NationStates Jolt Archive

...and will report your illegal deeds to your computer.

In 2002 one Markus Kuhn, a German computer scientist, was attempting to photocopy an image of US currency for use in a lecture. To his confusion, his computer locked up. Upon further investigation, he discovered one of the more interesting "security features" of the new bill designs -- features that the government thought best not to reveal.

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/7/73/180px-EURion.svg.png

Meet the EURion Constellation. This simple five-circle pattern is embedded in your money -- hidden in plain sight, so to speak. Ever wonder why there is a cluster of annoying yellow twenties on the backs of the new $20 bills? They're really only helping to mask the Constellation; the circular zeros in the digits align to form the pattern over and over again, in multiple directions.

The Constellation is not found solely in American currency. So far, it has been discovered in the banknotes of no fewer than 33 nations around the world -- British pounds, Chinese yuans, South African rands, Mexican pesos, Tunisian dinars, and more.

It's strange, but true: all of these governments got together, and -- in complete secret -- developed a pattern which they all hid in their currency. At the same time, they contracted with several major image-processing software companies to code their products to recognize the pattern, making counterfeiting much more difficult. Any attempt at imaging the bills causes the program to freeze and refuse the command.

What else does the Constellation do? Nobody knows for sure, as no government has made a statement regarding it. It is known that EURion is not the only secret safeguard, as some programs even refuse to copy parts of bills that do not contain the pattern (http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~sjm217/projects/currency/).

Now, I know that most of ya'll aren't budding counterfeiters, but it's still an interesting thing to know...

I fail to see what is so sinister about this, I think it is a good idea.

so you could draw those circles on a piece of paper and break stuff?

so you could draw those circles on a piece of paper and break stuff?

Yeah, but playing ABBA at high volumes is better. It has a radius effect.

What else does the Constellation do?
Well, I can tell you something it won't do: oral. I paid, like, $50 for that dinner, and what do I get? Nothing. That is the last time I waste my money on an anti-counterfeiting measure.

I feel so juvenile after that, and yet, I couldn't resist the set-up. Have mercy on me, O NS, for I am but weak.

That's hot.

That's hot.

http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/brandnewday/paris-hilton-hamburger.jpg

Mmm... cheeseboobies.

The woman's jaw looks vaguely Sylvester Stallone.

Having something to prevent copying is good in a way, but to have it on the program without us knowing is a bit freaky.

http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/brandnewday/paris-hilton-hamburger.jpg

Not the first time she had meat in her mouth while on all four.

Not the first time she had meat in her mouth while on all four.

Well actually she's on her knees, with the meat in her hands.

So your comment is inaccurate!

I fail to see what is so sinister about this, I think it is a good idea.

Is it?

WHat else is tracking our money? What else is being tracked?

I'm not saying it's a bad idea, but it does make one wonder what other secret tracking technologies and agreements exist. *nod*

Well, I can tell you something it won't do: oral. I paid, like, $50 for that dinner, and what do I get? Nothing. That is the last time I waste my money on an anti-counterfeiting measure.

I feel so juvenile after that, and yet, I couldn't resist the set-up. Have mercy on me, O NS, for I am but weak.

I like weak. :)

Heh... I just realized that anybody can incorporate this image into their (or others') documents and make them impossible to photocopy. Think of the prankish possibilities...

And please stop with the hijacking, sultry as it may be.

IMHO, this shows why commercial software is bad: It can do all sorts of stuff and you can not check it. My advise: www.gimp.org

IMHO, this shows why commercial software is bad: It can do all sorts of stuff and you can not check it. My advise: www.gimp.org

w00t

Thats kind of cool in a creepy govt sort of way.

http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/brandnewday/paris-hilton-hamburger.jpg
Don't post that shit again!:mad:
-------------------------------------

How the bloody hell does it stop you from copying a part of the image without the bloody constellation?

IMHO, this shows why commercial software is bad: It can do all sorts of stuff and you can not check it. My advise: www.gimp.org


best program ever.

How the bloody hell does it stop you from copying a part of the image without the bloody constellation?

*holds flashlight under chin*

NOBODY KNOOOWS...

...

I miss Halloween already. :(

...I'm stamping that on everything I see.

ahhah this is insane.. just tried it with a new 20$ and it did lock up! :sniper:

it gave me the preview just fine but wouldn't import it.. just hung there.

it gave me the preview just fine but wouldn't import it.. just hung there.

Hit the "print screen" key.

Open up paint, or another imaging program.

