Genetic algorithms for optimality of data hiding in digital images

Abstract

This paper investigates the scope of usage of Genetic Algorithms (GA) for data hiding in digital images. The tool has been explored in this topic of research to achieve an optimal solution in multidimensional nonlinear problem of conflicting nature that exists among imperceptibility, robustness, security and payload capacity. Two spatial domain data hiding methods are proposed where GA is used separately for (i) improvement in detection and (ii) optimal imperceptibility of hidden data in digital images respectively. In the first method, GA is used to achieve a set of parameter values (used as Key) to represent optimally the derived watermark in the form of approximate difference signal used for embedding. In the second method, GA is used for finding out values of parameters, namely reference amplitude (A) and modulation index (μ) both with linear and non linear transformation functions, for achieving the optimal data imperceptibility. Results on robustness for both the methods against linear, non linear filtering, noise addition, and lossy compression as well as statistical invisibility of the hidden data are reported here for some benchmark images.