An image steganography method using spread spectrum technique

Abstract

In this paper, we present an image steganography method based on spread spectrum technique. In the proposed method, cover image is decomposed into RGB planes. The extracted R, G, and B image planes are converted into orthogonal image planes. Message to be embedded is encrypted with RC4 using key and modulated with orthogonal red image plane using key. Modulated message is embedded into orthogonal blue image plane, generating stego image. Orthogonal red image plane is encrypted using key. Dot product property of orthogonal images is used to extract the secret message. Proposed image steganography method is blind image steganography method, and cover image is not needed to extract the message from the stego image. The recipient only requires keys and encrypted orthogonal red image plane to extract the hidden information. Receiver can extract secret message without cover image, and the proposed image steganography method is not a cover escrow scheme.