README.md

KCES-An Efficient and Secure Steganography Method

Introduction

This repository implements a steganography method that combines AES encryption with K-means clustering and LSB steganography. The method first encrypts the plaintext using AES encryption. Then, the ECC encripts the AES key . Then, the image's pixels are clustered using the K-means clustering technique. Finally, cluster-wise steganography using LSB technique is performed to embed the encrypted plaintext into the clustered images. These stego-images along with ECC Encripted AES key is sent to the Receiver for decryption.

Encryption

1. AES and ECC encryption:

   • Run the main_encrypt.cpp file in the Encryption-AES directory.
   • Enter the plaintext to be encrypted.
   • The AES algorithm will generate a random key to encrypt the plaintext.
   • The ECC algorithm will encrypt the AES key and send the encrypted "Key.txt" file to the "AES Decryption" folder.
   • The encrypted plaintext is stored in an "example.txt" file and sent to the "K-Means LSB Encription" folder.

2. K-means and LSB encryption:

   • Make sure that the image (testimg.png) is in the same directory and run the k_lsb.c file.
   • cluster[number] are images after k-means clustering, and Cluster[number] are the images generated after LSB encryption.

Decryption

1. LSB Decryption:

   • Check if all the final Cluster[number] images obtained from above and the stb_image folder are in the same directory. If not, wait for 5-6 seconds and check again.
   • Run the lsb_decrypt.c file.

2. AES Decryption:

   • Run the main_decrypt.cpp file in the Decryption-AES directory.
   • Enter the key, which should be the same as the encryption key.