Slashdot Mirror
Hidden Codes in Printers Cracked
r84x writes "A research team led by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) recently broke the code behind tiny tracking dots that some color laser printers secretly hide in every document.
The U.S. Secret Service admitted that the tracking information is part of a deal struck with selected color laser printer manufacturers, ostensibly to identify counterfeiters. However, the nature of the private information encoded in each document was not previously known.
"We've found that the dots from at least one line of printers encode the date and time your document was printed, as well as the serial number of the printer," said EFF Staff Technologist Seth David Schoen."
Its a good thing that I can't print. [warning: experimental music made from printer noises]
Anyone have a printer friendly version? On second thought.... nevermind. //Tin foil hat on
"If you can read this, you are about to be busted"
The grass is always greener on the other side of the light cone.
I bet most people's printers will print "Jan-01 1980 12:00" in little blinking dots.
Holy crap! 600,000 people are watching every move I make? Where's my Xanax??
You'd think it would be easier to...
:)
A1. scan as normal
A2. separate the channels into CMYK in Photoshop/whathaveyou
A3. inspect the Yellow channel.
B1. scan as normal
B2. separate the channels into RGB in GIMP/whathaveyou
B3. do a difference matte between the channels
B4. inspect the result
C1. replace the yellow toner cartridge with a black one
C2a. stock the other holders with empty cartridges
C2b. or if that causes a printer error/warning, block the cartridges' output
C3. print
D1. get a sheet of blue filter plastic
D2. scan through that
But I guess the array of blue LEDs with soldering involved is a lot more geeky
Just send in the little round yellow guy to eat some of the dots and confuse the feds. No more paranoia!
You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!
Right. So now, in order to ensure that we remain safe from terrorists, paedophiles, and liberals, we need to compel scanner manufacturers to make sure their products will refuse to show the secret codes we already compelled the printer manufacturers to install.
Don't worry, citizen. We have it all under control.
Real Daleks don't climb stairs - they level the building.
I didn't say you were paranoid, you must have imagined that.
No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
Given all the tin foil hat activity lately, I see this as CBS' next spinoff.
I'm all for it. Especially if you get that MILF Marg Helgenberger. Woohooo!!!
Here's my suggestion: get newspaper or magazine (with big letters preferrably), glue, scissors and some paper. Cut letters of liking, assemble and paste to paper. Oh and wear gloves.
If you're printing out your ransom demands on a color laser printer, send a photocopy of the printout instead.
"What's this? This ransom note was printed in 1455 on printer number 1! Okay men, I think we need to have a little chat with Mr. Gutenberg"
No wonder the yellow always runs out first!
And now the US government has made it quick, easy and automated to do the same.
*sigh*
but the US is good and the commies are bad!
God Bless America!
Know what I like about atheists? I've yet to meet one that believes God is on their side.
God bless the PATRIOT Act,
Don't forget the 1994 Crime Bill and 1996 Anti-Terrorism Act.
Oh wait. Do forget those. They can't be blamed on Bush, and this is Slashdot.
This would be fun:
1. Mail local politician and ask for something, get nice letter in reply.
2. Decode info hidden in letter.
3. Create Communist, Satanist and other anti-government propaganda with fake, hidden info.
4.???
5. Profit!
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