*free* Need to know if your printer's betrayed you?

[Installer]

Also next week on AT:

Hot deals items will be moved to the Politics and News forum; politics and news postings will go to the Hot Deals forum.

 

[trinketsummoner]

I think some people need a serious reality check here.

 

[Bill Kunert]

I'm a retired Xerox service rep and I'm surprised this hasn't come up before. Xerox started doing this in the '80's to try to discourage counterfeiting. When color copiers went laser the quality was so good that. with proper paper, excellent results could be obtained copying money. I believe this was encouraged by the government so they could trace the money back to the machine. I don't think there is anything particularly sinister about it. My feeling has always been that those with nothing to hide hide nothing.

Bill

 

[ATLien247]

Big Brother aside, even all the old printers have enough unique printing characterstics to be able to match a document to the printer that printed it. It just takes a very good forensic eye... and a warrant (but perhaps not for much longer).

 

[rivan]

Yeah, actually I'm surprised this hasn't been screamed about before as well - I'm a longtime user of color laser printers, and have known about this for 10 years or so.

To me, the counterfeitting protection far outweighs any potential for abuse. I'd rather my dollar hold it's value than feel safe, never wondering if someone's going to track me because I altered and printed that mapquest map one day...

 

[Lalakai]

For many people I think the main concern is an invasion of privacy, and high probability of info mis-use by the government. There have been too many instances of government abuse of power, to think that because you violate no laws, that you won't be bothered. Consider all the "red" files that were complile on people during the McCarthy period, merely because they were believed to be communist sympathizers, and how that info was used to impact lives and reputations. The Tuskogee incident is another example of government using or hiding information, to achieve it's objectives.

Sorry but yes, everyone should be very concerned about this.

 

[BlackPear1]

Originally posted by: mscdex0
sweet, my HP LaserJet 6L printer isn't listed :thumbsup:

Are you surprised that your LJ6L doesn't print yellow dots?

 

[grappa]

I think some people need a serious reality check here.

I tried that once, and they said I was OVERDRAWN!

 

[Lurker1]

Originally posted by: rivan
Yeah, actually I'm surprised this hasn't been screamed about before as well - I'm a longtime user of color laser printers, and have known about this for 10 years or so.

To me, the counterfeitting protection far outweighs any potential for abuse. I'd rather my dollar hold it's value than feel safe, never wondering if someone's going to track me because I altered and printed that mapquest map one day...

I would rather they spend $0.10 and hire someone to design some attractive money in multiple colors. It's much harder to counterfit multi-color modern designs spefically designed to cause Moire interference patterns when scanned.

This whole adding tracking data etc seems largely unnecessary except to create a fully trackable system for all users. That just sounds sinister.

 

[AStar617]

Originally posted by: ATLien247
Big Brother aside, even all the old printers have enough unique printing characterstics to be able to match a document to the printer that printed it. It just takes a very good forensic eye... and a warrant (but perhaps not for much longer).

If it were me under the microscope, it'd take a VERY good eye. On the to-do list for the cleanup of my crime would be a swap of the toner cartridge, which includes the drum and thus a good amount of the unique characteristics.

Yes, I watch entirely too much Forensic Files on CourtTV.

 

[BadThad]

This is a "hot deal"? Who cares, just live a clean life and you'll have no problems.

 

[Trikat]

The unique dots are also great for corporate scams, and other corporate illegal activities. Many uses for the "hidden" patterns.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Originally posted by: SRGilbert

Originally posted by: Pabster
Seems if you aren't a criminal you have nothing to worry about.

So I guess you would be ok with the feds searching your house or car, or maybe monitoring your emails, internet access, and phone calls. After all, you've nothing to hide do you? :roll:

I thought they already did that....

 

[SoulAssassin]

This may be free to many but if you value what the eff does, please see the link in my sig.

 

[Slick5150]

This is the worst hot deal ever

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: Slick5150
This is the worst hot deal ever