Steganochain: A Blockchain-Integrated Framework for Verifiable Image Steganography

ABSTRACT Steganography involves embedding sensitive information within digital media in a manner that conceals the very presence of communication. Although many existing image steganography methods are capable of hiding data effectively, they do not provide reliable mechanisms to verify the integrity and authenticity of the stego-image after transmission. This paper introduces Steganochain, a browser-based framework that combines Least Significant Bit (LSB) image steganography with blockchain-inspired cryptographic hashing to achieve tamper detection and non-repudiation. In the proposed approach, a unique cryptographic hash of the generated stego-image is recorded in an immutable ledger along with metadata such as user identity and timestamp. During the verification process, any modification to the image results in a mismatch of hash values, thereby exposing tampering. The framework is lightweight, efficient, and suitable for real-time applications. Comparative analysis with existing steganography techniques demonstrates that Steganochain prioritizes data integrity and provenance while maintaining simplicity and practical usability. Key words: Image Steganography, Blockchain Verification, LSB Embedding, Data Integrity, Authentication.