--- security.guru.phd@gmail.com wrote: From: "Paul Atkins" <security.guru.phd@gmail.com> I am a network researcher. One question I want to ask the ISPs here are that if they have a choice of finding more information about the hosts that connect to them, is it something they will like to spend money on? For example if the ISP can find out what applications is the host running etc. would it be useful for the ISPs? ------------------------------------------------- No, there're too many free tools that're way fun and good. For example: www.ntop.org with lsof for your particular question. But, you're asking folks who aren't afraid of the technology. Ask an exec and they'll probably give a much different answer. ;-) scott