Enhancement of embedding capacity and security in reversible steganography

Steganography is a technique used to hide a message inside an image. Reversible steganography aims at recovering cover image without distortions while extracting secret message at receiver side. The two main existing problems in steganography are, how to obtain high embedding capacity without compromising on the cover image quality, and confidentiality of embedded message. In this paper, we present a new technique of reversible steganography using IMNP algorithm with DES preprocessing of embedded message. IMNP algorithm allows to maintain good image quality and increases embedding capacity. DES preprocessing provides an extra layer of security to message. The experimental results show that the proposed technique outperforms existing techniques of steganography in terms of embedding capacity and image quality. It further provides good security to message.