A method and apparatus for detecting preselected data embedded in
information content is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises
receiving information content and detecting in the information content a
sequence of content fragments that may contain a portion of preselected
data. The method further comprises determining whether a sub-set of these
content fragments matches any sub-set of the preselected data using an
abstract data structure that defines a tabular structure of the
preselected data.