An asymmetric data hiding using binary pattern detected with metaheuristics algorithm

Abstract

This work presents an asymmetric data hiding method using binary patterns detected with a metaheuristic algorithm. The technique uses a pheromone matrix and two stage decision process to detect binary patterns. The binary pattern acts as a secret key to isolate the complex area of the cover image from the smooth area, both the process of information hiding and information retrieval. The method hides confidential data in the complex area of cover media using the information present in the detected binary pattern and leaves the smooth area's pixel unaffected. The confidential data is hidden asymmetrically, and the asymmetry is ensured using a stego key of varying configuration and size. The binary pattern, stego key, and asymmetry of the number of bits hidden in the cover image's pixels enhance the security of confidential data by many folds. The visual analysis of the results demonstrated that the presented technique does not add any detectable modification to the resulting images and keeps the hidden data innocent for observers. The quantitative results obtained in terms of the evaluation metrics of peak signal to noise ratio, mean square error, structure similarity index, and hiding capacity, show that the proposed technique has a high value of peak signal to noise ratio and structural similarity index with a significant hiding capacity, while the mean square error is also significantly low. The high security and the quality of resulting images make it impossible for unauthorized users to obtain hidden information. Hence, the existence of confidential information is not compromised. Moreover, the comparative analysis shows that the performance of the presented technique, in terms of the evaluation metrics, is better than or comparable with state-of-the-art techniques. The binary pattern, large size, and large variety of the stego key make the proposed technique superior to the state-of-the-art techniques, in terms of security.