Hackers Watching Your Photocopying Activities
from the odd dept
Not having been in the market for a photocopying machine in quite some time, I wasn't aware that there were network connected copying machines, but it's not at all surprising. Still, that doesn't necessarily explain why anyone would ever reveal the information necessary to log into such machines on a public website where Google would snap it up allowing hackers to sit back and watch what you're photocopying. Besides, isn't this a bit of a misnomer? Photocopying shouldn't have to have anything to do with the network. It's scanning and printing that would make sense for a network -- but perhaps that's all just semantics. Still, it seems like a fairly specific hack to go searching for accidentally revealed photocopier login information and to sit back hoping someone photocopies something important.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Networked printers and photocopiers
What I don't understand is how they can see what you're copying, as I assume nothing is processed via a network.
In any case, that they can see what you're copying might be the least of your worries, as when they get so far they must also have access to your network...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Networked printers and photocopiers
This machine also holds a digital image of all items sent to it and scanned (when you copy items). If that machine is connected to a network and not behind a firewall, it is most certainly open to anyone who can figure out its network address and if they know the right commands, pull down the entire memory of the machine.
The manufacturers of these machines need to make sure people are aware of this. From there, it is the organization/person's responsibility.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
No Subject Given
Exposed copiers will probably start getting copy spam.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in thread ]
No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in thread ]
No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in thread ]