A novel blind digital watermarking technique for Stegano-encrypting information using nine-ac-coefficient prediction algorithm with an innovative security strategy

This paper presents a new methodology for data hiding using digital watermarking in the DCT Domain. The methodology relies on a new scheme for encrypting the data prior to the embedding stage. The key used for ciphering is almost of arbitrary length, type and format; this endows the watermark with a powerful, 3-level reinforced security structure. It is a blind-detector watermarking technique and the amount of the hidden data is increased by 60% compared with the traditional AC-Coefficients Prediction algorithm while sustaining a high level of transparency. Simulation results were carried out which demonstrated a promising PSNR, limited blocking artifacts, and a satisfactory level of the overall performance. The paper also presents an extensive survey of prominent digital-watermarking research outcomes in the WSEAS Transactions.