A robust and secure image watermarking scheme using SURF and improved Artificial Bee Colony algorithm in DWT domain

Abstract

To improve the security, robustness and imperceptibility of watermark scheme, a novel watermark scheme is devised by fusing multiple techniques, including DWT-SVD, Speed-Up Robust Feature (SURF), Random Sample Consensus (RANSAC) algorithm and improved Artificial Bee Colony algorithm named as IABC. To solve the false positive problem in various SVD-based watermark schemes, DWT is employed on the host image and then block wise singular components (maximum) are used for watermark’s principal component insertion. On the one hand, IABC algorithm is applied to optimize the scaling factors to balance invisibility and robustness and on the other hand to improve the convergence speed. Moreover, SURF and RANSAC algorithm are used to correct probable geometrical distortion to maintain watermark synchronization. Experimental outcomes demonstrated that compared with the related existing schemes, this scheme exhibits an overall superior performance in the aspects of security, imperceptibility and robustness.