Right click and paste, see what happens. :p

ahhah this is insane.. just tried it with a new 20$ and it did lock up! :sniper:

it gave me the preview just fine but wouldn't import it.. just hung there.

Did you flatten out the corners?

Hit the "print screen" key.

Open up paint, or another imaging program.

Right click and paste, see what happens. :p

Goatse?

Goatse?

I'd love for the govt to hide a picture of goatse on the currency.

Goatse?

I had blocked that out until now. Thanks. >.<

I always thought the queen on the Canadian $20 bill was pretty damn evil... :p

Your money is watching you...
and will report your illegal deeds to your computer.
Hah... Jokes on them... I don't hold on to my money long enough for them to get any information on me.


:(

I'd love for the govt to hide a picture of goatse on the currency."Your money is "mooning" you?

"Your money is "mooning" you?

Your money is spreading it's gaping asshole at you, yes.

IMHO, this shows why commercial software is bad: It can do all sorts of stuff and you can not check it. My advise: www.gimp.org


while you can bypass the photoshop protection you are sol when it comes to the hardware. i can scan it just fine on low quality (looks pretty bad) but once i crank the dpi it halts, even with a 3rd party driver.

hilarious! you can copy them just fine but again the quality does not allow any actual manipulation that would be possible with a full sized HQ image you can scan.

i learned something new today :cool:

Did you flatten out the corners?


i dug up a mint note, 2004 print. i am still lolling over this though... owned by HP.

Your money is spreading it's gaping asshole at you, yes.

In that case, putting your money where your mouth is isn't such a great idea.

Having something to prevent copying is good in a way, but to have it on the program without us knowing is a bit freaky.having it known gives hackers and programmers time to research and remove the part of the program that will reconize that pattern.


How the bloody hell does it stop you from copying a part of the image without the bloody constellation?if it's not limited to circles, and it has to be exact in size/ratio, it can be any repeating sequence.

...I'm stamping that on everything I see.let us know how that works for you. :D

In that case, putting your money where your mouth is isn't such a great idea.

Unless you're into that sort of thing. =)

Unless you're into that sort of thing. =)

Well, your average arsehole is probably cleaner than your average banknote anyway. :p

Your money is spreading it's gaping asshole at you, yes.

LOL... The Government should have those companies reprogram that secuity bit... when that pattern is reconized, it replaces the bill image with an image of goatse when you scan it.

LOL... The Government should have those companies reprogram that secuity bit... when that pattern is reconized, it replaces the bill image with an image of goatse when you scan it.

A shame bureaucracies are so humourless. If they really must be oppressive and shady and such, they should do it in a humour-filled, yet condescending way. :)

My scanner here at work has no trouble at all scanning a $20. It does however cause a notable diamond shaped artifact to appear on a pattern across the entire back side of the bill. Only visible when zooming in on the bill. At normal magnification you can't see it.

The scanner darkly.

...and will report your illegal deeds to your computer.

In 2002 one Markus Kuhn, a German computer scientist, was attempting to photocopy an image of US currency for use in a lecture. To his confusion, his computer locked up. Upon further investigation, he discovered one of the more interesting "security features" of the new bill designs -- features that the government thought best not to reveal.

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/7/73/180px-EURion.svg.png

Meet the EURion Constellation. This simple five-circle pattern is embedded in your money -- hidden in plain sight, so to speak. Ever wonder why there is a cluster of annoying yellow twenties on the backs of the new $20 bills? They're really only helping to mask the Constellation; the circular zeros in the digits align to form the pattern over and over again, in multiple directions.

The Constellation is not found solely in American currency. So far, it has been discovered in the banknotes of no fewer than 33 nations around the world -- British pounds, Chinese yuans, South African rands, Mexican pesos, Tunisian dinars, and more.

It's strange, but true: all of these governments got together, and -- in complete secret -- developed a pattern which they all hid in their currency. At the same time, they contracted with several major image-processing software companies to code their products to recognize the pattern, making counterfeiting much more difficult. Any attempt at imaging the bills causes the program to freeze and refuse the command.

What else does the Constellation do? Nobody knows for sure, as no government has made a statement regarding it. It is known that EURion is not the only secret safeguard, as some programs even refuse to copy parts of bills that do not contain the pattern (http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~sjm217/projects/currency/).

Now, I know that most of ya'll aren't budding counterfeiters, but it's still an interesting thing to know...


this is scary, i mean really scary. i think that the govt has the obligation to tell people about this.

