PostScript Printer Virus

DocumentID: 646284
Revision Date: 29-Feb-96 8:19:13 PM

The information in this document applies to:
WordPerfect® 5.1 for DOS

Problem

Solutions: There is a virus-like file that PostScript printer users have encountered in several different parts of the country. When a user sends a particular graphics image or font to a PostScript printer, it sets an internal password which disables some of the printer's functionality forever. The functionality can be put back to normal if a chip or board exchange takes place, or the user can contact the printer manufacturer. The problem manifests itself by not allowing any downloaded fonts to stay resident in the printer. Printing from a Macintosh through Appletalk may render the printer useless. Some users may already be experiencing these kinds of problems in which case WPCorp cannot duplicate them except with their printers. They may think it is a problem with WP. WPCorp really has no way of making sure the vandalization has taken place on a user's printer, but a printer that has just started exhibiting these problems is a candidate for vandal suspicion. Development is working on a way to detect the vandal code when the user imports an EPS file into WP, but WP doesn't check in the current release. For customers who feel that this description matches their problems, direct them to their printer manufacturer. Adobe's agreement with printer manufacturers provided for this. The vandal code is in no way part of WP or anything WPCorp ships. The vandal code is in an EPS (Encapsulated PostScript file) or in a downloadable font. WPCorp does not ship anything of this sort. It is only spread through sharing EPS files or fonts with someone else who has the vandal EPS file or font file.

Answer:

Details:

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