TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter one

introduction to the study

1.1   Background to the Study   --------------------------------------------------

1.2 Statements of the Problem   --------------------------------------------------

1.3   Research Question    --------------------------------------------------------

1.4   Purpose of the Study --------------------------------------------------------

1.5   Scope of the Study ----------------------------------------------------------

1.6 Significance of Study ---------------------------------------------------------

1.7 Limitation of the Study ------------------------------------------------------

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms -------------------------------------------

CHAPTER TWO

 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction to the Study -------------------------------------------------

2.2 Current Literature Review ------------------------------------------------

2.3 Relevant Theories of the Review ----------------------------------------

2.4 Summary of the Chapter --------------------------------------------------

Chapter three

research Methodology

3.1 Research Design ------------------------------------------------------------

3.1 System Analysis -----------------------------------------------------------

3.2 System Design -------------------------------------------------------------

3.3 File Design -----------------------------------------------------------------

3.4 Input/Output Design ----------------------------------------------------

3.4.1 Input Design ------------------------------------------------------------

3.4.2 Output Design ----------------------------------------------------------

3.5 Instrumentation/Materials ----------------------------------------------

3.5.1 Hardware Requirement -----------------------------------------------

3.5.2 Software Requirement ------------------------------------------------

Chapter four

program IMPLEMENTATION/DOCUMENTATION

4.0 Choice of Programing Language --------------------------------------

4.1 Program Specification ---------------------------------------------------

4.1.1 Encryption Process ----------------------------------------------------

4.1.2 Decryption Process ----------------------------------------------------

4.2 Program Flowchart b----------------------------------------------------

4.3 Sample Input/Output Pages -------------------------------------------

4.3.1 Sample Input Pages(Encryption) ----------------------------------

4.3.2 Sample Output Page (Decryption) --------------------------------

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Summary --------------------------------------------------------------

5.2 Conclusion ------------------------------------------------------------

5.3 Recommendation ----------------------------------------------------

References -----------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix ------------------------------------------------------------------

 ABSTRACT

Chapter one

Introduction

1.1   Background to the study

Currently, the digital information revolution has brought significant changes in our society and daily routines. In line with the revolution, Internet and wireless network offer ubiquitous channels to deliver and exchange information.  Therefore, public information exchange is secured by using an encryption method where a secret data can be encrypted to prevent the content  from  being  intercepted.  However,  with  the technological  advancement  of  information  security,  most  Internet  users  are not  aware that  sending  encrypted  messages  will  draw  unnecessary  attention  to  malicious  black hats such as crackers and hackers. This is because the encrypted data appears as a string of gibberish data that might arouse suspicion. Moreover, there is a possibility of illegal exploitation attempts to the vulnerability of the encrypted messages due to curiosity and inquisitiveness of a hacker. As a result, the secret data which has been encrypted could be   illegally   intercepted,   unauthorized   tampered   or   even   damaged   during   data transmission.

In order to alleviate the issue mentioned above, steganography is introduced as an alternative design to conceal a secret data into an unsuspicious cover-object so that it can  be  sent  stealthily  through  a  public  communication  channel  without  drawing  any unnecessary attention of the black hats.

Steganography is derived from the findings of Johannes Trithemus (1462-1516) entitled  Steganographia  which  comes  from  the  Greek  words  (στεγανό-ς,  γραυ-ειν), steganos literally means “covered”; and graphia means “writing”. Eventually the entire

definition is defined as covered writing (Petitcolas et al., 1999).

 1.2 Statements of the problem

Over the years, numerous steganography techniques that embed secret data into cover-objects such as image, audio, video  etc. have been invented and implemented. However, in  the  current  image-based  steganography  technology,  there  are  several

problems arise due to               

i.        Distortion produced in a stego-image after embedding a secret data.

There are certain existing schemes such as Hide and Seek 4.1 and Hide in the Picture 2.1 result in a distorted stego-image after embedding a secret data. Due to  this  factor,  the  stego-image  produced  is  able  to  raise  suspicion  and  can  be clearly   distinguished   by   an   attacker.   Thus,   researches   on   alleviating   the distortion problem in the stego-image need to be carried out.

ii.      There  is  a  rest