My scanner here at work has no trouble at all scanning a $20. It does however cause a notable diamond shaped artifact to appear on a pattern across the entire back side of the bill. Only visible when zooming in on the bill. At normal magnification you can't see it.and when you print it?

How old is your scanner and Drivers?

this is scary, i mean really scary. i think that the govt has the obligation to tell people about this.no they don't. the more people know about it and sooner, the more time Hackers have to defeat the security measures.

You don't publicize exactly how your home is safeguarded, with what brand security system or what measures you are employing... same with banks, you wouldn't want them publishing how they are protecting your account information from hackers and theives.

Microsoft open sourced their codes so that other companies can tailor programs for their operating systems... now look how many hackers, viruses, and malware makers make programs geared to bypass microsoft's secuity measures.

and when you print it?

How old is your scanner and Drivers?


Didn't try to print it, that would be counterfeiting. Looks fine on the screen, no reason it wouldn't look fine on paper again. Scanner is built into my printer and is less than two years old. Drivers are probably a year or so old.

and when you print it?

How old is your scanner and Drivers?

no they don't. the more people know about it and sooner, the more time Hackers have to defeat the security measures.

You don't publicize exactly how your home is safeguarded, with what brand security system or what measures you are employing... same with banks, you wouldn't want them publishing how they are protecting your account information from hackers and theives.

Microsoft open sourced their codes so that other companies can tailor programs for their operating systems... now look how many hackers, viruses, and malware makers make programs geared to bypass microsoft's secuity measures.

i guess you make a good point. though i will tell you that the only security that my house has is a .22 and a double barrel 12 gauge shot gun.

the real question is can the "constilation" be reproduced on other documents?

Didn't try to print it, that would be counterfeiting. Looks fine on the screen, no reason it wouldn't look fine on paper again. Scanner is built into my printer and is less than two years old. Drivers are probably a year or so old.

not really its only counterfitting is he were to try and use it. besides it would only be one side of the bill any way

not really its only counterfitting is he were to try and use it. besides it would only be one side of the bill any way

dunno about that... but it does need to be destroyed completely... (shredder/burned/torn)

this is scary, i mean really scary. i think that the govt has the obligation to tell people about this.

What the hell? I'm as anti-government as any libertarian, but I fail to see a problem with this. I thought it was common knowledge that you couldn't scan/copy currency without something bad happening to your machinery.

However, the anti-counterfit measures are rather short-sighted. All currency is considered legal tender forever in the US. What's to stop someone from counterfitting the old, old twenty dollar bill (early '90's)...or even the design this new one replaced? You could make and spend your own (assuming you're good at it) and no one would be the wiser. Usually.

Maybe.

Unless you suck at it.

Then you're screwed.

The end.

i guess you make a good point. though i will tell you that the only security that my house has is a .22 and a double barrel 12 gauge shot gun.

the real question is can the "constilation" be reproduced on other documents?
did you also know that the green used on US currency is also unique? it cannot be reproduced exactly.

also the watermarks cannot be reproduced by copying and (I think) scanning.

What the hell? I'm as anti-government as any libertarian, but I fail to see a problem with this. I thought it was common knowledge that you couldn't scan/copy currency without something bad happening to your machinery.

However, the anti-counterfit measures are rather short-sighted. All currency is considered legal tender forever in the US. What's to stop someone from counterfitting the old, old twenty dollar bill (early '90's)...or even the design this new one replaced? You could make and spend your own (assuming you're good at it) and no one would be the wiser. Usually.

Maybe.

Unless you suck at it.

Then you're screwed.

The end.simple, they don't print them anymore.
so eventually all the old twenties will be removed from circulation due to usage.
(old and damaged bills are returned to the treasury dept for destuction.)

and not all bills are considered Legal Tender. you can't use currency from the Civil War era. ;)

dunno about that... but it does need to be destroyed completely... (shredder/burned/torn)
definanty burned
did you also know that the green used on US currency is also unique? it cannot be reproduced exactly.
also the watermarks cannot be reproduced by copying and (I think) scanning.


i did not know about the ink, but i did know about the watermarks.

There are no obvious abnormalities in the scanned image. I'm sure it wouldn't pass as an actual bill due to texture differences in the "paper", but the idea that you can't scan a new 20 is silly. It works quite nicely.


Also the diamond shaped artifact continues in a regular pattern across the front of the bill too. Color blending is faithfully reproduced.

while you can bypass the photoshop protection you are sol when it comes to the hardware. i can scan it just fine on low quality (looks pretty bad) but once i crank the dpi it halts, even with a 3rd party driver.


