UGN Security
Posted By: Artic Warrior Printer Q - 03/16/07 02:43 AM
I did a search for the word "printer" within the last 2 years and couldnt find anything on whether a printer that is shared could potentially send data I print to the computer the printer is hooked into.
Is it possible that my print jobs could be captured on the hosting computer?
Posted By: Gremelin Re: Printer Q - 03/16/07 06:45 AM
I'd think so, assuming it's a wired printer vs a network printer; since the data is routed through the pc to the printer then it's compeltely plausable that data could be captured.
Posted By: Artic Warrior Re: Printer Q - 03/17/07 07:06 AM
Ok so I thought I would look into it and came up with this:

For extra security, make sure any server or printer you add supports Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) or Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) encryption, and be sure to add the device's Media Access Control (MAC) address to the list in your router's security settings. source
Posted By: Artic Warrior Re: Printer Q - 03/17/07 07:18 AM
I think the WEP and WPA is only for computers outside the shared network. So Im hoping the MAC address is a safegaurd for those within the network.
Posted By: Gremelin Re: Printer Q - 03/17/07 08:53 PM
WEP and WPA are for allowing users connecting through wifi (802.11x) to connect to your network; mac filtering is yet another security measure which allows the device on the network; both of which can be cracked in the first place
Posted By: Gremelin Re: Printer Q - 03/17/07 08:58 PM
BTW, the wireless network settings should have nothing to do with your initial question of a host computer capturing printing data...
Posted By: Artic Warrior Re: Printer Q - 03/18/07 01:32 AM
I know. I just found that while looking for information on printer security. Its an on going process.
Posted By: Gremelin Re: Printer Q - 03/18/07 01:46 AM
It's not really anything to do with printer security, its more network security to allow the printer onto the network in the first place; again, it's nothing really to do with your inqueries...
Posted By: Artic Warrior Re: Printer Q - 03/18/07 05:34 AM
I never said they had to do with printer security Gizmo. But if you keep on insisting that my post has nothing to do with the topic then feel free to close the thread and Ill just work out things in my head without a "Artics easily distracted thought process online" string of posts.
Posted By: Gremelin Re: Printer Q - 03/18/07 09:29 AM
Lol you are very easily sidetracked, so i was hoping to keep you on track, as hijacking the print queue through a networked printer is an awesome idea... i was simply trying to see how network security has anything to do with trying to jack the print queue on the host machine...
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