Data hiding via steganographic image transformation

This paper presents a new data hiding scheme via steganographic image trans formation, which is different from conventional data hiding techniques. The transformation is achieved in the frequency domain and the concept of Four ier filtering method is used. An input image is transformed into a fractal image, which can be used in Computer Graphic (CG) applications. One of the main advantages of this scheme is the amount of data to be hidden (embedded ) is equal to that of the host signal (generated fractal image) while it is in general limited in the conventional data hiding schemes. Also both the opened fractal image and the hidden original one can be properly used depen ding on the situation. Unauthorized users will not notice the "secret" orig inal image behind the Fractal image, but even if they know that there is a hidden image it will be difficult for them to estimate the original image f rom the transformed image. Only authorized users who know the proper keys c an regenerate the original image. The proposed method is applicable not onl y as a security tool for multimedia contents on web pages but also as a ste ganographic secret communication method through fractal images.