Color image hiding based on the phase retrieval technique and Arnold transform.

Area of Science:

• Digital Image Processing
• Information Security
• Cryptography

Background:

• Existing image hiding techniques often lack robust security measures.
• The need for secure and efficient methods for embedding secret information within digital images is critical.
• Fractional Fourier Transform (FRFT) and Arnold Transform (ART) offer unique properties for image manipulation and encryption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel and secure method for color image hiding and extraction.
• To enhance information hiding security by utilizing cascaded phase iterative FRFT and ART.
• To verify the validity and efficiency of the proposed method through computer simulations.

Main Methods:

• Secret color image channels (R, G, B) are permuted using Arnold Transform (ART).
• Encrypted data is embedded into the blue channel of an enlarged host image using a cascaded phase iterative FRFT algorithm.
• Security is enhanced using multiple keys including random phase mask, wavelength, and transform parameters of ART and FRFT.

Main Results:

• The proposed method demonstrates enhanced security for information hiding.
• Computer simulations confirm the system's hiding capacity.
• Numerical results validate the effectiveness and efficiency of the technique.

Conclusions:

• The developed method provides a secure approach for color image hiding and extraction.
• The combination of FRFT and ART with phase retrieval significantly improves data security.
• The proposed technique is efficient and valid for practical applications in information security.