Hiding Messages in Audio Files Using Direct Spread Spectrum

Direct spread spectrum technology is traditionally used in radio communication systems with multiple access. It ensures high security and reliability of information transfer. In addition, direct sequence spreading of spectrum makes the transmitted signals noise alike. We are researching this technology for other uses. The present paper explores the technique of hiding information in multimedia files, in particular, audio containers. The paper investigates various methods of forming wideband signals (chip codes), and studies the possibility of their usage for hiding information by using direct spread spectrum technology. We conduct experimental studies, in particular, we estimate the bit error rate (BER) of information data, as well as the distortion of the audio container by mean squared error (MSE) and peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR). We show which method of forming chip codes is preferable for reliable and safe information hiding.