Password storage protection using audio steganography with AES encryption

Yadav, Nikhil Adhikrao (2024) Password storage protection using audio steganography with AES encryption. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Securing end to end audio communication is very important but it is also having so many issues. This project presents a novel approach to secure password storage by combining audio steganography with AES encryption and SCRYPT hashing. The process starts with the user uploading an audio file and entering a password to be hidden. The original password is inserted into the audio file using Least Significant Bit (LSB) encoding by securing that the hidden data remains invisible. Following this the password experiences hashing using SCRYPT by generating a hash that serves as the key for AES encryption. The AES algorithm then encrypts the hashed password by producing ciphertext. The encryption and decryption processes have been measured for performance with results showing variations in encryption process time. The avalanche effect has been evaluated to test the sensitivity of the encryption algorithm to changes in the input password, revealing consistent high sensitivity with scores ranging from 48.23 to 51.62 which shows strong data encryption. For decryption the process includes retrieving the ciphertext from the steganographic audio which is going to extract and validate the hashed password and comparing it to the original hash. The decryption time is recorded and compared to the encryption time to evaluate performance. This approach is going to increase password security by combining steganography with advanced cryptographic techniques by having both secure storage and good data protection.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Supervisors:	Name Email Pantridge, Michael UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Audio Steganography; AES Encryption; SCRYPT Hashing; Password Protection; LSB Encoding
Subjects:	Q Science > QA Mathematics > Electronic computers. Computer science T Technology > T Technology (General) > Information Technology > Electronic computers. Computer science H Social Sciences > HM Sociology > Information Science > Communication Q Science > QA Mathematics > Computer software > Computer Security T Technology > T Technology (General) > Information Technology > Computer software > Computer Security
Divisions:	School of Computing > Master of Science in Cyber Security
Depositing User:	Ciara O'Brien
Date Deposited:	31 Jul 2025 13:24
Last Modified:	31 Jul 2025 13:24
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/8385

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