A More Secure Image Hiding Scheme Using Pixel Adjustment and Genetic Algorithm

Abstract

This paper proposes a more secure image hiding scheme using Optimal Pixel Adjustment Process (OPAP) and Genetic Algorithm (GA). The security issues of key selection that is used in image hiding are addressed. Thus, a more secure scheme is proposed in order to improve the security as well as the quality of the stego-image. Since GA is a semi-blind algorithm, it may select a key that affects the security. Therefore, the authores improve the security by applying image transformation not only using the GA key, but also using a user key. The user key is used to disarrange the pixel locations of the secret image. Then, the GA, using OPAP, selects the key that maximizes the quality as well as the security of the stego-image. From implementation point of view, the scheme uses a simple and fast transformation method that increases the difference between the secret image and its transformed version. The results showed that the resultant disarranged image cannot be detected, and at the same time the stego-image quality is still high.