“Just the other day I purchased a new Lexmark X5250 All-in-one printer. I installed it as per the instructions and monitored the install with Norton as I do with all new software. On reviewing the install log I noticed a program called Lx_CATS had been placed in the c:program files directory. I investigated and found a data log and an initialization file called Lx_CATS.ini. Further investigation of this file showed that Lexmark had, without my permission, loaded a Trojan backdoor on to my computer. Furthermore, it is embedded into the system registry, so average users would likely never know it was there and active.”

“Commander” goes on to say that the spyware was set to report back to the URL, www.lxkcc1.com, every thirty days. That URL is registered by Lexmark International, Inc. “Commander” then called Lexmark to demand an explanation, the company at first denied any spyware being installed on his computer. Ultimately, the customer service rep admitted that Lexmark installs what they call “tracking software” to “report back on printer and cartridge use for survey purposes.” The rep also said that the software does not transmit personal information but it does transmit the printer serial number. So, what does all this mean?

The meaning of Life, the Universe, and lx_cats
“Commander” was correct about some things. There are usually four files with lx_cats, an exe file, an ini file, and two DLL files. Sometimes, especially on the new printers, there’s a fifth file, an inf file. These files will show up as spyware or a Trojan virus on any anti-spyware or anti-virus software and will identify the Lexmark printer as the source. These files contain and track information such as the printer serial number, the serial numbers of the last eight black and color cartridges installed in your printer, the number of ink drops each cartridge has produced, number of pages printed per month, etc. They are set to report this information to the www.lxkcc1.com website, which is owned by Lexmark International, every thirty days, effectively creating a giant nationwide, possibly worldwide, database. The three items that could cause problems are the printer serial number, cartridge serial number, and ink drops produced. Let’s break down each item and examine potential problems.

I said number, not killer…
First off, let’s look at the printer serial number and the cartridge serial numbers. The printer serial number is really cut and dry. It is a unique number that identifies your printer. When you register your printer it attaches your name to that number. And therein lies a potential problem. If Lexmark is keeping that number in a database, it isn’t hard to put two and two together and link that number to your name, address, and any other personal information you had to give to register the printer. From there, they can get all sorts of information about you. It could become ripe for identity theft. Scary, right?

The cartridge serial numbers are a little more complex. Just like the printer serial number, the cartridge serial number is unique and identifies the cartridge. And its not just Lexmark that uses them, all the printer companies, HP, Dell, Epson, Canon, etc., and all compatible manufacturers use them. Now, if these files are transmitting the cartridge serial numbers, Lexmark can tell if you have been using third party compatible cartridges or refilled cartridges, which ties in with the ink drops each cartridge makes, which we will discuss later. Lexmark can then void or deny any warranty repairs or services because they have proof you are using compatible cartridges and not Lexmark OEM cartridges. Yes, according the Magnusson-Moss Act a printer manufacturer cannot void your warranty for using third party compatible or remanufactured cartridges, but they can void your warranty for just about any other reason, and Lexmark can use the fact that you are using compatibles or refills to nit-pick and find any reason to void the warranty.

One drop, two drops, three drops, four…
On to the ink drop count for each cartridge. This gets a little tricky. According to Lexmark, they no longer use any sort of electronic ink monitoring system. They now use a complex mathematical equation to calculate how many drops of ink each cartridge can generate. This equation is what determines the ink levels in your cartridges and what level of ink remaining the printer displays. So, in summary, Lexmark knows exactly how many drops of ink each cartridge can produce and exactly how many drops of ink your cartridges have produced. Knowing this, when you refill a cartridge, you are basically increasing the amount of ink drops each cartridge can make, but the mathematical equation embedded in the printer software is not increased. Therefore, Lexmark knows you are using refilled cartridges when the ink drops a cartridge has produced is more than the maximum ink drops Lexmark knows it can produce. Lexmark can then, through their “tracking software”, send a signal to your printer voiding or shutting off your cartridges. There is no proof that Lexmark does in fact do this, but in my experience of refilling cartridges, the refilled cartridges will last anywhere from ten to fifty pages and then an “invalid black / color cartridge installed” or “incorrect black / color cartridge installed” error message will appear. According to the Troubleshooting section of Lexmark printer manuals, when this error appears it means that a cartridge that is not supported by this particular printer is installed or that the cartridge installed has gone bad. The printer will not let you continue printing until the offending cartridge has been dealt with. The remedy is, of course, to install a new cartridge, preferably OEM. Since there is no electronic monitoring device for the ink level, we can only assume that the cartridge had not yet reached its maximum ink drop produced number before it was refilled and, after printing a few pages, reached that number and was shut off by the printer. The refilled cartridge will not work in any other printer that has the lx_cats files nor will they work if other OEM or refilled cartridges are used before that cartridge. The Lexmark database at www.lxkcc1.com links each cartridge serial number with the number of ink drops that cartridge has produced and updates it every thirty days. That is how, no matter how many different printers you install a used cartridge in, each printer will show the exact same ink level for that cartridge. Makes you wonder why they don’t just say “black / color cartridge empty” or “Ha ha. You can’t use refills”?

