Abstract: This paper proposes a robust reversible information hiding scheme based on DCT coefficients modification in JPEG images. The mean of six consecutive DCT coefficients close to zero is found. Since the mean of these six coefficients changes very little after compression, robustness can be achieved. The coefficients are modified to embed information using two different levels to resist attack. If the stego-image is not recompressed, the secret information can be correctly extracted, and the original image can be recovered. If the stego-image is recompressed, the secret information is still extractable without error, but the original image cannot be recovered. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme is effective after recompression attack with Q = 85 or above, and the stego-images have good visual quality.

Key words: adaptive embedding, reversible data hiding, robustness