Authentication with Distortion Criteria

In a variety of applications, there is a need to authenticate content that has experienced legitimate editing in addition to potential tampering attacks. We develop one formulation of this problem based on a strict notion of security, and characterize and interpret the associated information-theoretic performance limits. The results can be viewed as a natural generalization of classical approaches to traditional authentication. Additional insights into the structure of such systems and their behavior are obtained by further specializing the results to Bernoulli and Gaussian cases. The associated systems are shown to be substantially better in terms of performance and/or security than commonly advocated approaches based on data hiding and digital watermarking. Finally, the formulation is extended to obtain efficient layered authentication system constructions.Comment: 22 pages, 10 figure

Hidden and Uncontrolled - On the Emergence of Network Steganographic Threats

Network steganography is the art of hiding secret information within innocent network transmissions. Recent findings indicate that novel malware is increasingly using network steganography. Similarly, other malicious activities can profit from network steganography, such as data leakage or the exchange of pedophile data. This paper provides an introduction to network steganography and highlights its potential application for harmful purposes. We discuss the issues related to countering network steganography in practice and provide an outlook on further research directions and problems.Comment: 11 page

A constructive and unifying framework for zero-bit watermarking

In the watermark detection scenario, also known as zero-bit watermarking, a watermark, carrying no hidden message, is inserted in content. The watermark detector checks for the presence of this particular weak signal in content. The article looks at this problem from a classical detection theory point of view, but with side information enabled at the embedding side. This means that the watermark signal is a function of the host content. Our study is twofold. The first step is to design the best embedding function for a given detection function, and the best detection function for a given embedding function. This yields two conditions, which are mixed into one `fundamental' partial differential equation. It appears that many famous watermarking schemes are indeed solution to this `fundamental' equation. This study thus gives birth to a constructive framework unifying solutions, so far perceived as very different.Comment: submitted to IEEE Trans. on Information Forensics and Securit

A New Digital Watermarking Algorithm Using Combination of Least Significant Bit (LSB) and Inverse Bit

In this paper, we introduce a new digital watermarking algorithm using least significant bit (LSB). LSB is used because of its little effect on the image. This new algorithm is using LSB by inversing the binary values of the watermark text and shifting the watermark according to the odd or even number of pixel coordinates of image before embedding the watermark. The proposed algorithm is flexible depending on the length of the watermark text. If the length of the watermark text is more than ((MxN)/8)-2 the proposed algorithm will also embed the extra of the watermark text in the second LSB. We compare our proposed algorithm with the 1-LSB algorithm and Lee's algorithm using Peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR). This new algorithm improved its quality of the watermarked image. We also attack the watermarked image by using cropping and adding noise and we got good results as well.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures and 4 tables; Journal of Computing, Volume 3, Issue 4, April 2011, ISSN 2151-961

An Efficient Approach to Secure Versatile Data File in Video using Forbidden Zone Data Hiding Technique

Video Steganography is a technique in which we can hide all types of files with any extension into a carrying Video file. In this dissertation, we are using two main terminology that is host file and carrier file where host file is a hidden file (any kind of file like text file, image file, and audio/video file) and carrier file must be a video file. The main motivation of this dissertation is to secure transferring of data by using steganography and cryptography technique. It is concerned with embedding information in an innocuous cover media in a secure and robust manner. In this dissertation we are using Forbidden Zone Data Hiding technique where no alteration is required in host signal range during data hiding process.To securely transferring the data file, we use video data hiding and making use of correction capacity of repeat accumulate code with superiority of forbidden zone data hiding. Using this approach we can also hide and transfer the large video file whose size is larger than cover file in secure manner. The main advantage of using video file in hiding information is the added security against of the third party or unintended receiver due to the relative complexity of video compared to image and audio file

Multilevel Steganography to Improve Secret Communication

This chapter presents multilevel audio steganography, which describes a new model for hidden communication in secret communication technology. At least two embedding methods are used in such a way that the second method will use the first method as a carrier. The proposed method has several potential benefits in hidden communication. This method can be used to increase the level of security while transmitting the confidential information over public channels or internet and also can be used to provide two or more information hiding solutions simultaneously. The performance of the proposed method in terms of imperceptibility, capacity & security is measured through different experiments

Security in Wireless Sensor Networks: Issues and Challenges

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is an emerging technology that shows great promise for various futuristic applications both for mass public and military. The sensing technology combined with processing power and wireless communication makes it lucrative for being exploited in abundance in future. The inclusion of wireless communication technology also incurs various types of security threats. The intent of this paper is to investigate the security related issues and challenges in wireless sensor networks. We identify the security threats, review proposed security mechanisms for wireless sensor networks. We also discuss the holistic view of security for ensuring layered and robust security in wireless sensor networks.Comment: 6 page