Jiajun Liu¹, Lina Tan^1,*, Zhili Zhou², Weijin Jiang¹, Yi Li¹, Peng Chen¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.81, No.2, pp. 3221-3240, 2024, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2024.054542 - 18 November 2024

Abstract Many existing coverless steganography methods establish a mapping relationship between cover images and hidden data. One issue with these methods is that as the steganographic capacity increases, the number of images stored in the database grows exponentially. This makes it challenging to build and manage a large image database. To improve the image library utilization and anti-attack capability of the steganography system, we propose an efficient coverless scheme based on dynamically matched substrings. We utilize You Only Look Once (YOLO) for selecting optimal objects and create a mapping dictionary between these objects and scrambling factors.… More >

Murad Njoum^1,2,*, Rossilawati Sulaiman¹, Zarina Shukur¹, Faizan Qamar¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.81, No.1, pp. 183-211, 2024, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2024.050090 - 15 October 2024

Abstract Random pixel selection is one of the image steganography methods that has achieved significant success in enhancing the robustness of hidden data. This property makes it difficult for steganalysts’ powerful data extraction tools to detect the hidden data and ensures high-quality stego image generation. However, using a seed key to generate non-repeated sequential numbers takes a long time because it requires specific mathematical equations. In addition, these numbers may cluster in certain ranges. The hidden data in these clustered pixels will reduce the image quality, which steganalysis tools can detect. Therefore, this paper proposes a… More >

Zinah Khalid Jasim Jasim^*, Sefer Kurnaz^*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.80, No.3, pp. 4643-4662, 2024, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2024.055195 - 12 September 2024

Abstract This advanced paper presents a new approach to improving image steganography using the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm. Image steganography, a technique of embedding hidden information in digital photographs, should ideally achieve the dual purposes of maximum data hiding and maintenance of the integrity of the cover media so that it is least suspect. The contemporary methods of steganography are at best a compromise between these two. In this paper, we present our approach, entitled Ant Colony Optimization (ACO)-Least Significant Bit (LSB), which attempts to optimize the capacity in steganographic embedding. The approach makes use… More >

Da-Chun Wu^*, Zong-Nan Shih

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.141, No.1, pp. 353-383, 2024, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2024.050813 - 20 August 2024

Abstract A new steganographic method by pixel-value differencing (PVD) using general quantization ranges of pixel pairs’ difference values is proposed. The objective of this method is to provide a data embedding technique with a range table with range widths not limited to powers of 2, extending PVD-based methods to enhance their flexibility and data-embedding rates without changing their capabilities to resist security attacks. Specifically, the conventional PVD technique partitions a grayscale image into 1 × 2 non-overlapping blocks. The entire range [0, 255] of all possible absolute values of the pixel pairs’ grayscale differences in the… More >

Pengbiao Zhao¹, Qi Zhong², Jingxue Chen¹, Xiaopei Wang³, Zhen Qin¹, Erqiang Zhou^1,*

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.141, No.1, pp. 331-352, 2024, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2024.050148 - 20 August 2024

Abstract Information steganography has received more and more attention from scholars nowadays, especially in the area of image steganography, which uses image content to transmit information and makes the existence of secret information undetectable. To enhance concealment and security, the Steganography without Embedding (SWE) method has proven effective in avoiding image distortion resulting from cover modification. In this paper, a novel encrypted communication scheme for image SWE is proposed. It reconstructs the image into a multi-linked list structure consisting of numerous nodes, where each pixel is transformed into a single node with data and pointer domains.… More >

Abdullah Alenizi¹, Mohammad Sajid Mohammadi², Ahmad A. Al-Hajji², Arshiya Sajid Ansari^1,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.80, No.2, pp. 2463-2494, 2024, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2024.051826 - 15 August 2024

Abstract Steganography is a technique for hiding secret messages while sending and receiving communications through a cover item. From ancient times to the present, the security of secret or vital information has always been a significant problem. The development of secure communication methods that keep recipient-only data transmissions secret has always been an area of interest. Therefore, several approaches, including steganography, have been developed by researchers over time to enable safe data transit. In this review, we have discussed image steganography based on Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) algorithm, etc. We have also discussed image steganography based… More >

AFM Zainul Abadin^1,2,*, Rossilawati Sulaiman¹, Mohammad Kamrul Hasan¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.80, No.2, pp. 3139-3171, 2024, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2024.050834 - 15 August 2024

Abstract Image steganography is one of the prominent technologies in data hiding standards. Steganographic system performance mostly depends on the embedding strategy. Its goal is to embed strictly confidential information into images without causing perceptible changes in the original image. The randomization strategies in data embedding techniques may utilize random domains, pixels, or region-of-interest for concealing secrets into a cover image, preventing information from being discovered by an attacker. The implementation of an appropriate embedding technique can achieve a fair balance between embedding capability and stego image imperceptibility, but it is challenging. A systematic approach is More >

Muhammad Zaman Ali¹, Omer Riaz¹, Hafiz Muhammad Hasnain², Waqas Sharif², Tenvir Ali², Gyu Sang Choi^3,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.79, No.2, pp. 2923-2943, 2024, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2024.049139 - 15 May 2024

Abstract In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of communication technologies, ensuring the secure delivery of sensitive data has become an essential priority. To overcome these difficulties, different steganography and data encryption methods have been proposed by researchers to secure communications. Most of the proposed steganography techniques achieve higher embedding capacities without compromising visual imperceptibility using LSB substitution. In this work, we have an approach that utilizes a combination of Most Significant Bit (MSB) matching and Least Significant Bit (LSB) substitution. The proposed algorithm divides confidential messages into pairs of bits and connects them with the MSBs of… More >

Arshiya S. Ansari^*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.78, No.3, pp. 2865-2892, 2024, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2024.045908 - 26 March 2024

Abstract Image steganography is a technique of concealing confidential information within an image without dramatically changing its outside look. Whereas vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), which enable vehicles to communicate with one another and with roadside infrastructure to enhance safety and traffic flow provide a range of value-added services, as they are an essential component of modern smart transportation systems. VANETs steganography has been suggested by many authors for secure, reliable message transfer between terminal/hope to terminal/hope and also to secure it from attack for privacy protection. This paper aims to determine whether using steganography is… More >

Al Hussien Seddik Saad¹, Mohammed S. Reda², Gamal M. Behery², Ahmed A. El-harby², Mohammed Baz³, Mohamed Abouhawwash^4,5,*, Ahmed Ismail Ebada⁶

Intelligent Automation & Soft Computing, Vol.38, No.2, pp. 125-138, 2023, DOI:10.32604/iasc.2023.032084 - 05 February 2024

Abstract The trend of digital information transformation has become a topic of interest. Many data are threatening; thus, protecting such data from attackers is considered an essential process. Recently, a new methodology for data concealing has been suggested by researchers called coverless steganography. Coverless steganography can be accomplished either by building an image database to match its image subblocks with the secret message to obtain the stego image or by generating an image. This paper proposes a coverless image steganography system based on pure image generation using secret message bits with a capacity higher than the… More >