TimeScram: Leveraging Temporal Randomization for Image Encryption, Data Hiding and Secure Visual Communications

Safeguarding visual data is crucial in today’s digital world. This paper introduces an image encryption method based on time-seeded randomization, QR decomposition, and Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) methods. In contrast to the previously applied scrambling methods, the proposed scrambling method conversely implements dynamic scrambling using randomization on the current system time. This method ensures the security of the secret data. Experimental outcomes show that this method is efficient. The PSNR value of stego image is always >30 dB for different alpha values. This integrated methodology is a promising solution for image encryption, data hiding, and security of information in various practical cases.