Data Hiding by LSB Substitution Using Genetic Optimal Key-Permutation

The least significant bit (LSB) embedding method is one of the most commonly used techniques; it targets the LSB's of the host image to hide the data. This paper deals with three main steganography challenges (i.e. capacity, imperceptibility, and security). This is achieved by hybrid data hiding scheme incorporates LSB technique with a key-permutation method. The paper also proposes an optimal key permutation method using genetic algorithms for best key selection. Both normal and optimized methods are tested with standard images, varying both data size as well as key space. Final experimental results show decrement in computation time when increasing number of keys, at the same time system security improves.