HP Dynamic Security
Dynamic Security is a technology implemented by HP in some of their printers to restrict the use of aftermarket cartridges. This technology ensures that only original cartridges can be used, and it operates through two main mechanisms:[1]
- Cartridge Policy: This feature ensures that only HP original cartridges are compatible with the printer. The ability to use non-HP cartridges is effectively disabled unless Dynamic Security is turned off.
- Cartridge Protection: This feature permanently associates cartridges with the specific printer they are first installed in. Once a cartridge is linked to a printer, it cannot be refilled when it runs out of ink, or reused in another printer. Even swapping chips from an empty original cartridge to a new aftermarket one will not make it functional.
Potential security threats[edit | edit source]
HP claims that when using an aftermarket cartridge, the customer is exposed to quality and potential security risks, compromising the printing experience.[2] To go into more detail on the security part, HP CEO Enrique Lores has explained that Dynamic Security aims to protect customer from viruses da could be injected into third party cartridges, and used to gain persistent access and full control of the printer. However, this type of attack has no real-world evidence to support it, as such an incident has never been documented. Experts argue that the risk of such an attack occurring is practically non-existent. It is worth noting that these security concerns only exist because HP's official cartridges contain chips, designed to verify authenticity and estimate ink levels. These chips are not essential for the printer to function properly. However, the ink level estimation feature is used to restrict certain functionalities, such as scanning, or faxing, when the one of four ink levels are too low.[3]
How to disable Dynamic Security[edit | edit source]
There are some printer models where Dinamic Security can easily be turned off:[4]
1. Printers Manufactured Before December 1, 2016[edit | edit source]
- HP Officejet Pro 6970, 7740, 8210, 8700
- HP Officejet 6950
- HP PageWide 300, 400, 500
2. All Printers, Regardless of Manufacturing Date[edit | edit source]
- HP OfficeJet 6810, 6820
- HP OfficeJet Pro 6230, 6830, 8610, 8620, 8630, 8640, 8660
- HP X451dn/dw, X476dn/dw, X551dw, X576dw
To do that, you can follow this guide.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ https://www.scc-inc.com/Newsroom/What-is-Dynamic-Security-How-Does-it-Impact-You
- ↑ https://www.notebookcheck.net/HP-cites-threat-of-viruses-from-non-HP-printer-cartridges-to-justify-blocking-their-use-experts-sceptical.795726.0.html
- ↑ https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Scanning-Faxing-Copying/can-t-scan-due-to-low-ink-I-shouldn-t-need-ink-to-scan-a/td-p/8308292
- ↑ https://www.compandsave.com/how-to-disable-hp-cartridge-protection
- CAN Article regarding Class Action Lawsuit: https://clg.org/Class-Action/List-of-Class-Actions/HP-All-in-One-Printer-and-Third-Party-Ink-Cartridge-Incompatibility-Canadian-Class-Action
- US Article regarding Class Action Lawsuit: https://www.courthousenews.com/class-action-against-hp-over-all-in-one-printers-survives-motion-to-dismiss/
- CLASS ACTION: https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/hp-all-in-one-amended-complaint.pdf