That’s cool and all, but the most law enforcement would be able to get from probably three quarters of printers in existence is something like “this was part of a lot shipped to Staples’ Arizona warehouse in the third quarter of 2016.” Really narrows it down…
I like that handwritten look, but I’m also not dumb enough to use my own handwriting.
My anonymous letters are written with one of those vinyl plotter/cutter things, but it uses a pen attachment to write things instead of cut. It looks very nice when finished. And most importantly, as long as you wear gloves, you don’t leave any evidence on the paper.
Note: you can also use it to draw things, but swapping out colors is tedious.
You know it’s funny, I actually tried two different multicolor pens, but there’s a limited size for the pen to fit, and the colors are never quite what you want them to be.
I use pilot g2 pens with a 0.38 tip. The gel pens work best, as there’s minimal to no bleeding on the page like markers, normal Bic style pens are too hard on the paper to actually mark anything, and pencils don’t auto-feed.
I’m sure a multi-color pen is feasible, and I’m positive I could find the perfect one for a price. But this works for now, as long as I don’t feel like adding more than 4 colors.
This is both true and untrue. On the one hand yes printers do this. On the other hand if you never registered the warranty then it’s unlikely that Best Buy still has record of which printer you bought 10 years ago.
ever allowed your printer to update over the internet? chances are that same serial number attached to the printer, which is now encoded into your document, is now attached to an IP that can be meaningfully time/date attached to your e.g. cable modem MAC address which is attached to the location of the printer - at your house/work/etc… and thats just one publically known mechanism. if your printer is attached to a network with internet access, are you sure its never pinged the manufacturer? are you suresure?
never underestimate the trail of digital forensics you leave behind when there is a sufficiently motivated adversary. seriously evaluate your risks and harm exposure and plan accordingly. just sayin’
It could still connect it to your region. It’d be best to grab one while you’re traveling somewhere ideally so even if they trace it it’ll take them to a place that’s fairly inaccurate.
And that they didn’t use their own printer.
For those not aware: all commercially available color printers leave a pattern of almost-microscopic yellow dots which contain the printer serial number. This makes it possible for law enforcement to trace the origin of any document produced with such a printer.
If you’re going to produce untraceable color artwork at scale, you need to use silk screening, or a similar DIY printmaking technique.
That’s cool and all, but the most law enforcement would be able to get from probably three quarters of printers in existence is something like “this was part of a lot shipped to Staples’ Arizona warehouse in the third quarter of 2016.” Really narrows it down…
I like that handwritten look, but I’m also not dumb enough to use my own handwriting.
My anonymous letters are written with one of those vinyl plotter/cutter things, but it uses a pen attachment to write things instead of cut. It looks very nice when finished. And most importantly, as long as you wear gloves, you don’t leave any evidence on the paper.
Note: you can also use it to draw things, but swapping out colors is tedious.
You need to get one of those pens with multiple colors, then add a mechanism that can select between them.
You know it’s funny, I actually tried two different multicolor pens, but there’s a limited size for the pen to fit, and the colors are never quite what you want them to be.
I use pilot g2 pens with a 0.38 tip. The gel pens work best, as there’s minimal to no bleeding on the page like markers, normal Bic style pens are too hard on the paper to actually mark anything, and pencils don’t auto-feed.
I’m sure a multi-color pen is feasible, and I’m positive I could find the perfect one for a price. But this works for now, as long as I don’t feel like adding more than 4 colors.
This is both true and untrue. On the one hand yes printers do this. On the other hand if you never registered the warranty then it’s unlikely that Best Buy still has record of which printer you bought 10 years ago.
As ever YMMV.
ever allowed your printer to update over the internet? chances are that same serial number attached to the printer, which is now encoded into your document, is now attached to an IP that can be meaningfully time/date attached to your e.g. cable modem MAC address which is attached to the location of the printer - at your house/work/etc… and thats just one publically known mechanism. if your printer is attached to a network with internet access, are you sure its never pinged the manufacturer? are you sure sure?
never underestimate the trail of digital forensics you leave behind when there is a sufficiently motivated adversary. seriously evaluate your risks and harm exposure and plan accordingly. just sayin’
Printers are also often e-waste even while still functional ending up in places like recycled good shops, thrift stores etc.
I could take cash to my local Goodwill right now and get a printer that would have no connection to me.
It could still connect it to your region. It’d be best to grab one while you’re traveling somewhere ideally so even if they trace it it’ll take them to a place that’s fairly inaccurate.
It’s okay. This “vandalism” reeks of false flag, so law enforcement will be pointed to their office printer.
Does this hold true for black and white laser printers as well?
Not that I am aware of
If its electronic, assume its compromised.