Heads up: HP is blocking competing cartridges gain!

[stratman]

That’s normally the case in many instance, but the likes of HP have gotten around that by not using the standard connection method (Computer) to transmit the printers schedule updates.

Please clarify.

So, blocking won’t work when the printers’ requests only go out via the router

Do not connect the printer to the router but instead to your computer.

it’s an even bigger problem when the printer and router are Wi-Fi, and that’s everybody’s preferred connection method today.

You're one of those "have my cake and eat it too" kinda guys. Yes, in this scenario you need to block at the level of the wireless router, which may allow blocking both incoming and outbound data from an IP address. The trick still is figuring out what to block.

Installing the printer on a computer and then looking at your computer's firewall list of IP addresses installed that applications want to use - eg the phone home HP or Canon IP addresses those printers use to silently see if there are updates available and then install them - may facilitate finding the correct IP's to block.

 

[pharmacist]

That’s normally the case in many instance, but the likes of HP have gotten around that by not using the standard connection method (Computer) to transmit the printers schedule updates.

So, blocking won’t work when the printers’ requests only go out via the router, it’s an even bigger problem when the printer and router are Wi-Fi, and that’s everybody’s preferred connection method today.

Even devices like your mobile phone can be used when you’re at home, or if you have a smart electrical meter, not to mention your car, it’s not just big brother that you need to be aware of, now your Feckin HP printer is getting in on the act....

...I DON'T LIKE IT......

 

[The Hat]

Please clarify.

The HP printer can now access any Wi-Fi connection within its reach, it’s like the ET phone home syndrome, regardless of where you connect the printer too, if any, and can it be turned off, your guess is as good as mine.

...I DON'T LIKE IT......

I don’t like all of these smart gadgets from A to Z and refuse to use Wi-Fi, I do however have a Wi-Fi mouse (A Gift) which I connect by USB cable, I don’t have a mobile phone, and couldn’t care less about social media.

You're one of those "have my cake and eat it too" kinda guys.

Paranoia, well some will call it that, but I like to stay anonymous as much as I can, not even a footprint....

 

[flyboy]

Amen The Hat, I too am not interested in any footprint. All of these smart gadgets, phones, BT etc are plainly and simply giving off RF that is slowly cooking you as well as passing on private info on you to gawd only knows who. The Canadian gov't is trying to get access to everyone's social media as part of their border security... FB and all these other companies are well known to be crooked and I will stop my rant now...

In my case I have two iMacs hooked up to the printer via my TP-Link router via USB.

We do not use wifi (gives me a massive headache) and there is only one USB port and this was the only way I could think of to do it.

I went into my router and could not figure out how to block sites and same with mac os

 

[The Hat]

I went into my router and could not figure out how to block sites

Maybe @stratman can explain the fundamentals of how to block the bugger from sending out all the goodies on you...

 

[stratman]

The HP printer can now access any Wi-Fi connection within its reach

Not if the wireless signal is secured / passworded and the printer does not have the password. Also, if the SSID of the wireless signal is not broadcast then the printer will not "see" it to even know it is there to connect to. Humans may be able to workaround these scenarios but a printer will not on its own.

I could see a lawsuit against HP if their printers glom onto any unsecured wireless signal without the owner's permission. That is, I think, a federal criminal offense in the USA. Probably illegal elsewhere in the Western world. It is stealing and possibly more.

 

[stratman]

I went into my router and could not figure out how to block sites and same with mac os

Depends on the router if there is a firewall built in or not.

Please read my earlier post. There is a link on how to access the Hosts file for Mac as one method for blocking IP Addresses.

While I know little to nothing about Macs, I would think you use a firewall since you are on the internet, whether it is one supplied by your Operating System or an aftermarket security application like my Norton Security. Each firewall may have its own method of entering an IP Addresses for blacklisting, so you'll need to figure out what your firewall is and then Google how to access it and enter IP Addresses to block for "phone home" Outgoing data (data from your computer sent out onto the internet). You'll also need to figure out, as I said in my earlier post, what IP Address(es) to block to keep your printer from silently updating without your express permission.

Is it possible that your printer has an option to turn off the phone-home function? That would be nice!