Optimization of the LSB Steganography model in images using Ant Colony Algorithm

Cybersecurity is a recurring topic in works on technology and, within this spectrum, the secure transport of digital files stands out. In this sense, steganography is a fundamental and widely explored tool in the sharing of information through images. This work brings an alternative to the implementation of LSB (Least Significant Bit) substitution using non-sequential bit insertion strategies. This model is implemented as an optimization problem, searching for the most appropriate strategy, and for this the DFS (Depth-First Search), Gluttonous and ACO algorithms were used. In the results, it was demonstrated that the suggested model, together with the ACO (Ant Colony Optimization) optimization algorithm, presented a promising performance against steganalysis methods and improved the pixel intensity difference metric in relation to the conventional LSB.