Enhanced Data Hiding Using Some Attribute of Color Image

Abstract

Images are one of the most widely used multimedia in the correspondence between people, as some of the characteristics of these images can be used to hide important messages. Each image has different characteristics, and the method of concealment changes depending on the characteristics of the image used. In this research, an algorithm was proposed to increase the efficiency of the data embedding algorithm by relying on some of the characteristics of the colored digital image. First, the color image is dismantled to the basic color layers (red, green, blue). Then, the amount of variation in each layer is measured by using image processing techniques. After that, the high contrast layer is identified and used as a cover to include the message to be included, while the other two layers are used as a key to the encryption algorithm that is applied to the text before the embedding process to increase data security.The method of concealment depends on the first and second bit values in the selected layer as a cover for the embedding process. Three criteria were used to measure the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.