Backtracking Software
September 3, 2012
If this performs as advertised, it is quite a breakthrough: ABC Science reports, “Code Tracks Crime, Rumours Back to Source.” The advancement comes from Switzerland, where researchers say their software can be used to rapidly track everything from a terror suspect to an infectious disease to a vicious rumor. The write up informs us:
“‘Using our method, we can find the source of all kinds of things circulating in a network just by “listening” to a limited number of members of that network,’ says researcher Dr Pedro Pinto of Lausanne’s Federal Polytechnic (EPFL).
“The algorithm can fast-track the route taken by the information to arrive back at its original source. A key factor is using the time at which the data is passed from sender to recipient, to help investigators follow the path as directly as possible and eliminate false trails.”
Results published in the scientific journal Physical Review Letters show that the algorithm successfully traced the 9/11 attacks back to their mastermind. A less fraught example suggests a social networker could find out who started a rumor by analyzing a few posts. The software could also be used to find the origins of a virus (organic or computer) and track down spammers.
The article points out another potential use: targeted online marketing campaigns. Ah, now we’re talking! That’s one field that might have some cash to throw at this idea.
Will it work as proclaimed? We’ll see.
Cynthia Murrell, September 03, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
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