Secure transmission over stego images with authentication and error correction

Abstract

Based on image sharing with utilization of the set partitioning in hierarchical trees (SPIHT)-generated bit stream of integer wavelet transform coefficients and the Shamir threshold scheme over a Galois field, we present a new scheme for secure image transmission. Our algorithm integrates the Chinese remainder theorem with a control code idea to design check bits for authentication and error correction and embeds the produced shadows and check bits into cover images to form stego images for transmission. Moreover, our algorithm adopts the advantages of SPIHT features to generate compact shadows with progressive reconstruction. As a result, the algorithm simultaneously possesses high performance of both authentication and error correction and is highly suitable for image transmission over networks in noisy channels, reaches excellent visual quality of stego images, and achieves real time progressive and perfect reconstruction of the secret image. Experimental results have demonstrated these promising features of the proposed method.