Layers Based Image Steganography using LSB
Sai Kiran Reddy Kadari Aravind Goud. S
Electronics and Communication Electronics and Communication
Engineering Engineering
Vardhaman College Of Engineering Vardhaman College Of Engineering
Hyderabad, India. Hyderabad, India.
kadariskr@gmail.com isatturkid@gmail.com
Abstract—Steganography is that the method of hiding the key
data inside any sort of digital media. Idea behind stenography is to
cover the presence of knowledge in any digital medium like audio,
video, image, etc. If an individual views the thing during which the
knowledge is hidden inside, he is not going to have any indication
that there's any sort of hidden information. So the person won't try
to decrypt the knowledge. Image Steganography is one of the
methods used for hiding the knowledge within the cover image.
Types of Steganography include Image to image, Text to image.
Image to text, Video to voice and Voice to video. during this project
we are using Text to Image Steganography. We can use text to
image Steganography for several confidential purposes like
defense information ,secure communication between police and
also various matters of national and international importance. In
Text to Image Steganography messages are hidden inside a picture
by replacing each pixel's least significant bit with the bits of the
message to be hidden. Process is by inserting the confidential data
bits in LSB positions of original image i.e. we take binary
representation of the info which must be hidden and overwrite LSB
of every byte within the duvet image. This method is extremely
efficient because it leads to very minor distortions of the image
which is extremely much negligible to human eyes.
Implementation is completed using Matlab with the assistance of
Graphical User Interface(GUI). Additional to LSB Algorithm,
Length Layer, Message Layer, Password layer and Password are
added to give additional protection to the info which must be
transmitted with secrecy. Data bits hidden into cover image can be
manipulated by use of random functions for location of LSB
Substitution.
Keywords—GUI, LSB, Layers, Information Concealing.
I INTRODUCTION
Image steganography may be a security technique of hiding the
info within the image during a such how that existence of knowledge
is understood only to sender and receiver i.e. data is hidden to
others.Here the approach of hiding data within a picture file is Least
Significant Bit Substitution. During this method we take binary
representation of knowledge which must hidden and overwrite LSB
of the each byte within the duvet image.This method leads to very
minor distortion of the image which is extremely much negligible to
the human eyes.We Prefer LSB over MSB because if We use MSB
intensity at pixel value changes which inturn results in change of
visibility.We can see the difference between LSB and MSB
Substitution in the below Figure 1.4.The Human sensory system
(HVS) cannot detect changes within the colour or intensity of a pixel
when the LSB bit is modified. This is often psycho-visual redundancy
since this will be used as a plus to store information within the bits
and yet notice no major difference in the image. Additon to the LSB
Algorithm conept of layers is being introduced.Even if the intruder or
hacker tries to get access to the data using steganalysis he will not be
able to discover it .This is because of layers of protection which is
only known to sender and receiver.In this case there is no chance of
Dr. D. Krishna
Electronics and Communication
Engineering
Vardhaman College Of Engineering
Hyderabad, India.
dkrishna@vardhaman.com
Intrusion unless and until sender is the culprit .And Further protection
is given by use of random functions for storing secret data in random
locations of the cover image.
II EXISTING SYSTEM
Currently many of Image Steganography models based on LSB are
the most common and efficient algorithm. Least Significant Bit of
the Cover Image is replaced by data which needs to be transmitted
with secrecy. This overwriting algorithm is efficient as it doesn’t
reveal the existence of data to intruders. Even though it is the most
efficient algorithm, there are some tools which are used for
disclosing Steganography such as steganalysis tools. Addition of
layers gives extra sense of protection to both receiver and sender.
There is no possibility of an intrusion unless and until sender is the
culprit or involved in intrusion. Thus, this message gives an edge
over other conventional methods for protection purposes.
III PROPOSED DESIGN
Encryption Block Diagram
In our proposed design we take cover image and secret message
which needs to be encoded in the image for transmitting with secrecy.
