An Edge Detection with LSB and AES Encryption Based Image Steganography

The protection of confidential data has been a critical concern since ancient times. Steganography and cryptography are two key techniques used to enhance data security. Cryptography transforms confidential data into an unreadable format, while steganography conceals the very existence of the communication. Both are crucial for safeguarding information in today's rapidly expanding networks. This paper proposes a novel method for secure data transmission over unsecured channels. The process begins by encrypting the secret data using the AES algorithm, which ensures robust security even if the hidden communication is detected. The encrypted data is then embedded into a cover medium at its edge locations, identified using a Sobel edge detector, and placed with the help of a hash function. The method employs the 1-bit Least Significant Bit (LSB) technique, implemented in C#, offering high data hiding capacity and minimal distortion in the stego image. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach effectively conceals data while maintaining the quality of the cover image, making it highly suitable for secure data transmission.