PixelCrypt

Message Hiding Inside Image Using Image Processing

Team Members

1. Arshit Jolapara
2. Azim Baldiwala

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Overview

PixelCrypt provides two methods for hiding messages inside images: lossy and lossless encoding and decoding.

1. Lossy Encoding and Decoding

• Method: Uses the Least Significant Bit (LSB) technique to hide messages within the image's pixels.
• Process: Converts the message into bits and embeds them in the image’s pixel RGB values. End delimiters mark the end of the message.
• Advantages:
  • Fast
  • Suitable for small messages
  • Easy to implement
• Disadvantages:
  • Noticeable image changes with longer messages

2. Lossless Encoding and Decoding

• Method: Similar to lossy, but hides message bits in randomly selected pixels based on a user-provided key.
• Process: Generates a random number using a key for encoding and requires the same key for decoding.
• Advantages:
  • Preserves image quality
  • Requires a key for decoding
• Disadvantages:
  • More complex to implement

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Dependencies

• Python 3.5 or later
• Flask
• Pillow
• Python-OpenCV
• Numpy

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Project Files

1. app.py: Backend file for Flask, contains all web routes.
2. hide_lossy.py: Implements the lossy message hiding method.
3. hide_lossless.py: Implements the lossless message hiding method.
4. templates/: Directory containing HTML files for the GUI.
5. static/: Directory with server data (user images, GUI dependencies).
6. Sample_images/: Contains sample image dataset.

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How to Run

Method 1: Using Flask GUI

1. Run app.py.
2. Open http://localhost:5000 in a web browser.

Method 2: Using Console

1. Open Command Prompt.
2. Execute hide_lossy.py or hide_lossless.py for console-based applications.