Data Hiding and Image Authentication for Color-Palette Images

Abstract

In this paper, a novel method for simultaneously embedding binary data and fragile watermark signal within digital color-palette images is proposed. The color-palette of an image is first re-sorted from dark-to-bright, which makes the palette colors in the unique order even when the image is re-saved by other applications. Moreover a data hiding method for replacing the palette index is designed. The even-odd relation between two pixels is utilized for hiding any form of binary data. Finally, a novel method that embeds fragile watermark signals within color-palette images is also proposed in this study. The fragile watermark signals are embedded in the central pixel of every block. Experimental results show the feasibility and practicability of the proposed approaches. 33× (KEYWORD: Data Hiding, Image Authentication, Fragile Watermark, Color-Palette Image).