A new steganography algorithm based on color histograms for data embedding into raw video streams

Abstract

Steganography, embedding secret data into unsuspected objects, has emerged as a significant sub-discipline of data-embedding methods. While mostly applied to still images in the past, it has become very popular for video streams recently. When steganographic methods are applied to digital video streams, the selection of target pixels, which are used to store the secret data, is especially crucial for an effective and successful-embedding process; if pixels are not selected carefully, undesired spatial and temporal perception problems occur in the stego-video. In this paper, two new steganographic algorithms are proposed utilizing similar histograms and dissimilar histograms. Both algorithms are based on selecting appropriate pixel approaches by focusing on perceptibility and capacity parameters of the cover video. When compared to traditional steganographic techniques, they not only result in improved temporal and spatial perception levels in the stego-video but also offer a relatively high data-embedding capacity. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.