Multi-Level Color Image Security Using Advanced Image Cryptography & Audio Steganography

Abstract

Multimedia technology has advanced recently. Internet transmission of voice, video, and images is prevalent. Due to increased communication, data mountains could compromise data security. Moreover, the architecture's devices are compact and low-powered. Complex data security techniques require numerous rounds to secure, squandering gadgets' limited power source. Color image security is crucial today, and few studies have focused on it. Traditional data security techniques are inappropriate for digital color images, necessitating new ones. Thus, digital color image security requires a relatively advanced, low-energy, low-cost, high-data security method. The proposed research presents a multi-level hybrid digital color image security approach using advanced cryptography and audio steganography. The color test image is encrypted using Row-Round pixel scrambling and XOR algorithms, then hidden in the cover audio using frequency masking audio steganography. The multi-level security mechanism makes the inserted image hack-proof. Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR), Correlation coefficients, number of pixels change rate (NPCR), unified averaged changed intensity (UACI), Entropy, normalized cross-correlation (NCC), and Percentage change are calculated to evaluate the proposed method's efficiency and compared to state-of-the-art approaches.