CALVERTON, N.Y., Nov. 30, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- AdZone Research, Inc. (OTCBB:ADZR) today reported that the Loudoun Times Mirror, one of 17 newspapers in the Times Community Group covering the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., has featured AdZone's recently launched Online Predator Profiling System (OPPS) in its current issue.
In the story headlined "Software hunts child predators," reporter Jana Renn notes that, "Many inquisitive children log on to Internet chat rooms every day to talk to kids who share their interests.
"The problem is that sometimes the people on the other end of the conversation are not kids at all, but rather adults looking for a chance to prey on the innocence of a young child.
That, she writes, is why AdZone Research Inc. has developed the Online Predator Profiling System -- OPPS -- for law enforcement agencies.
OPPS is a brand-new database. Since May, the system has monitored several online chats -- creating an archive that the company believes will become a valuable tool for hunting predators.
The search is legal because all chats are public domain, she notes.
In describing how the system works, the reporter observes:
"The system works 24/7 ingesting contents of chat rooms, usually ones aimed at young people. An investigator can log into OPPS and search the archives of any chat room. Investigators look for certain identified keys -- such as someone bouncing around trying to start a conversation with another."
"Investigators look for phrases like `RU finished with your homework?' or even more frightening, `RU alone?'" said Dan Wasserman, executive vice president and managing director for AdZone's capital area office in Ashburn. These types of phrases could signify the questioner is trying to meet a young person.
Another key, the reporter says, is someone asking people their ages:
"Once a suspicious chat room visitor is identified, an investigator can follow that person's chat room history to see who the person has talked to, what types of rooms he or she has been in, and what has been said. Once a good amount of evidence is collected against a certain screen name, investigators can track down the user through the Internet service provider and further investigate or serve warrants as necessary."
"Right now," says Renn, "the program is in limited use."
Wasserman said he has met with many law enforcement agencies in Northern Virginia who are interested in purchasing OPPS and are helping him improve it.
"The cost is $999 for an investigator for one year," Wasserman notes, "but the jurisdiction that wants it does not necessarily have to buy it. If you want to donate the system to your local law enforcement agency, go to http://www.adzoneinteractive.com/OPS/index.html."
"This is one of those things that is more than just 'feel good,'" Wasserman said. "You know you're doing something that is good for the community."
The newspaper story indicates "The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, which is actively involved in Internet monitoring, is interested in OPPS," said spokesman Kraig Troxell. "Right now, Loudoun County's main tool for that purpose is getting people to pose as minors to lure predators."
The article is available in its entirety at the following link: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15662143&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id
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Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking" statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.