A secret transmission method via numeric data with a blind authentication capability

• Published in: Multimedia tools and applications 2018-07, Vol.77 (13), p.16623-16659
• Main Author: Lee, Che-Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algorithms; Communication; Computer Communication Networks; Computer Science; Computer simulation; Data Structures and Information Theory; Methods; Multimedia Information Systems; Special Purpose and Application-Based Systems; Websites
• ISSN: 1380-7501; 1573-7721
• DOI: 10.1007/s11042-017-5231-7

This work proposes a new self-authenticable secret communication method based on the secret sharing method via the use of numeric data on public websites. With the use of a ( k , k  + 1)-threshold self-authentication method which is transformed from Shamir’s ( k , n )-threshold secret sharing method, the proposed method transforms a confidential message into specific number of partial shares equipped with a self-authentication capability. These partial shares are then concealed in prepared numeric data by making use of the nature of numerals. In the proposed method, a public website is utilized as the communication platform for simulating the real connection situation between senders and recipients. Compared with other existing methods, the proposed method possesses the merits of creating the use of a new cover medium, providing the reliability guarantee of extracted confidential messages, and having good flexibility in hiding capacity. Experimental results and discussions on hiding strategy and security consideration are provided to show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.