An Image Encryption Algorithm Based on Improved Hilbert Curve Scrambling and Dynamic DNA Coding

• Published in: Entropy (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 25; no. 8; p. 1178
• Main Authors: Geng, Shengtao, Li, Jiahao, Zhang, Xuncai, Wang, Yanfeng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01-08-2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Algorithms; Analysis; bit-level scramble; ciphertext feedback; Data encryption; Decomposition; Discrete Wavelet Transform; DNA; DNA coding; DWT; Efficiency; Encryption; Hilbert curve; image encryption; Investment analysis; Pixels; Security; Uranium; Wavelet transforms
• ISSN: 1099-4300; 1099-4300
• DOI: 10.3390/e25081178

As an effective method for image security protection, image encryption is widely used in data hiding and content protection. This paper proposes an image encryption algorithm based on an improved Hilbert curve with DNA coding. Firstly, the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) decomposes the plaintext image by three-level DWT to obtain the high-frequency and low-frequency components. Secondly, different modes of the Hilbert curve are selected to scramble the high-frequency and low-frequency components. Then, the high-frequency and low-frequency components are reconstructed separately using the inverse discrete wavelet transform (IDWT). Then, the bit matrix of the image pixels is scrambled, changing the pixel value while changing the pixel position and weakening the strong correlation between adjacent pixels to a more significant correlation. Finally, combining dynamic DNA coding and ciphertext feedback to diffuse the pixel values improves the encryption effect. The encryption algorithm performs the scrambling and diffusion in alternating transformations of space, frequency, and spatial domains, breaking the limitations of conventional scrambling. The experimental simulation results and security analysis show that the encryption algorithm can effectively resist statistical attacks and differential attacks with good security and robustness.