Image encoding is the process of transforming digital images into a stream of bits that can be stored or transmitted. It involves both image compression and encryption, which are used to reduce file size and protect data from unauthorized access. Image encoding has become increasingly important in recent years as more people use digital media for communication, storage, and streaming.
The most common type of image encoding is lossy compression, which reduces the quality of an image but also makes it smaller in size. This is done by removing unnecessary data such as color information or redundant pixels. Lossless compression does not sacrifice any detail in order to reduce file size; instead it uses algorithms to identify patterns within an image so that they can be encoded more efficiently without losing any data.
Another form of image encoding is steganography, where hidden messages are embedded within an ordinary-looking picture file using specialized software tools or manual techniques like pixel shifting. Steganographic messages often contain private information such as passwords or encrypted text files and can only be decoded with the right key or algorithm.
Finally, cryptography can also be used to encode images so that they remain secure during transmission over networks like the internet. Encryption algorithms scramble up all the bits in a given file so that it cannot be read by anyone except those who have been provided with a secret key (or password). Cryptography ensures that no one else will have access to your confidential data even if they manage to intercept your network traffic while you’re sending out sensitive images online!
