Enhancing Security in Secret Sharing with Embedding of Shares in Cover Images

Abstract: A method is presented here in which a secret image is shared into n image shares using (k, n) threshold secret sharing. Further each image share is embedded in cover image. The original image can be reconstructed by applying reverse of the same embedding technique to obtain image shares from embedded cover images and by applying reverse of the same secret sharing scheme on at least k shares where k ≤ n. This technique uses highly reduced share size secret sharing and simple embedding technique. This technique enhances the security as created shares get embedded in cover images which help in not attracting attacker’s attention. Experimental results proves the reduced image share size, increased security, less computational complexity and increased peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR).

Keywords: Secret sharing; Embedding, Matrix Projection; Steganography; Information Security; Network Security