Frequency-domain transformation of audio signals for image-based encoding schemes

Steganography, the art of concealing information within seemingly innocuous cover media, has emerged as a critical technique for secure communication and data protection. This paper presents a new approach to improving the LSB steganography method, focusing on concealing an encryption key within a digital image using the Fourier transform and randomizing the data’s location. We apply this concept to increase the security of the LSB technique by hiding the key for the data in the Fourier transform of an image, using random non-data pixels. This method enables the use of encryption without prior knowledge of the key, since the key itself is embedded in the image with our proposed frequency-spectrum steganographic method. The scheme disrupts the regular pattern of LSB embedding, making data extraction more difficult and thereby increasing resistance to steganalysis and cryptanalysis, which enhances overall security. The unique qualities of this method can be useful for specific applications and may inspire further research. We implemented the proposal by embedding a short audio file in an RGB image using MATLAB.