forward.