This content was created by Robert Siciliano. This content was uploaded by Robert Siciliano. This is a YouTube news report titled "Anti Semitic Flyers Printing on Hacked University Devices" (Fox 25 News) dated March 25, 2016. The excerpt is an English live field report by Erica Ricci at Northeastern University about anti‑Semitic flyers being printed from compromised printers and fax machines at Northeastern and UMass Amherst. It includes on‑camera reporting, student reactions, campus official comments, and analysis from security expert Robert Siciliano of Hotspot Shield about how networked devices with IP addresses (like wireless printers) can be accessed and why segregated device networks might be targeted. The schools say student data does not appear compromised and investigations were ongoing.
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Anti-Semitic flyers are showing up at area college campuses. The flyers are being sent to printers and fax machines. Fox 25's Erica Ricci is live at Northeastern University in Boston. And Erica, flyers were sent to printers there.
That's right, and also at UMass Amherst, Mark. And that's where I want to begin right now. And in fact, I want to do so about a month ago. Early last month, there were some signs of swastikas posted all over the campus there. Now today, those printers that printed out these messages there bore the same symbol, and they had the message calling for white men in particular to join a particular anti-Semitic group. As you said, those same messages came out of printers and fax machines here at Northeastern University as well, but both schools acted very quickly in order to protect the students.
I'm, I'm kind of offended. I didn't know about this before.
We were the ones who broke the news to Northeastern students tonight about the hate-filled flyers pouring out of the school's printers and fax machines today. The university told us via email its IT security experts resolved the issue quickly, but the fact that they showed It all is puzzling to students here.
I don't understand what that accomplishes.
The flyer showed up on printers and fax machines at UMass Amherst this morning as well. Its content: racist, anti-Semitic, and hate-filled.
I don't think it should be tolerated on a campus like this where people should feel safe and free to do what they want and like without feeling in danger.
The chancellor agrees. In an email he sent to students informing them of the breach, he says, quote, we condemn this cowardly and hateful act. This despicable incident reminds us that we must must not be complacent as we continue to strive for a society that embraces diversity, inclusion, and equity. A society where everyone feels safe and welcome. But how do such prominent institutions become the victims of hackers? Here's security expert Robert Siciliano of Hotspot Shield.
Anything with an IP address, uh, can be accessed, and if there are vulnerabilities in that device, then yes, in fact, they can be hacked.
That includes wireless printers, and that means if anyone from anywhere can get past the device's firewalls, they have unlimited access to the system. How the hackers got past the firewall is all part of the ongoing investigation, but Siciliano offers a possibility.
The printers and the fax machines may be on a separate system than other, maybe more critical assets.
And of course, neither school can speak to that in the interest of security. Now, according to UMass Amherst, it appears that these messages were generated off campus by what appears to be a hate group. Right now, it does not look like either school's computer system or students' personal information was compromised as well. Live in Boston tonight, Erica Ricci, Fox 25 News.