Then we subject them to LSB algorithm for encryption as shown in
the above Figure. Before encryption we add layers of length
,message, password and password key for giving extra sense of
protection to both receiver and sender. In normal Steganography
techniques there is chance of intrusion by use of steganalysis tools
.But in this case by addition of layers secret message cannot be
subjected intrusion unless and until sender is the culprit. So this gives
more protection than conventional methods. Here we use only lsb
algorithm where we replace least significant bits of cover image with
data which needs to transmitted with secrecy because intensity of
pixel value doesn’t change much. Thus in turn visibility of image
doesn't change much .Even though there is minor distortion in the
image but it is not visible to naked eye due to psycho visual
redundancy. After entering layers of length, message, password and
password key and clicking on the OK button in the GUI designed for
this purpose as shown in the below figure. Then an encoded image is
generated in the file section .This encoded image is then transmitted
to receiver where decryption takes place.

Decryption Block Diagram
In decryption part we subject encoded image to decryption
process where secret message is retrieved from the cover image. Then
we to enter length layer, message layer ,password layer and password
key for retrieving secret data as shown in the below Figure .After
entering the correct layers and password we get the secret message.
If password or anyone of the layers is entered wrong then secret
message will not be retrieved by the receiver .In addition upon
entering wrong details a dialog box appears displaying “you have
entered wrong password or anyone of the layers”.This gives more
protection to secret transmission of the data for confidential purposes.
Thus secret data cannot be subjected to intrusion unless and until
sender is involved in the process of intrusion. Decryption GUI is
shown in the below figure where we have to load the encoded image
which needs to be decoded. Then upon entering all the details in the
text field and clicking on OK button we get secret message in the last
Text Box .
IV IMPLEMENTATION DETAILS
Encryption:
Step 1:Run the MATLAB code written for encryption .
Step 2:A Graphical User Interface will be opened as shown in
Encryption GUI Figure where we have to upload the image to be
encoded with secret data.
Step 3:Upload the image using Load Image Button provided on
the Graphical User Interface.
Step 4:After Uploading the image ,Enter the message to encoded
within the image in Text Field Provided in the Graphical User
Interface.
Step 5:Now enter the layer of message length in the provided text
field.
Step 6:Enter the layer of message.
Step 7:Enter the layer for password.
Step 8:Finally enter the password for encryption which is also
known as key for stego file.
Step 9:After filling all the Layers Click on OK button . (Then an
encode image is generated in the our file section
Decryption:
Step 1: Run the MATLAB code written for decryption.
Step 2: A Graphical User Interface will be opened as shown in
the Decryption GUI Figure Where we have to upload the encoded
image for decoding it.
Step 3: Upload the encoded image by using load button .
Step 4: Enter Layers of Message, length, Password and
Password(key).
Step 5:After filling all the text-fields click on OK button. (Secret
message will be displayed if all layers and password are correct
V RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Accuracy plays an important role in this project. The projects
with accurate results have more scope in real world for its
applicability to use.To eliminate misunderstanding between
sender and receiver and for exact decryption of data we used
layers along with password(key). The right output is very
much important in steganography when used for defense
applications or that of national importance. However, there
might be a slight variation in the decoded image but they are
negligible. The accuracy of the system can be tested using
some theoretical calculations like peak signal to noise ratio.
Image that is encoded with a secret data is successfully
decoded on the receiver’s end upon entering the correct
layers and password.If any of the layers or password is
entered wrong then secret data is not received.Thus receiver
if genuine must be careful while entering layers and
password.The message encoded in the image is recovered
with full accuracy on receivers even though the size of image
increases.To improve this we can perform compression after
steganography so that there is no change in size of image.

Respectively the figures in the anticlockwise show output at
encryption part with GUI, GUI after entering correct details I.e when
secret data is retrieved by the receiver and GUI after wrong details.
In first case we have to load the image and enter the message to be
encoded in the image. Then we have to enter message layer ,length
layer and password layer and password key and then click on OK
,then an encoded image will be generated in the file section. In
second secret message is retrieved upon entering all details correctly
and then clicking on OK .In the third case upon entering anyone of
the layers or password wrong then secret message is not retrieved
and a dialog box is displayed showing “you have entered password
or anyone of the layers as wrong.
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