Hackers Now Likely to Set Your Printer on Fire from Afar, Researchers

[HammerHead]

Printers

Where is your printer at tonight?

Red Tape - Exclusive: Millions of printers open to devastating hack attack, researchers say

 

[richnrockville]

Like the article said, the high majority of printers are on a local network and not "on the Internet)
so the chances for infection of your local printer is pretty slim.

rich

 

[Brink]

Not only could a hacker from the opposite side of the globe take control of your printer and issue instructions that could ultimately set the thing on fire, but it's very likely to happen, along with a host of other misdeeds, and it's all thanks to a new class of computer security flaws that has the potential to wreak havoc with businesses, with consumers, and yes, government agencies too.

Researchers at Columbia University told MSNBC about the recently discovered security flaws that cyber crooks can use to remotely control computer printers over the Internet, even ones sitting behind an otherwise secure network. The flaw applies to Hewlett-Packard's LaserJet printer lines, and maybe other models as well. One of the things that's particularly alarming about this is that there's no way to tell if the flaw's been exploited.

Read more at:
Maximum PC | Hackers Now Likely to Set Your Printer on Fire from Afar, Researchers Warn

 

[seekermeister]

If I understood, the problem is with laser printers, therefore I will stick with my old inkjet.

 

[JMH]

Tens of millions of HP LaserJet printers vulnerable to remote hacking

It seems, though HP is yet to confirm it, that researchers from Columbia University have found a security hole in “tens of millions” of HP LaserJet printers that allows a remote hacker to install new and dangerous firmware on the device. In one example, the researchers used the vulnerability to hack a printer’s fuser — the heating element that bonds the toner pigment to the paper — causing the paper to turn brown and begin to smoke.

The attack vector is depressingly simple: Every time a vulnerable LaserJet printer accepts a print job, it scans that job to see if it includes a firmware update. Unvelievably, the printer doesn’t then check the source of the update; HP doesn’t digitally sign its updates, and the printer isn’t looking for HP’s signature. In other words, you can reverse engineer one of HP’s firmware updates, program your own, and then insert it into a print job. You can install whatever software you like on millions of network- and internet-connected LaserJet printers.

Tens of millions of HP LaserJet printers vulnerable to remote hacking | ExtremeTech

 

[carwiz]

So, the fuser "dries the ink"? On a Laser-Jet?

I see a niche market in the making--Laser Lawyers. Call 1-800-BAD-LASER.

 

[legacy7955]

I'm glad I still have my old work horse , the HP LaserJet 1000, it has no internal chip set, and is dumber than a rock. But it works great. Unfortunately you can't get drivers that make it compatible with Win 7.

 

[DustSailor]

Hp refutes that claim: HP Refutes Reports That Printers Can Be Remotely Set On Fire | Fox News

The flaw is only supposed to be for 2009 HP printers or before due to credentials not being validated

 

[Phone Man]

After watching the original You Tube video from the researchers here are my thoughts. First they have to get you to send a modified file to the printer. The file has commands to reprogram the firmware of the printer. Of course a lot of people will be tricked into opening and printing these files. With the new firmware then it can be accessed from the internet. The second thing they stated is that the printer did not catch on fire as the printer had protection in the fuser circuit. They did show a very brown patch on the paper so it did toast it a bit, but no fire.

Jim

 

[Tim91]

Im just waiting for my webcam to shoot a laser beam out of it and kill me now.

 

[carwiz]

Im just waiting for my webcam to shoot a laser beam out of it and kill me now.

:roflmao:

 

[HammerHead]

Whoa!

Tim:

They are working on the laser now so far it only kills your hair folicles thus rendering you bald. If you are already bald you will not notice any change except for a foul taste in your mouth.

 

[Tim91]

Wait till xbox's kinect starts flashing families memories like men in black.