A Novel Approach to Image Steganography Using Pixel Differencing for Better Data Hiding

Securing confidential information over communication channels is critical in today's data transmission era. Steganography, a data protection technique, enables covert communication. However, many existing steganographic algorithms face challenges in balancing the hidden data size with the quality of the carrier image after embedding. This paper presents a novel steganographic method that employs pixel value differencing to address these challenges more effectively. The proposed approach enhances neighboring pixel optimization, allowing for data concealment with high imperceptibility. Experimental results demonstrate strong carrier image quality, with Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) values ranging from 45.453 to 62.362 dB and Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM) values between 0.990 and 0.999. This method significantly outperforms existing techniques, establishing it as a cutting-edge solution.