Encryption-based steganography of images by multiobjective whale optimal pixel selection

Abstract

ABSTRACT Information security involves hiding secret images, text, audio or video files within any other files that can be used to preserve the secret data from being theft by the third party. Recent works of the literature in steganography have the threat of secret information being retrieved by an anonymous user. Some techniques do not support some image formats for embedding. To overcome the disadvantages associated with the existing algorithms, we proposed encryption-based steganography. Encryption algorithms play vital roles to protect original data from unauthorized access. In this paper, the cover image is separated into RGB components separately. Multilevel discrete wavelet transform (DWT) transformation is applied over the transformed image components. Optimal pixels are selected using Multiobjective Whale Optimization. The secret image is split into RGB components. Encryption using Data Encryption Standard, Advanced Encryption Standard and Signcryption algorithms is performed over R, G and B separated components, respectively. The encrypted image is embedded into the selected pixel point of cover image. Inverse DWT is applied to retrieve the stego image. The results are analyzed to prove low error rate with high secured secret image.