Wait, I didn’t agree to this!
The above statement is unfortunately untrue and this is where “Commander” is wrong. If you don’t read everything carefully when installing the printer, you will agree to this. The agreement to having the lx_cats files installed on your computer is hidden in the EULA. During installation, a screen will appear that has two check boxes. The first one asks if you will allow your printer to have access to the Net through your computer’s web browser in order to automatically download updates from Lexmark. The second check box asks if you would like to be a part of a program called “Lexmark Connect.” Lexmark Connect is a survey program that, as Lexmark puts it, “is designed to help Lexmark determine ways of serving its customers better through surveys and other information gathering sources.” Both of the check boxes default as checked and there is a continue button underneath. If you click on continue, another screen will appear containing the Terms and Conditions of the Lexmark Connect program. In it, it states that “survey tracking software” will be installed in your computer to assist Lexmark in this program. If both check boxes are checked and you hit “I Agree” after the Terms and Conditions, and voila! You just agreed to have these “spyware” files installed on your printer. Which, unfortunately, makes it perfectly legal.

Doesn’t Lexmark make Dell printers as well?
Yes, Lexmark does make Dell’s inkjet printers. Is this “survey tracking software” of Dell’s printers as well? The answer is a resounding ‘yes’. It is under a different file name though. Instead of lx_cats, they are called dl_cats. Just like the lx_cats files, there are four or five files with the dl_cats name. They do transmit the same information as the lx_cats files and it, interestingly enough, goes to the same website, www.lxkcc1.com.

Great. What do I do now?
If you have already installed your printer and want to remove this “survey tracking software,” the easiest solution is to search through your files and delete any file with lx_cats or dl_cats. Technically, you will be breaking a legal contract with Lexmark and they can seek legal action if they so wish. Although it seems highly unlikely that Lexmark will sue every single person that does this. Another solution is to uninstall your printer, go through your computer and delete the lx_cats files, these files will remain on your computer even after uninstalling the printer, re-install the printer, and make sure the two check boxes that allow the printer access to the Net and joining the Lexmark Connect program are not checked. Make sure the printer is not past your firewall, there are rumors circulating the Net of the Lexmark printer gaining access to the Net and downloading the lx_cats files without your knowledge, but this has not been confirmed. But it’s better to be safe than sorry.

If you haven’t installed your printer, simply uncheck those boxes before continuing during the installation process. Make sure that you do not let your printer have access to the Net for any automatic updates from Lexmark. As stated above, it is unconfirmed that your printer could download the lx_cats files as an automatic update, but it is confirmed that earlier this year Lexmark had an automatic update to its laser printers that rendered all third party manufactured chips outdated. Basically making remanufactured toner cartridges useless. Go to www.uninetimaging.com and look for an old press release about Lexmark updates for proof. So it is definitely feasible that Lexmark might try something similar with its inkjet printers.

After all this ranting…
Lexmark is well known to be actively against third party refilling and remanufacturing of cartridges. From their overuse, some would say abuse, of the Millennium Act, suing over the legal contract created by their Return Program, and multiple lawsuits against third-party suppliers. If the “survey tracking software” doesn’t bother you, than that’s a choice you’re free to make. Myself, I don’t like the idea of Lexmark monitoring me through my printer. Yes, you can get fairly good Lexmark printers for a low price compared to others, but what’s the point if I have to spend the same amount I bought the printer for in ink every month, and Lexmark not allowing me to choose which inks I want to use in my printer? I don’t see much of one.

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