Algorithm to retrieve original rumors

Swiss scientists have created a software that can quickly track terrorism suspects, computer viruses, rumors and even infectious diseases to their roots.

With this method, experts claim to be able to trace back to the origin of all kinds of information that exists on a system, by 'listening' to the limited number of members of that system, AFP quoted. Researcher Pedro Pinto of Lausanne Federal Polytechnic University (EPFL) said.

The crux of this algorithm is to leverage the time the data is transmitted from the sender to the receiver, assisting investigators in the right direction and eliminating the misleading traces.

EPFL assures you can use the above algorithm for many
In case of needing to go back to the source of information - (Photo: AFP)

Published in Physical Review Letters, Pinto's team tested the algorithm on an existing data labyrinth to check if the tool was capable of pointing out individuals behind the 11 / September 2001 in the United States.

By reconstructing the exchange of messages within the terrorist system in 9/11, the system provided three of the most suspicious names, and one of them was the mastermind of the attack.

In another example, this time using social networks, Pinto said individuals can use algorithms to find out who spread rumors to 500 members of the network by simply searching for incoming messages. 15-20 members instead of "searching" on the entire list.

According to experts, cases involving computer viruses or epidemics are also within the traceability of the software.