Bruce

Recently (I think) someone posted a HP3000 utility to the list, or at
least a link to it's whereabouts, which sends a nice little message to
replace the 00 Ready message on most LaserJet's.

I know I downloaded it, and of course nerdishly changed the message on
the IT LaserJet to something silly.

You are probably a victim of a nerdish, but fairly harmless, prank.

Regards

Neil


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bruce Senn [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, April 02, 1998 7:09 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      PJL, LaserJets and JetAdmin
>
> Yesterday, many of our LaserJet printers as well as printers connected
> to JetDirect boxes had an "interesting" message either on the display
> or
> printed on the printer.  Instead of "00 READY" or "READY" we saw
>
> 00 READY 4 LOVE
>
> on many LaserJets. On the LPQ475 connected to a JetDirect EX we saw:
>
> %-12345X@PJL RDYMSG DISPLAY = "00 READY 4 LOVE"
> %-12345X
>
> I've talked with Richard Corn of RAC (and list member), who has helped
> me
> understand what is happening.
>
> The string (esc)%-12345X tells the printer that what follows will be a
> PJL command.  PJL is yet another printer language like PCL.  So, my
> guess
> is that in honor of April 1st somebody has discovered this and is
> trying
> it out.
>
> The questions I have for the group are:
>
> 1.  Has anyone else seen a similar "PJL attack"?
>
> 2.  Has anyone found a way to "protect" the printers?
>
> OK, 00 READY FOR LOVE is fairly benign, but it could be/get worse.
>
> We can duplicate this at will by using the MAC version of JetAdmin to
> send a command to any printer it finds.  Placing a passord on the
> printer
> with JetAdmin doesn't help.
>
> TIA for any comments, help, or observations.
>
> Bruce.
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>    Bruce J. Senn                             Phone:  (518) 388-6664
>    Senior System Manager                     FAX:    (518) 388-6458
>    Union College                   Internet:  [log in to unmask]
>    Schenectady, NY 12308
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------