This paper presents a novel approach of building a secure data hiding technique in digital images. The image steganography technique takes the advantage of limited power of human visual system (HVS). It uses image as cover media for embedding secret message. The most important requirement for a steganographic algorithm is to be imperceptible while maximizing the size of the payload. In this paper a method is proposed to encrypt the secret bits of the message based on chaos theory before embedding into the cover image. A 3-3-2 LSB insertion method has been used for image steganography. Experimental results show a substantial improvement in the Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Image Fidelity (IF) value of the proposed technique over the base technique of 3-3-2 LSB insertion.

The two key issues related to steganography techniques are, statistical undetectability and picture quality. Image steganography takes the advantage of limited power of Human Visual System (HVS). The proposed framework offers an approach of secure data hiding technique in digital images. Novel scheme, presented encrypts meaningful secret data using nonlinear dynamics (chaos theory) before embedding into host or cover image. A basic LSB embedding method is used for encrypting data into cover image. Genetic Algorithm based pixel adjustment process is used to reduce the difference of error between the host image and its stego version with low distortions. The results of proposed scheme are compared with other steganographic algorithm using Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Structural Similarity (SSIM) index, color frequency test and StirMark analysis.