High payload image steganography scheme with minimum distortion based on distinction grade value method

Presently, the design and development of an effective image steganography system are facing several challenges including the low capacity, poor robustness and imperceptibility. To surmount such limitations, it is important to improve the capacity and security of the steganography system while maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR). Based on these factors, this study is aimed to design and develop a distinction grade value (DGV) method to effectively embed the secret data into a cover image for achieving a robust steganography scheme. The design and implementation of the proposed scheme involved three phases. First, a new encryption method called the shuffle the segments of secret message (SSSM) was incorporated with an enhanced Huffman compression algorithm to improve the text security and payload capacity of the scheme. Second, the Fibonacci-based image transformation decomposition method was used to extend the pixel's bit from 8 to 12 for improving the robustness of the scheme. Third, an improved embedding method was utilized by integrating a random block/pixel selection with the DGV and implicit secret key generation for enhancing the imperceptibility of the scheme. The performance of the proposed scheme is assessed experimentally to determine the imperceptibility, security, robustness and capacity. The resistance of the proposed scheme is tested against the statistical, chi(2), Histogram and non-structural steganalysis detection attacks. The obtained PSNR values revealed the accomplishment of the higher imperceptibility and security by the proposed DGV scheme while maintaining higher capacity compared to the reported findings. In short, the proposed steganography scheme outperformed the commercially available data hiding schemes, thereby resolved the existing issues.