Detection of Encrypted Packet Streams Using Feedback Probing

A system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor and comprising computer readable program code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform operations comprising:
• measuring variation in a time interval between probe stream adjacent packets using an inserted known observable parameter as part of a probe stream transmitted via a communications network to determine a network-induced time variation;
• changing a time interval inserted between subsequent actual data packets transmitted via the communications network based on the network-induced time variation;
• periodically generating the probe stream corresponding to a zone within the communications network;
• and
• periodically transmitting respective probe streams from different respective zones within the communications network to other zones within the communications network to determine respective zone network-induced time variations.

A computer program product, comprising:

• a tangible computer readable medium comprising computer readable program code that when executed by a processor causes the processor to perform operations comprising:
• measuring variation in a time interval between probe stream adjacent packets using an inserted known observable parameter as part of a probe stream transmitted via a communications network to determine a network-induced time variation;
• changing a time interval inserted between subsequent actual data packets transmitted via the communications network based on the network-induced time variation;
• periodically generating the probe stream corresponding to a zone within the communications network;
• and
• periodically transmitting respective probe streams from different respective zones within the communications network to other zones within the communications network to determine respective zone network-induced time variations.