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Fighting Spam with DNA Sequencing Algorithms

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the crushing-the-mouse-with-a-mallet dept.

Christopher Cashell writes "According to this article from NewScientist, IBM's Anti-Spam Filtering Research Project has started testing a new spam filtering algorithm, an algorithm originally designed for DNA sequence analysis. The algorithm has been named Chung-Kwei (after a feng-shui talisman that protects the home against evil spirits). Justin Mason, of SpamAssassin, is quoted as saying that it looks promising. A paper is available on the algorithm, too (PDF)."

9 of 142 comments (clear)

  1. Feng Shui hardware by simp · · Score: 5, Funny

    Excellent! This will go wel with my Feng Shui compliant wall of rocks that I use as a firewall.

    1. Re:Feng Shui hardware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
      Excellent! This will go wel with my Feng Shui compliant wall of rocks that I use as a firewall.
      Make sure you have some moss or other greenery to balance its hardness, and ideally some water too. For a fully integrated experience, use a themed wallpaper like Stonehenge on your desktop.
    2. Re:Feng Shui hardware by Pigbot · · Score: 4, Funny

      Considering how much spam I get trying to sell me Viagra or porn, I have reservations about using someone's DNA to fight spam. It just sounds dirty. And sticky. Like someone should at least buy me dinner first.

      --
      print "Oink!\n" if ( $tail =~ "pull" );
  2. Bayesian Still Works by Admiral+Justin · · Score: 4, Funny

    For now, Bayesian filtering still gets the job done most of the time, so I think we shouldn't get too excited.

    Besides, you have to ask yourself some questions...

    "What happens if you try to filter spam with RNA?"

    "Just how good can ACT and G manage spam?"

    and, most important of all...

    "Are you sure this spam filter uses no portion of Keanu Reeves' genetic code?"

    --
    You will be baked, and there will be cake.
  3. What could we do... by d3ity · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'd love to meet the scientist that thought this up. It probably went something like this: Boss: Well we've made promising gains in the DNA reasearch project, Now what applications could this be used for Engineer: The possibilites are litless! we could cure cancer! We could invent a super puppy that combines the abilities of a lovable puppy and tux, the friendly linux penguin! We could use it to rengenerate limbs for amputees! Marketing: Lets use it to get rid of spam emails! Boss: Great idea! Lets go with that one.

  4. Re:Mozilla Firefox by aussie_a · · Score: 3, Funny

    I agree. The Mozilla Firefox spam filter works great for me. I no longer go to all those goatse sites that people link to thanks to the plugin :) But I have to keep uninstalling and reinstalling it, because after 2 days it says slashdot is spam.

  5. Get the Feng Shui Motherboard by Kozz · · Score: 2, Funny

    "We put the CPU in the center, because that is the chi, or life force for the entire board. A centered chi provides better performance." Now don't you want one?

    --
    I only post comments when someone on the internet is wrong.
  6. For those who don't want to RTFA by Frankie70 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Summary
    1) Make your PC face the North, whenever you are checking Email.
    2) Hang a metal windchime above your workstation.
    It is important that the rods of the windchime to be hollow, so that the auspicious Chi can rise up the chimes.
    3) Add a user account for the Dragon Turtle & make him the admin.

  7. Or... by sean.peters · · Score: 2, Funny

    1) Acquire software
    2) Decompile
    3) Study code
    4) Develop countermeasure
    5) spam spam spam

    It's not like spammers care about the EULA that says they can't look at the code. Oh, and before I forget...

    6) ???
    7) Profit!

    Sean