An Algorithm for Image encryption based on chaotic maps

Abstract

In recent years, the use of chaotic maps in encryption has become an attractive research area, due to the advantages of chaotic maps that make it suitable for use in cryptography. In this paper we present a new image encryption algorithm based on dividing the image into four equal elements, where the direction and the key of encryption of each element is different from other ones. Firstly, Arnold s Cat Map is used to permute the positions of the image pixels. Secondly, the permutated image is divided into four equal elements; thirdly, the content of each image element is diffused by performing the XOR bit operation among two image elements sequentially. Finally, the first element of the produced image is diffused by using the Henon Map. Each element is diffused by performing the XOR bit operation with the element that came before it. The decryption operation uses the secret key and the first element permutated to decrypt the encryption image to obtain the original image. The algorithm is validated using security analysis, and the experimental results demonstrate that the algorithm is simple and effective.