Black fax: Difference between revisions
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The basic principle of a black fax can be extended to form a ''black fax attack.'' In this case, one or more sheets are fed halfway through the sender's fax machine and taped end to end, forming an endless loop that cycles through the machine. Not only can solid black be used, but also images which will repeat endlessly on the receiver's machine until its toner runs out. |
The basic principle of a black fax can be extended to form a ''black fax attack.'' In this case, one or more sheets are fed halfway through the sender's fax machine and taped end to end, forming an endless loop that cycles through the machine. Not only can solid black be used, but also images which will repeat endlessly on the receiver's machine until its toner runs out. |
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The introduction of [[Fax server|computer-based facsimile systems]] (combined with integrated document imaging solutions) at major corporations now means that black faxes are unlikely to cause problems for larger corporations. On the other hand, the ability of computer modems to send faxes offers new avenues for abuse. A program could be used to generate hundreds of pages of highly compressed, pure black - or huge volumes of relevant-looking, original, non-repeating high-black-density junk, just as effective but far more difficult to counteract - and send them very quickly to the target fax machine. Black faxes have been used by the group [[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]] as a protest against the [[Westboro Baptist Church]]. |
The introduction of [[Fax server|computer-based facsimile systems]] (combined with integrated document imaging solutions) at major corporations now means that black faxes are unlikely to cause problems for larger corporations. On the other hand, the ability of computer modems to send faxes offers new avenues for abuse. A program could be used to generate hundreds of pages of highly compressed, pure black - or huge volumes of relevant-looking, original, non-repeating high-black-density junk, just as effective but far more difficult to counteract - and send them very quickly to the target fax machine. Black faxes have been used by the group [[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]] as a protest against the [[Westboro Baptist Church]]. {{Citation needed}} |
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Black faxes are similar (in both intention and implementation) to [[lace card]]s. |
Black faxes are similar (in both intention and implementation) to [[lace card]]s. |
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Revision as of 19:36, 29 October 2012
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2008) |
The term black fax refers to a prank fax transmission, consisting of one or more pages entirely filled with a uniform black tone. The sender's intention is typically to consume as much of the recipient's fax ink, toner, or thermal paper as possible, thus costing the recipient money and/or denying the recipient the use of their machine (this is similar to computer-based denial of service attacks). This is made easier because the fax transmission protocols compress the solid black image very well, so a very short fax call can produce many pages.
Black faxes have been used to harass large institutions or government departments, to retaliate against the senders of junk faxes, or merely as simple pranks.
The basic principle of a black fax can be extended to form a black fax attack. In this case, one or more sheets are fed halfway through the sender's fax machine and taped end to end, forming an endless loop that cycles through the machine. Not only can solid black be used, but also images which will repeat endlessly on the receiver's machine until its toner runs out.
The introduction of computer-based facsimile systems (combined with integrated document imaging solutions) at major corporations now means that black faxes are unlikely to cause problems for larger corporations. On the other hand, the ability of computer modems to send faxes offers new avenues for abuse. A program could be used to generate hundreds of pages of highly compressed, pure black - or huge volumes of relevant-looking, original, non-repeating high-black-density junk, just as effective but far more difficult to counteract - and send them very quickly to the target fax machine. Black faxes have been used by the group Anonymous as a protest against the Westboro Baptist Church. [citation needed]
Black faxes are similar (in both intention and implementation) to lace cards.
External links
- Black Fax at WordSpy
- Douglas Rushkoff (18 July 2002). "Extreme response not a solution". The Guardian.
- Description of Black Faxing in court documents[dead link] — usdoj.gov Archive copy