An image processing apparatus that includes a dummy region adding section configured to add a dummy region to an end part of image data and a dividing position determining section configured to randomly determine a dividing position at which the image data is divided into a plurality of pieces of rectangular image data having the same shape. The image processing apparatus also includes a dividing section configured to divide the image data into the plurality of pieces of rectangular image data based on the dividing position determined by the dividing position determining section and a compressing section configured to compress the plurality of pieces of rectangular image data obtained through a dividing operation of the dividing section.