Data Hiding in Binary Image

Abstract

In the recent decade, an increasingly large number of digital binary images have been used in business. Handwritten signatures captured by electronic signing pads are digitally stored and used as records for credit card payment by many department stores and for parcel delivery by major courier services such as the United Parcel Service (UPS). Word processing software such as Microsoft Word allows a user to store his/her signature in a binary image file for inclusion at specified locations of an electronic document. The documents signed in such a way can be sent directly to a fax machine or distributed across a network. The unauthorized use of a signature, such as copying it onto an unauthorized payment, is becoming a serious concern. In addition, a variety of important documents, such as social security records, insurance information, and financial documents, have also been digitized and stored. Because of the ease to copy and edit digital images, annotation and authentication of binary images have become very important.