Information hiding using digital steganography

Project Abstract

<p> <em>Steganography is the art of hiding the fact that communication is taking place, by hiding information in other information. Many different carrier file formats can be used, but digital images are the most popular because of their frequency on the internet. For hiding secret information in images, there exists a large variety of steganography techniques some are more complex than others and all of them have respective strong and weak points. Different applications may require absolute invisibility of the secret information, while others require a large secret message to be hidden. This project report intends to give an overview of image steganography, its uses and techniques. It also attempts to identify the requirements of a good steganography algorithm and briefly recommended on which stenographic technique are more suitable for which applications.</em> <br></p>

Project Overview

<p> </p><p><strong>Introduction</strong></p><p><strong>1.1 &nbsp;Background to the study</strong></p><p>Currently, the digital information revolution has brought significant changes in our society and daily routines. In line with the revolution, Internet and wireless network offer ubiquitous channels to deliver and exchange information. &nbsp;Therefore, public information exchange is secured by using an encryption method where a secret data can be encrypted to prevent the content &nbsp;from &nbsp;being &nbsp;intercepted. &nbsp;However, &nbsp;with &nbsp;the technological &nbsp;advancement &nbsp;of &nbsp;information &nbsp;security, &nbsp;most &nbsp;Internet &nbsp;users &nbsp;are not &nbsp;aware that &nbsp;sending &nbsp;encrypted &nbsp;messages &nbsp;will &nbsp;draw &nbsp;unnecessary &nbsp;attention &nbsp;to &nbsp;malicious &nbsp;black hats such as crackers and hackers. This is because the encrypted data appears as a string of gibberish data that might arouse suspicion. Moreover, there is a possibility of illegal exploitation attempts to the vulnerability of the encrypted messages due to curiosity and inquisitiveness of a hacker. As a result, the secret data which has been encrypted could be &nbsp;illegally &nbsp;intercepted, &nbsp;unauthorized &nbsp;tampered &nbsp;or &nbsp;even &nbsp;damaged &nbsp;during &nbsp;data transmission.</p><p>In order to alleviate the issue mentioned above, steganography is introduced as an alternative design to conceal a secret data into an unsuspicious cover-object so that it can &nbsp;be &nbsp;sent &nbsp;stealthily &nbsp;through &nbsp;a &nbsp;public &nbsp;communication &nbsp;channel &nbsp;without &nbsp;drawing &nbsp;any unnecessary attention of the black hats.</p><p>Steganography is derived from the findings of Johannes Trithemus (1462-1516) entitled &nbsp;<em>Steganographia &nbsp;</em>which &nbsp;comes &nbsp;from &nbsp;the &nbsp;Greek &nbsp;words &nbsp;(στεγανÏŒ-ς, &nbsp;γραυ-ειν), <em>steganos </em>literally means “covered”; and <em>graphia </em>means “writing”. Eventually the entire</p><p>definition is defined as covered writing (Petitcolas et al., 1999).</p><p><strong>&nbsp;1.2</strong>&nbsp;<strong>S</strong><strong>tatements of the problem</strong></p><p>Over the years, numerous steganography techniques that embed secret data into cover-objects such as image, audio, video &nbsp;etc. have been invented and implemented. However, in &nbsp;the &nbsp;current &nbsp;image-based &nbsp;steganography &nbsp;technology, &nbsp;there &nbsp;are &nbsp;several</p><p>problems arise due to &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p><strong>i. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Distortion produced in a stego-image after embedding a secret data.</strong></p><p>There are certain existing schemes such as <em>Hide and Seek 4.1 </em>and <em>Hide in the Picture 2.1 </em>result in a distorted stego-image after embedding a secret data. Due to &nbsp;this &nbsp;factor, &nbsp;the &nbsp;stego-image &nbsp;produced &nbsp;is &nbsp;able &nbsp;to &nbsp;raise &nbsp;suspicion &nbsp;and &nbsp;can &nbsp;be clearly &nbsp;distinguished &nbsp;by &nbsp;an &nbsp;attacker. &nbsp;Thus, &nbsp;researches &nbsp;on &nbsp;alleviating &nbsp;the distortion problem in the stego-image need to be carried out.</p><p><strong>ii. &nbsp; &nbsp; There &nbsp;is &nbsp;a &nbsp;rest</strong></p> <br><p></p>