Performance Evaluation of Steganography and AES encryption based on different formats of the Image.

Abstract

Abstract: During the recent times, there has been tremendous growth in transfer of data across the globe which ultimately has boosted data communication over the computer networks. For any data communication network, the information content security of the messages is of prime concern. Steganography and Cryptography are two different data hiding techniques. Steganography puts a cover onto the messages by some other form of digital media whereas Cryptography on the other hand performs the encryption of the message. In this paper, we present a combination of both these techniques wherein the text is first hidden into some form of cover image using Least significant bit (LSB) hiding method and then encryption using Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is performed on to the stego image. The combination of both these algorithm will certainly ensure high degree of security, integrity, capacity and robustness to the embedded data. Using GUI based MATLAB simulation, a comparative analysis is being made by employing different formats of the images for learning variations in performance evaluation parameters such as delay, Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR), Mean Square Error (MSE), and Absolute Mean Square Error (AMSE). The objectives of this paper are to provide security against visual as well as statistical attacks and to ensure better quality of received information.Keywords: Steganography, Cryptography, LSB hiding, AES encryption standard, Human Visual System (HVS), PSNR, MSE, AMSE. I.INTRODUCTION With the increase in data communication over the network, security of the data is of major concern and hence is the theme of our paper. Digital data can be transmitted over the network with little error and least interference, however to ensure unauthorized access of the data, we need to preserve confidentiality and data integrity of the message which is being transmitted [2]. Steganography techniques are used to protect information by concealing secret data [1]. We employ LSB substitution technique for hiding of the data into cover image. Cryptography technique provides encryption to the original content thereby changing the representation of the information, which becomes difficult to understand by the attacker or intruder. In our paper, we make use of AES encryption standard to provide cryptography. Hence, the paper involves a combination of Steganography and Cryptography which will certainly be more robust for the information security of the data which is being transmitted. This paper also presents comparison of performance by employing different formats of the image, analysing it gives the information of which format is most suitable under this technique. The reminder of this paper is organized as follows: Section II describes the previous work done. Section III describes the Flowchart representation of the work. Section IV describes the concept of previous work done in this area. Section V explains LSB substitution technique of steganography and AES method of encryption. Then, the following section VI gives the informat...