Layer multiplexing and DNA based color image encryption

Abstract A layer multiplexing-based encrypted image scheme for DNA color images is proposed. Firstly, a memristor is added to the Sprott-B chaotic system to make it a fourth-order memristorised hyper-chaotic system. The hyperchaotic system has better pseudo-randomness. The encryption system proposed generates the initial value of the system by SHA3-256 function to achieve “One image, one secret”. The chaotic sequence is generated by a memory hyperchaotic system for encrypting the image. The encryption process includes image zero complements, image chunking, DNA encryption, layer multiplexing, DNA decryption, and improved XOR diffusion. The encrypted images are analyzed by Matlab. The pixel distribution of the encrypted image is verified to be homogeneous by pixel histogram analysis. The encryption system is tested to have good resistance to shear attacks and noise attacks. The encryption system also has a good encryption effect by information entropy test. Experiments show that the encryption system proposed has a short encryption time and decryption time.