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Lexmark printer X5250 . . . check for spyware?
I found this posted on misc.consumers
The author refers to a data-mining program installed automatically with Lexmark printer driver software. In the other ng, he's getting his ass flamed off. I don't understand that reaction. If what he wrote is true, and I owned this particular printer, I would want to KNOW that Lexmark was spying on me. And if this IS true, I would be inclined NOT to purchase a Lexmark printer. Not that I'd considered it anyway, but spyware would be a solid reason to spend your money on a different brand, IMHO. Anyway, I just was wondering if someone here in this ng happens to own this particular printer. If so, can you verify the following? -Dave (The following was NOT written by me): Yes, Lexmark is now in the Spyware business! Just the other day I purchased a new Lexmark X5250 All-in-one printer. I installed it as per the instructions and monitored the install with Norton as I do with all new software. On reviewing the install log I noticed a program called Lx_CATS had been placed in the c:\program files directory. I investigated and found a data log and an initialisation file called Lx_CATS.ini. Further investigation of this file showed that Lexmark had, without my permission, loaded a Trojan backdoor on to my computer. Furthermore, it is embedded into the system registry, so average users would likely never know it was there and active. This Lexmark Trojan was programmed to monitor my use of the printer by way of data collected from two DLLs in the c:\program files\lexmark500 folder. The Trojan would then send information on printer usage, including types of print activity, scanning activity, OCR activity etc., back to a hidden URL at 30 day intervals. The URL, www.lxkcc1.com, is identified as being owned by Lexmark. When I called and spoke with Lexmark support, they denied all knowledge of any such program, and suggested I had somehow been infected by a virus. When I challenged them with the facts, they ultimately aknowleged that this was indeed activity tracking software that reported printer and cartridge use back to them for "survey" purposes. Lexmark said that "no personal data" was relayed by the program, and that I could not be personally identified by it. However - the program transmits the printer serial number, and when I registered the warranty with Lexmark, they recorded my personal information along with the serial number. How much effort does it take to match the two? I call it spying! I was not advised of this part of the installation, nor was I asked to agree to be part of any such data gathering activity. I see this as a breach of my privacy, and as deplorable behaviour by Lexmark. Lexmark users beware! But, they may not be the only ones stealing your private information. |
#2
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#1 firewall and nothing finds its way out...
#2 During the install there is an accept this blah blah screen, almost every time. Clicking 'accept' without reading, is a MOF these days. #3 All hardware is going to be phoning home soon (HP-Epson ordering cartridges after detecting low ink, yeah right.) Opening the door to phoning home to find out if you have the 'right' to print whatever your printing. "Dave C." wrote in message ... I found this posted on misc.consumers The author refers to a data-mining program installed automatically with Lexmark printer driver software. In the other ng, he's getting his ass flamed off. I don't understand that reaction. If what he wrote is true, and I owned this particular printer, I would want to KNOW that Lexmark was spying on me. And if this IS true, I would be inclined NOT to purchase a Lexmark printer. Not that I'd considered it anyway, but spyware would be a solid reason to spend your money on a different brand, IMHO. Anyway, I just was wondering if someone here in this ng happens to own this particular printer. If so, can you verify the following? -Dave (The following was NOT written by me): Yes, Lexmark is now in the Spyware business! Just the other day I purchased a new Lexmark X5250 All-in-one printer. I installed it as per the instructions and monitored the install with Norton as I do with all new software. On reviewing the install log I noticed a program called Lx_CATS had been placed in the c:\program files directory. I investigated and found a data log and an initialisation file called Lx_CATS.ini. Further investigation of this file showed that Lexmark had, without my permission, loaded a Trojan backdoor on to my computer. Furthermore, it is embedded into the system registry, so average users would likely never know it was there and active. This Lexmark Trojan was programmed to monitor my use of the printer by way of data collected from two DLLs in the c:\program files\lexmark500 folder. The Trojan would then send information on printer usage, including types of print activity, scanning activity, OCR activity etc., back to a hidden URL at 30 day intervals. The URL, www.lxkcc1.com, is identified as being owned by Lexmark. When I called and spoke with Lexmark support, they denied all knowledge of any such program, and suggested I had somehow been infected by a virus. When I challenged them with the facts, they ultimately aknowleged that this was indeed activity tracking software that reported printer and cartridge use back to them for "survey" purposes. Lexmark said that "no personal data" was relayed by the program, and that I could not be personally identified by it. However - the program transmits the printer serial number, and when I registered the warranty with Lexmark, they recorded my personal information along with the serial number. How much effort does it take to match the two? I call it spying! I was not advised of this part of the installation, nor was I asked to agree to be part of any such data gathering activity. I see this as a breach of my privacy, and as deplorable behaviour by Lexmark. Lexmark users beware! But, they may not be the only ones stealing your private information. |
