Image Steganography Using LSB and Hybrid Encryption Algorithms

Abstract

In today’s era of widespread web technology and cloud computing, ensuring data security has become a crucial concern across various industries. Instances of data breaches and vulnerabilities in cloud storage have emphasized the need for robust data protection and communication protocols, particularly in sectors like social media, military, and research. This research proposes a Multi-Level Steganography (MLS) algorithm that employs two encryption algorithms, AES and Blow-Fish, to secure the cover image and embed encryption keys as key images within the stego image. The proposed MLS algorithm incorporates a robust pixel randomization function to enhance the security of the encrypted data. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm effectively protects data with high Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) and low Mean Square Error (MSE) values, ensuring superior image quality, reliable encryption, and decryption of secret messages. The utilization of hybrid encryption with AES and BlowFish algorithms further strengthens the algorithm’s security by augmenting the complexity of the encryption process.