Secured and Quality-Optimized Image Steganography using K-LSB and AES with RGHS Enhancement

Image steganography is the process of hiding a message under a cover image. The main objective is to hide the secret text or image into an image by using k- Least Significant Bit (LSB) algorithm, improvise the visual quality by using Relative Global Histogram Stretching (RGHS) based on adaptive parameter acquisition. The secret message is protected and secured using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) method. The data is encrypted using pseudo-randomly generated keys to further improve security. Efficiency of the algorithm is estimated by Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR), where higher PSNR value gives the higher quality image.