Linear Feedback Shift Registers-Based Randomization for Image Steganography

Abstract

Steganography involves concealing information by embedding data within cover media and it can be categorized into two main domains: spatial and frequency. This paper presents two distinct methods. The first is operating in the spatial domain which utilizes the least significant bits (LSBs) to conceal a secret message. The second method is the functioning in the frequency domain which hides the secret message within the LSBs of the middle-frequency band of the discrete cosine transform (DCT) coefficients. These methods enhance obfuscation by utilizing two layers of randomness: random pixel embedding and random bit embedding within each pixel. Unlike other available methods that embed data in sequential order with a fixed amount. These methods embed the data in a random location with a random amount, further enhancing the level of obfuscation. A pseudo-random binary key that is generated through a nonlinear combination of eight Linear Feedback Shift Registers (LFSRs) controls this randomness. The experimentation involves various 512x512 cover images. The first method achieves an average PSNR of 43.5292 with a payload capacity of up to 16% of the cover image. In contrast, the second method yields an average PSNR of 38.4092 with a payload capacity of up to 8%. The performance analysis demonstrates that the LSB-based method can conceal more data with less visibility, however, it is vulnerable to simple image manipulation. On the other hand, the DCT-based method offers lower capacity with increased visibility, but it is more robust.