Cover Processing-based Steganographic Model with Improved Security

Abstract

Steganography uses specialised techniques to conceal messages in different cover objects such as image or video so that only the sender and receiver know of the message's existence and are able to decipher it. Previous research conducted in the area has mainly focused on steganography and steganalysis techniques. This paper proposes a new model for steganography called Cover Processing-based Steganographic Model (CPSM) that processes the cover objects and transmits them in a way to improve the security of steganographic objects. A comprehensive demonstration based on information theory proves that CPSM provides improved security in terms of lower relative entropy as compared to previous models from the literature. Moreover, experimental tests show a decrease of the relative error between the cover and steganographic objects of up to 14%.