Agit Amrullah, Ferda Ernawan^*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.86, No.2, pp. 1-16, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.069229 - 09 December 2025

Abstract This paper proposes a tamper detection technique for semi-fragile watermarking using Quantization-based Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) for tamper localization. In this study, the proposed embedding strategy is investigated by experimental tests over the diagonal order of the DCT coefficients. The cover image is divided into non-overlapping blocks of size 8 × 8 pixels. The DCT is applied to each block, and the coefficients are arranged using a zig-zag pattern within the block. In this study, the low-frequency coefficients are selected to examine the impact of the imperceptibility score and tamper detection accuracy. High accuracy of… More >

Qiuling Wu^1,*, Hao Li¹, Mingjian Li¹, Ming Wang²

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.86, No.1, pp. 1-20, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.068220 - 10 November 2025

Abstract Digital watermarking technology plays an important role in detecting malicious tampering and protecting image copyright. However, in practical applications, this technology faces various problems such as severe image distortion, inaccurate localization of the tampered regions, and difficulty in recovering content. Given these shortcomings, a fragile image watermarking algorithm for tampering blind-detection and content self-recovery is proposed. The multi-feature watermarking authentication code (AC) is constructed using texture feature of local binary patterns (LBP), direct coefficient of discrete cosine transform (DCT) and contrast feature of gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) for detecting the tampered region, and the… More >

Ahmed El Maloufy, Mohamed Amine Tahiri, Ahmed Bencherqui, Hicham Karmouni, Mhamed Sayyouri^*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.85, No.3, pp. 5789-5822, 2025, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.068885 - 23 October 2025

Abstract In the current digital context, safeguarding copyright is a major issue, particularly for architectural drawings produced by students. These works are frequently the result of innovative academic thinking combining creativity and technical precision. They are particularly vulnerable to the risk of illegal reproduction when disseminated in digital format. This research suggests, for the first time, an innovative approach to copyright protection by embedding a double digital watermark to address this challenge. The solution relies on a synergistic fusion of several sophisticated methods: Krawtchouk Optimized Octonion Moments (OKOM), Quaternion Singular Value Decomposition (QSVD), and Discrete Waveform… More >

Jyun-Jie Wang¹, Yin-Chen Lin¹, Chi-Chun Chen^2,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.85, No.3, pp. 5595-5624, 2025, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.066160 - 23 October 2025

Abstract Digital watermarking must balance imperceptibility, robustness, complexity, and security. To address the challenge of computational efficiency in trellis-based informed embedding, we propose a modified watermarking framework that integrates fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering into the generation off block codewords for labeling trellis arcs. The system incorporates a parallel trellis structure, controllable embedding parameters, and a novel informed embedding algorithm with reduced complexity. Two types of embedding schemes—memoryless and memory-based—are designed to flexibly trade-off between imperceptibility and robustness. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms existing approaches in bit error rate (BER) and computational complexity under More >

Fatima Abu Siryeh^*, Hussein Alrammahi, Abdullahi Abdu İbrahim

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.84, No.3, pp. 5021-5046, 2025, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.065206 - 30 July 2025

Abstract Biometric template protection is essential for finger-based authentication systems, as template tampering and adversarial attacks threaten the security. This paper proposes a DCT-based fragile watermarking scheme incorporating AI-based tamper detection to improve the integrity and robustness of finger authentication. The system was tested against NIST SD4 and Anguli fingerprint datasets, wherein 10,000 watermarked fingerprints were employed for training. The designed approach recorded a tamper detection rate of 98.3%, performing 3–6% better than current DCT, SVD, and DWT-based watermarking approaches. The false positive rate (≤1.2%) and false negative rate (≤1.5%) were much lower compared to previous… More >

Maazen Alsabaan¹, Zaid Bin Faheem², Yuanyuan Zhu², Jehad Ali^3,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.84, No.1, pp. 491-512, 2025, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.064971 - 09 June 2025

Abstract Image watermarking is a powerful tool for media protection and can provide promising results when combined with other defense mechanisms. Image watermarking can be used to protect the copyright of digital media by embedding a unique identifier that identifies the owner of the content. Image watermarking can also be used to verify the authenticity of digital media, such as images or videos, by ascertaining the watermark information. In this paper, a mathematical chaos-based image watermarking technique is proposed using discrete wavelet transform (DWT), chaotic map, and Laplacian operator. The DWT can be used to decompose… More >

Atheer Alrammahi^1,2, Hedieh Sajedi^1,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.84, No.1, pp. 887-918, 2025, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.063866 - 09 June 2025

Abstract Ensuring digital media security through robust image watermarking is essential to prevent unauthorized distribution, tampering, and copyright infringement. This study introduces a novel hybrid watermarking framework that integrates Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT), Redundant Discrete Wavelet Transform (RDWT), and Möbius Transformations (MT), with optimization of transformation parameters achieved via a Genetic Algorithm (GA). By combining frequency and spatial domain techniques, the proposed method significantly enhances both the imperceptibility and robustness of watermark embedding. The approach leverages DWT and RDWT for multi-resolution decomposition, enabling watermark insertion in frequency subbands that balance visibility and resistance to attacks. RDWT,… More >

Muath AlShaikh^*

Computer Systems Science and Engineering, Vol.49, pp. 435-453, 2025, DOI:10.32604/csse.2025.062432 - 13 May 2025

Abstract Many existing watermarking approaches aim to provide a Robust Reversible Data Hiding (RRDH) method. However, most of these approaches degrade under geometric and non-geometric attacks. This paper presents a novel RRDH approach using Polar Harmonic Fourier Moments (PHFMs) and linear interpolation. The primary objective is to enhance the robustness of the embedded watermark and improve the imperceptibility of the watermarked image. The proposed method leverages the high-fidelity and anti-geometric transformation properties of PHFMs. The image is transformed into the frequency domain of RRDH, after which compensation data is embedded using a two-dimensional RDH scheme. Linear… More >

Shu-Chuan Chu^1,2, Libin Fu², Jeng-Shyang Pan^2,3, Xingsi Xue⁴, Min Liu^5,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.83, No.2, pp. 3135-3163, 2025, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.062469 - 16 April 2025

Abstract Evolutionary algorithms have been extensively utilized in practical applications. However, manually designed population updating formulas are inherently prone to the subjective influence of the designer. Genetic programming (GP), characterized by its tree-based solution structure, is a widely adopted technique for optimizing the structure of mathematical models tailored to real-world problems. This paper introduces a GP-based framework (GP-EAs) for the autonomous generation of update formulas, aiming to reduce human intervention. Partial modifications to tree-based GP have been instigated, encompassing adjustments to its initialization process and fundamental update operations such as crossover and mutation within the algorithm.… More >

Conghuan Ye^1,*, Shenglong Tan¹, Shi Li¹, Jun Wang¹, Qiankun Zuo¹, Bing Xiong²

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.83, No.2, pp. 2927-2946, 2025, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.062051 - 16 April 2025

Abstract With the fast development of multimedia social platforms, content dissemination on social media platforms is becoming more popular. Social image sharing can also raise privacy concerns. Image encryption can protect social images. However, most existing image protection methods cannot be applied to multimedia social platforms because of encryption in the spatial domain. In this work, the authors propose a secure social image-sharing method with watermarking/fingerprinting and encryption. First, the fingerprint code with a hierarchical community structure is designed based on social network analysis. Then, discrete wavelet transform (DWT) from block discrete cosine transform (DCT) directly… More >