Steganography in Bitmap Files $($Python Programming$)$

$1.$ Objective

The objective of this project is to develop a program that applies steganography to image files. Students will have the option to use either JPEG or bitmap $($BMP$)$ files for their steganography project. The goal is to embed secret messages within images and retrieve these messages, providing a practical application of steganographic techniques.

$2.$ Scope

Students are required to:

$-$ Develop a program that embeds a text message into an image file and extracts the message from the image.

$-$ Ensure minimal visual alteration of the image due to message embedding.

$-$ Handle various message lengths and image sizes efficiently.

Students have the option to choose between JPEG and BMP files for their project:

$-$ JPEG Files: Higher complexity due to lossy compression. Max $100$ points out of $100$ points.

$-$ Bitmap $($BMP$)$ Files: Simpler implementation with uncompressed data. Max $95$ points out of $100$ points.

$3.$ Deliverables

Students must submit the following:

$1.$ Source Code: Complete code for both the message embedding and extraction programs.

$2.$ Documentation: A $1-$page report written in $11-$point Times New Roman style, including:

$-$ Description of the steganographic technique used.

$-$ Explanation of the embedding and extraction processes.

$-$ Instructions for running the programs.

$3.$ Sample Files: Images with embedded messages and the corresponding extracted messages.

$4.$ Requirements

$-$ Programming Language: Any programming language of choice, with clear instructions provided for compiling and running the code.

$-$ Libraries$/$Tools: Any image manipulation libraries or tools may be used, with documentation on their usage and dependencies.

$-$ Techniques: Use least$-$significant$-$bit $($LSB$)$ or a similar technique for message embedding.

$-$ Error Handling: Graceful handling of potential errors, such as invalid image files or excessively long messages.

$5.$ Inputs and Outputs

Input Guidelines:

$-$ Embed Message Program:

$-$ Command: embed$\_$message

$-$ Inputs:

$-$ : Path to the input image file $($e$.$g$.,`$input$.$jpg$`$ or $`$input$.$bmp$`).$ The file size must not exceed $5$ MB$.$

$-$ : Path to save the image file with the embedded message $($e$.$g$.,`$output$.$jpg$`$ or output.bmp$).$

$-$ : Text message to be embedded in the image.

$-$ Character Set: ASCII characters only.

$-$ Length Limit: The message length must not exceed $256$ characters.

$-$ Encoding: Messages should be encoded in standard ASCII $(7-$bit$),$ avoiding special or non$-$printable characters.

$-$ Extract Message Program:

$-$ Command: $`$extract$\_$message $`$

$-$ Input:

$-``$: Path to the image file containing the embedded message $($e$.$g$.,`$output$.$jpg$`$ or $`$output$.$bmp$`).$ The file size must not exceed $5$ MB$.$

Output Guidelines:

$-$ Embed Message Program:

$-$ Console Output: Confirmation of successful embedding or an error message if the process fails.

$-$ File Output: An image file with the embedded message.

$-$ Extract Message Program:

$-$ Console Output: Extracted message $($in ASCII format$)$ or an error message if the extraction fails.

$6.$ How$-$To Section

How to Embed a Message:

$1.$ Open a terminal or command prompt.

$2.$ Navigate to the directory containing the $`$embed$\_$message$`$ program.

$3.$ Run the command in the format:

embed$\_$message

$4.$ Verify the output image file to ensure the message has been embedded.

How to Extract a Message:

$1.$ Open a terminal or command prompt.

$2.$ Navigate to the directory containing the $`$extract$\_$message$`$ program.

$3.$ Run the command in the format:

extract$\_$message

$4.$ Review the console output to see the extracted message.

$7$ Additional Details

Steganographic Technique Details:

$-$ Technique: Use the Least Significant Bit $($LSB$)$ method or a similar technique for embedding the message.

$-$ Overview: LSB involves altering the least significant bits of pixel values or DCT coefficients to encode the message without significantly changing the image$$s appearance.

$-$ Advantages: Simple to implement and generally preserves image quality.

$-$ Limitations: Limited capacity for large messages; may be detectable with certain analysis techniques.

Image Constraints:

$-$ JPEG Dimensions: Recommended range for width and height is between $256$x$256$ and $2048$x$2048$ pixels.

$-$ JPEG Color Depth: JPEG images should be $24-$bit color depth $(8$ bits per channel for RGB$).$

$-$ BMP Dimensions: No specific limits$,$ but ensure image size remains manageable for processing.

$-$ BMP Color Depth: BMP images typically use $24-$bit color depth.