Encryption and decryption of images with chaotic map lattices.

We propose a secure algorithm for direct encryption and decryption of digital images with chaotic map lattices. The basic idea is to convert, pixel by pixel, the image color to chaotic logistic maps one-way coupled by initial conditions. After small numbers of iterations and cycles, the image becomes indistinguishable due to inherent properties of chaotic systems. Since the maps are coupled, the image can be completely recovered by the decryption algorithm if map parameters, number of iterations, number of cycles, and the image size are exactly known.