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"JAD" wrote in message ... #1 firewall and nothing finds its way out... #2 During the install there is an accept this blah blah screen, almost every time. Clicking 'accept' without reading, is a MOF these days. #3 All hardware is going to be phoning home soon (HP-Epson ordering cartridges after detecting low ink, yeah right.) Opening the door to phoning home to find out if you have the 'right' to print whatever your printing. #1 Most people don't even know what a firewall is. I can't count the number of computer users I've had to explain this term to, especially since the AOL software started checking for Anti-Virus and firewall software and reporting these as MISSING on the log-in screen. #2 You think Lexmark or anybody else is going to announce in the EULA that they are installing spyware on your computer? #3 If we are stupid enough to allow that to come to pass, we deserve what we get. If you don't buy hardware or software that supports such tactics, the companies that promote it will be out of business soon. -Dave |
#4
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"Dave C." wrote in message ... "JAD" wrote in message ... #1 firewall and nothing finds its way out... #2 During the install there is an accept this blah blah screen, almost every time. Clicking 'accept' without reading, is a MOF these days. #3 All hardware is going to be phoning home soon (HP-Epson ordering cartridges after detecting low ink, yeah right.) Opening the door to phoning home to find out if you have the 'right' to print whatever your printing. #1 Most people don't even know what a firewall is. I can't count the number of computer users I've had to explain this term to, especially since the AOL software started checking for Anti-Virus and firewall software and reporting these as MISSING on the log-in screen. ignorance is no excuse, but it is every where. AOL is the biggest 'big brother' of all. They are positioning themselves, as the #1 government sanctioned provider. #2 You think Lexmark or anybody else is going to announce in the EULA that they are installing spyware on your computer? Yes they do. In almost all cases ('creative' and AOL is a good one) if they installed something you agreed to it unknowingly. There should be a warning screen " You lazy jackass, you didn't even scroll the 5 pages of eula + no click on the continuing 'link" that further explains the Attached eula and any addtions to the eula and the FAQ for the attached eula." Yet you clicked accept...we now own your family.. #3 If we are stupid enough to allow that to come to pass, we deserve what we get. If you don't buy hardware or software that supports such tactics, the companies that promote it will be out of business soon. -Dave Already in the motion, and you wont have much of a choice if you like to be in the state -of -the art reahlm of technology. It will be slowly introduced as to not alarm, but it will become what it is intended to be. China is a big reason why this WILL happen. |
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Already in the motion, and you wont have much of a choice if you like
to be in the state -of -the art reahlm of technology. It will be slowly introduced as to not alarm, but it will become what it is intended to be. China is a big reason why this WILL happen. I'm not sure what you mean by your comment about China. Could you elaborate? -Dave |
#6
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China is the #1 pirating country and has the tech to be so. makes
millions on other peoples work. Rarely if at all, recognizes any country's copyright laws. Thusly propagating the 'NEED' as the GOV will put it, to enforce hardcoded copyright. Its all about money. WEIN! http://www.againsttcpa.com/what-is-tcpa.html "Dave C." wrote in message ... Already in the motion, and you wont have much of a choice if you like to be in the state -of -the art reahlm of technology. It will be slowly introduced as to not alarm, but it will become what it is intended to be. China is a big reason why this WILL happen. I'm not sure what you mean by your comment about China. Could you elaborate? -Dave |
#7
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On Tue, 9 Nov 2004 10:58:05 -0800, JAD wrote:
China is the #1 pirating country and has the tech to be so. makes millions on other peoples work. Rarely if at all, recognizes any country's copyright laws. Thusly propagating the 'NEED' as the GOV will put it, to enforce hardcoded copyright. Its all about money. WEIN! http://www.againsttcpa.com/what-is-tcpa.html "Dave C." wrote in message ... Already in the motion, and you wont have much of a choice if you like to be in the state -of -the art reahlm of technology. It will be slowly introduced as to not alarm, but it will become what it is intended to be. China is a big reason why this WILL happen. I'm not sure what you mean by your comment about China. Could you elaborate? -Dave Fascinating! Absolutely fascinating! Not a single reply understood what the poster was saying. Fascinating! China? What the hell does that have to do with Lexmark installing spyware on a computer? Dave, walk away. You do not want to fool around with these cretins. -- |
#8
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I answered the OP, cretin...it was Dave who elaborated, cretin you
walk away, cretin... new word of the day "cretin" brought to you by the letter "C" and Bob. Fascinating! Absolutely fascinating! Not a single reply understood what the poster was saying. Fascinating! China? What the hell does that have to do with Lexmark installing spyware on a computer? Dave, walk away. You do not want to fool around with these cretins. -- |
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