A study on integrating crypto-stego techniques to minimize the distortion

Abstract

Now a days on-line services has end up as a big part of our lives that performs communication electronically. This e-communication requires confidentiality and information integrity to protect from unauthorized users. Security can be provided by using two widespread techniques i.e., cryptography and steganography. However, no single technique in itself is well acquainted to cater to our needs in implementing a secure, and robust system. Steganography helps in hiding the data behind the cover image. But once known secret message can be captured very easily. Moreover, by embedding the data into the image medium, we increase the risk of distortion. If the distorted image is sent over the communication channel, the intruder can easily guess that some secret data has been sent and that secret data can be easily recovered. As we know, cryptography ciphers the text so that the secret data sent over the communication link cannot be understood. But if both the security mechanisms can be integrated we can come up with a system which is more secure and robust. This paper presents the study of hybrid crypto-stego techniques so as to reduce distortion by maintaining the imperceptibility, robustness and providing high security for the e-communication between two authorized parties.