Companies in the US, as well as abroad, are receiving spam from hackers with “antiwork” manifestos. They are delivered via receipt printers. The hacker is asking workers to join unions, decline ‘poverty wage’ and request more.
Reddit and Twitter workers posted photos showing how rebellious hackers were sending messages through the receipt printers at their jobs.
Are you being underpaid? The law protects your right to have your colleagues discuss pay. PAUVERNITY WAGES exist only because people are willing to work for them. This is one of the printed receipts.
These receipts pointed workers to the subreddit r/antiwork, where they could comment and share anti-capitalist and ‘antiwork sentiments’. They also encouraged them to strike for better working conditions.
Since then, the subreddit gained popularity with members sharing their theories on how receipts are printed.
Many people suggested that the photos were posted by hackers. However, VICE was informed by a cybersecurity analyst that insecure receipt printers are the source of network traffic. This indicates that one or more hackers may be behind the attacks.
Reddit users and workers on Twitter have shared several photos that show the rebellious message of hackers sending to workplace receipt printers.
They directed workers to the subreddit r/antiwork, where they could comment, share and discuss their antiwork and anti-capitalist views.
The r/antiwork platform describes it as a forum for people who want to stop working, have questions about work and want help in their work/life problems.
Reddit user Which of you are doing this? It’s funny!’ claimed that a message was printed at his workplace. He posted it on Reddit Tuesday. I need to know what my coworker and me are doing.
According to reports, one of the receipts contained the message: “RIDDLE me this.” What is the secret to McDonald’s Denmark’s ability to charge $22 per hour for their employees and sell Big Macs at a fraction of the price in America? Answer: UNIONS! It’s not difficult to create a UNION.
Reddit also posted receipts that advised workers to request a minimum wage equal to $25 or walk.
It is your most valuable asset. You will never have more time. You don’t know what you need to start with. You are wasting your valuable time. Get involved in the “$25 or Walk” movement. You will receive a receipt.
With thousands of users joining the forum every day, the influence of r/antiwork has grown.
Reddit posted receipts that advised workers to request a minimum wage for $25 or walk.
VICE interviewed Andrew Morris, founder and CEO of security firm Greynoise. Morris said his company actually tracked traffic that was going to unsecure receipt printers.
While some believe it is a coordinated strategy by workers with access to the printers who have taken over to gain notability across the internet, others say that ‘hackers’ behind the subversive messages.
VICE interviewed Andrew Morris, the creator of security firm Greynoise. Morris said his company actually tracked traffic that was going to unsecure receipt printers.
Morris stated that the messages appeared to be sent randomly.
He said that someone is using the same technique as mass scanning to blast massive amounts of raw TCP data to print services on the internet. The pre-written document references /r/antiwork along with counter capitalist messaging.
Morris stated that attackers sent the message via 25 servers. This makes it difficult for businesses to block just one IP address.
Morris stated that attackers sent the message via 25 servers. This makes it difficult for businesses to block just one IP address.
He said that there are more than 1,000 printers exposed.
Reddit user beachcamp shared that printers for receipts and labels are often connected to the Internet and have weak security. This makes them vulnerable to hackers.
This means that anyone can get print jobs sent to them with some knowledge. [printers]Say whatever you want, they said.
Others mentioned that subreddit members had joked about printing systems for many months so it was not surprising the incident happened.
CyberNews cybersecurity specialists took over almost 28,000 unencrypted printers around the world in 2020 to show how easy it was to hack them and what a crucial role antivirus, antimalware and VPNs play in protecting devices from potential attack.
27944 of the 50K devices that they wanted to hack were successfully accessed.
“Taking this percentage into account we can assume that of 800,000.00 internet-connected printers around the world at least 447,000 remain unprotected,” the website said.
Reddit users agreed with others that the antiwork hacker’s measure was intrusive. However, some people found it to be infuriating.
“I have received 4 messages from random people over the past week. My messages are very encouraging and inspiring. [boss’]face when he must rip them off of the printer,” a user wrote.