ENHANCED IMAGE STEGANOGRAPHY: LSB SUBSTITUTION WITH RUN-LENGTH ENCODED SECRET DATA

Image steganography has emerged as a vital technique for secure communication by concealing sensitive information within innocuous digital media. This study proposes an enhanced image steganography method that integrates Least Significant Bit (LSB) substitution with run-length encoding (RLE) of the secret data to improve embedding efficiency and reduce detectability. By applying run-length encoding prior to embedding, the secret message is compressed, enabling a greater volume of information to be hidden within the cover image while maintaining minimal perceptual distortion. The proposed approach adaptively selects embedding regions based on local image characteristics to further increase imperceptibility and robustness against steganalysis. Experimental results demonstrate that the method achieves higher peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity index (SSIM) compared to conventional LSB substitution techniques without compression. This research highlights the potential of combining data compression and adaptive embedding strategies to advance the state of image steganography, offering a practical solution for secure data hiding in modern digital communication environments.