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datahound · 18-02-2008, 19:42

I did not know this?

Invisible dots left by printers 'breach privacy' - Telegraph

Most consumers are unaware that many popular colour laser printers, including those made by Brother, Cannon, Xerox and HP, embed almost invisible tracking dots onto documents, uniquely identifying the machine that printed them.

Herr Kurm · 18-02-2008, 19:43

Yup know it. Easy to get blackmailers and dumbasses who print money from their home printer that way.

illvibe · 18-02-2008, 20:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr Kurm

Yup know it. Easy to get blackmailers and dumbasses who print money from their home printer that way.

..ahem...got change for a tenner...?

Hunch · 18-02-2008, 20:38

I read somewhere the tracking dots are yellow. Which makes me wonder what happens if you print greyscale.

steveb · 19-02-2008, 00:15

They're still yellow.
Funny, that.

luxbrand · 19-02-2008, 03:37

I thought this was a 1st of April joke coming too early but on close inspection I was able to see the dots on a printout... http://www.brand.lu/wp-content/2008/02/dots.png

datahound · 19-02-2008, 03:41

Yes I can just make them out.

badaboom · 19-02-2008, 04:44

Danny O'Brien, a spokesman for the EFF, an organisation that defends "digital rights", believes the technology could be used by authoritarian regimes, such as the Chinese, to repress dissent.

blame it on the chinese! WTF – of course the UK police dont use it!

I got our photocopier engineer to show me where it is a few years ago after a local ‘High Street copy/print shop’ staff got busted counterfeiting. He told me about how easy it was to catch them, or anyone else!

18-02-2008, 19:42	#1 (permalink)
datahound Spare Parts Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bracknell Forest Posts: 4,732	big brother printers I did not know this? Invisible dots left by printers 'breach privacy' - Telegraph Most consumers are unaware that many popular colour laser printers, including those made by Brother, Cannon, Xerox and HP, embed almost invisible tracking dots onto documents, uniquely identifying the machine that printed them. __________________ poochmedia \| Computer Spare Parts \| Computer & Telephone Disposals

18-02-2008, 19:43	#2 (permalink)
Herr Kurm bloody peasant Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tallinn, Estonia Posts: 2,679	Yup know it. Easy to get blackmailers and dumbasses who print money from their home printer that way. __________________ refreshed portfolio

19-02-2008, 00:15	#5 (permalink)
steveb 389 ppm and rising Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Järvenpää, Finland Posts: 4,529	They're still yellow. Funny, that. __________________ My free fonts www.utfi.net

19-02-2008, 03:37	#6 (permalink)
luxbrand Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Luxembourg Posts: 652	I thought this was a 1st of April joke coming too early but on close inspection I was able to see the dots on a printout... http://www.brand.lu/wp-content/2008/02/dots.png __________________ httpcolonforwardslashforwardslashwwwdotbranddotluforwardslash

19-02-2008, 03:41	#7 (permalink)
datahound Spare Parts Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bracknell Forest Posts: 4,732	Yes I can just make them out. __________________ poochmedia \| Computer Spare Parts \| Computer & Telephone Disposals

18-02-2008, 20:38	#4 (permalink)
Hunch Grumpy old man Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: North Japan Posts: 1,617	I read somewhere the tracking dots are yellow. Which makes me wonder what happens if you print greyscale.

19-02-2008, 04:44	#8 (permalink)
badaboom Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 462	Danny O'Brien, a spokesman for the EFF, an organisation that defends "digital rights", believes the technology could be used by authoritarian regimes, such as the Chinese, to repress dissent. blame it on the chinese! WTF – of course the UK police dont use it! I got our photocopier engineer to show me where it is a few years ago after a local ‘High Street copy/print shop’ staff got busted counterfeiting. He told me about how easy it was to catch them, or anyone else!

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