[AktiviX] Echelon and Textual analysis

[Harry Halpin]

Folks,
	As someone who works textual analysis from a computatinal 
linguistics approach, Echelon is likely capable of complex but fairly 
flawed analysis. Most information retrieval systems work by statistical 
word frequency and looking for "Hot" words. So, the @nc|ent hacker practice of 
mixing in weird characters and missspelings can throw some of the less 
clever systems off. Also, full-scale propositional or "semantic" analysis 
is still a far way off.  One way of communicating, through elaborate 
shared metaphors and analogies, is almost impervious to computatonal 
analysis. FYI.
					-Harry

 On Thu, 6 May 2004, Charlie Harvey  wrote:

>  --8<--
> | First, a small historical diversion: back in the 1980's, there were rumors
> | that the NSA had a complete Usenet feed going into its data centers.
> | In reaction, Usenet article authors began to include what were called
> | "NSA fodder" in the headers and bodies of their articles; text strings like:
> | 
> | 	Moscow nuke Iran Kremlin secret spy CIA transmission
> 
> I'm guessing that echelon is probably capable of some fairly complex 
> textual analysis these days though :-(
> 
>  --8<--
> | 	1. Deny the data to the collectors.
> | 	2. Give them all the data they could possibly hope for...
> | 	   but fill it with so much noise that it's useless.
> | 
> | In the case of RFID tags, so many people are all over their deployment
> | that approach #1 may now be effectively impossible.
> 
> Never underestimate the power of the microwave oven where sensitive 
> electronics are concerned. Can't think of another use for the bloody 
> things.
> 
>  --8<--
> 
> | After all, there's no reason why you and I can't have our own RFID
> | scanners, and locate the tags that we happen to find in our possession,
> | now is there?  
> 
>  --8<--
> 
> Not until you have to have a licence to own one :-/ 
> 
> You can also get reader/writer devices. I can see it already -  "But 
> the automated checkout /told/ me the champagne was actually value beans 
> and only cost 9p yer honour".  
> 
> 
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