Is it GPLed?

Microsoft open sourced their codes so that other companies can tailor programs for their operating systems... now look how many hackers, viruses, and malware makers make programs geared to bypass microsoft's secuity measures.
What a load of BS! M$ never Open Sourced its programs. Linux is FLOSS*, BSD in all its flavors is FLOSS, OpenSolaris is FLOSS and yet they are MORE secure than any 'solution' by M$.

*FLOSS=Free/Libre/OpenSource Software

simple, they don't print them anymore.
so eventually all the old twenties will be removed from circulation due to usage.
(old and damaged bills are returned to the treasury dept for destuction.)

and not all bills are considered Legal Tender. you can't use currency from the Civil War era. ;)

Technically, yes you could, unless it's Confederate money. A bill or coin *technically* has to be accepted as legal tender. That wouldn't stop a store from refusing it, but they have no legal basis to do so. Granted, the money's worth more in collector value than its face value. Haha..

I know they don't print them anymore, but old twenties are still legal tender. I could counterfit old twenties (not going to :)) and they'd have to be accepted because they're still legal money.

Is it GPLed?

has to be... because it slips through on low detail

Technically, yes you could, unless it's Confederate money. A bill or coin *technically* has to be accepted as legal tender. That wouldn't stop a store from refusing it, but they have no legal basis to do so. Granted, the money's worth more in collector value than its face value. Haha..

I know they don't print them anymore, but old twenties are still legal tender. I could counterfit old twenties (not going to :)) and they'd have to be accepted because they're still legal money.

yes and no.. out of circulation basically denotes the bank taking it and exchanging them for the current ones, but not anybody else.

they can't refuse them in the sense your money is still worth "money" as far as the state is concerned and you can get reimbursed.. but trading in fakes in a bank is quite retarded.

if it were that easy, everybody would be paying with 1950s currency :D

yes and no.. out of circulation basically denotes the bank taking it and exchanging them for the current ones, but not anybody else.

they can't refuse them in the sense your money is still worth "money" as far as the state is concerned and you can get reimbursed.. but trading in fakes in a bank is quite retarded.

if it were that easy, everybody would be paying with 1950s currency :D

But...you're missing my point. A $20 bill from 1994 still has the same spending power at any place as a $20 from 2005. Name one place that's honestly going to refuse you buying, say, a DVD with an old twenty. I can think of none. I'm not talking about using bills from the 1940's.. One could, in theory, counterfit a 1994 twenty and spend it (assuming it's a good fake :p) just as readily as they could spend a new twenty.

Technically, yes you could, unless it's Confederate money. A bill or coin *technically* has to be accepted as legal tender. That wouldn't stop a store from refusing it, but they have no legal basis to do so. Granted, the money's worth more in collector value than its face value. Haha..

I know they don't print them anymore, but old twenties are still legal tender. I could counterfit old twenties (not going to :)) and they'd have to be accepted because they're still legal money.... you can try...


good luck tho.



why would anyone take a collector's bill worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and use it for the value that it represents tho is beyond me. :p

But...you're missing my point. A $20 bill from 1994 still has the same spending power at any place as a $20 from 2005. Name one place that's honestly going to refuse you buying, say, a DVD with an old twenty. I can think of none. I'm not talking about using bills from the 1940's.. One could, in theory, counterfit a 1994 twenty and spend it (assuming it's a good fake :p) just as readily as they could spend a new twenty.

yep they could. provided they get the paper and ink that the treasury dept uses.


the money pens will still work in detecting bills printed in the latter half of the 20h Century.

I'd love for the govt to hide a picture of goatse on the currency.
I have sore ribs and you making me laugh doesn't help!:p

... you can try...


good luck tho.



why would anyone take a collector's bill worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and use it for the value that it represents tho is beyond me. :p

A twenty dollar bill (assuming it's not a screw up or a star note) from the 90's is far from a collector's bill, worth nothing more than its face value.

the money pens will still work in detecting bills printed in the latter half of the 20h Century.

That they do. Those things are awesome. :D

A twenty dollar bill (assuming it's not a screw up or a star note) from the 90's is far from a collector's bill, worth nothing more than its face value.

and if you read on, bills printed in the latter half of the 20th century will still work with money pens. so any bill printed before the special paper/ink setup will be a collector's item.

Also, it was said that all bills are still usable reguardless of age.