Unique Stego Key Generation from Fingerprint Image in Image Steganography

Abstract

The concept of image steganography involves concealing secret message, using stego key and cover image. The stego key is used both at the sender side and the receiver side, for insertion as well as for extraction of secret message. Thus, the stego key and the insertion algorithm are connected closely in image steganography. The process of insertion requires a unique method of embedding data in the original cover image for generating the stego image, such that it is difficult for the hacker to know the presence of secret data. This process in turn depends on the stego key to a large extent. On the other hand, biometrics has been accepted as one of the strongest ways of confirming the identity of any individual. This paper focuses both on biometrics and steganography for the secret transmission of data. Thus, a unique key has been generated from the fingerprint image, as a part of biometrics, where the special features of the image have been extracted. The special features and their corresponding locations have been found. These locations are used for data embedding in the cover image, thus paving the path for a unique way of insertion of secret bits.