Logistic map-based image steganography scheme using combined LSB and PVD for security enhancement

Abstract

In recent, the confidentiality of important data is indispensable for Internet users. Although both the encryption and steganography schemes are well suited to protect the confidentiality of data, the combination of encryption and steganography approaches enhances the level of security. In this paper, an image steganography scheme is implemented where the security has been improved without incorporating any encryption process with steganography. The secret information is embedded into cover images directly either by LSB or PVD approaches. The selection of data embedding approach is decided based on a secret key, where the logistic map-based secret key sequence is used. This approach directly enhances the security without considering any conventional cryptography scheme. The experimental results ensure the acceptable results in terms of decent quality of stego-images. In addition, the proposed scheme provides a high level of security since the embedding process is realized based on the secret key sequence.