printer parts User ID: 1144647 United States 10/28/2010 07:46 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Is Your Printer Spying On You? Cameras and printers have finger prints Imagine that every time you printed a document, it automatically included a secret code that could be used to identify the printer -- and potentially, the person who used it. Sounds like something from an episode of "Alias," right? Unfortunately, the scenario isn't fictional. In an effort to identify counterfeiters, the US government has succeeded in persuading some color laser printer manufacturers to encode each page with identifying information within their printer parts. That means that without your knowledge or consent, an act you assume is private could become public. A communication tool you're using in everyday life could become a tool for government surveillance. And what's worse, there are no laws to prevent abuse. The ACLU issued a report revealing that the FBI has amassed more than 1,100 pages of documents on the organization since 2001, as well as documents concerning other non-violent groups, including Greenpeace and United for Peace and Justice. In the current political climate, it's not hard to imagine the government using the ability to determine who may have printed what document for purposes other than identifying counterfeiters. Your freedom to speak anonymously is in danger. [ link to www.eff.org] Will [ link to www.metrofuser.com] Printers, Parts and How to Training |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 400394 United States 10/28/2010 07:55 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Your Printer Spying On You? Cameras and printers have finger prints Do you remember BTK? He got caught because he sent the cops a cd he made using office. He asked the cops if they could find out who he was from a cd and they said no, so he sent it. The code in the cd told the cops who owned that copy of MS office and who logged on to use it. |