Skype blocked again? This time, by a ‘learning’ filter

Skype could be blocked ― again. This time, it’s a French data-mining and network solutions company Lynanda which issued the claim. According to this release, their technology relies on statistics calculus and pattern recognition to detect eventual Skype’s traffic on-the-fly.

First, the firewall is exposed to its target environment to “learn” the particularities of Skype’s traffic. Then, it uses the information collected together with pattern-matching techniques to actually identify Skype’s related traffic.

Sounds great, and similar to a Bayesian spam filter, but how long will this be effective? The last time Skype released a new version of its softphone, it blew up security and detection filters set Skype buster applications.

Aug 28, 2006 | By Nuno

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