April 07, 2025
If I asked
you to name the biggest cybersecurity threats in your office, you'd probably
say phishing e-mails, malware or weak passwords. But what if I told you that your
office printer - yes, the one quietly humming in the corner - could be one
of the biggest vulnerabilities in your entire network?
It sounds ridiculous, but hackers
love printers. And most businesses don't realize just how much of a
security risk they pose - until it's too late. In 2020, Cybernews ran what they called the "Printer
Hack Experiment." Out of a
sample of 50,000 devices, they successfully compromised 56% of the printers,
directing them to print out a sheet on printer security. That's nearly 28,000
compromised devices - all because businesses overlooked this "harmless" piece
of office equipment.
Wait, WHY Target
Printers?
Because printers are a goldmine of sensitive data. They process everything
from payroll documents and contracts to confidential client information. And
yet, most businesses leave them wide-open to attack.
Here's what can
happen when a hacker gains access to your printer:
●
Printers store sensitive data
- Every time you print, scan or copy a document, your printer keeps a digital
copy. Many printers have built-in hard drives that store years' worth of
documents, including payroll files, contracts and employee records. If a hacker
gains access, they can steal or even reprint those files without your
knowledge.
●
Default
passwords are a hacker's dream - Most printers come with default admin logins like "admin/admin" or "123456." Many
businesses never change them, making it ridiculously easy for cybercriminals to
take control.
●
They're an open door to your
network - Printers are connected to your WiFi and company
network. If compromised, they can be used as an entry point to install
malware or ransomware, or steal data from other devices.
●
Print jobs can be intercepted
- If your print jobs aren't encrypted, hackers can intercept documents
before they even reach the printer. That means confidential contracts, legal
documents and even medical records could be exposed.
●
They can spy on your business - Many modern
printers have built-in storage and even scan-to-e-mail features. If a
hacker compromises your device, they can remotely access scanned documents,
e-mails and stored files.
●
Outdated
firmware leaves the door wide-open - Like any device, printers need security updates. But most businesses never update their printers' firmware,
leaving them vulnerable to known exploitations.
●
Data mining from
discarded printers - Printers that were
improperly disposed of can be a goldmine for cybercriminals. Residual data
stored on discarded printers can be mined for sensitive information! This can
result in potential security breaches. Printers need to have their storage
wiped clean to avoid being vulnerable to data breaches and legal liabilities.
How To Protect Your Printers From
Hackers
Now
that you know printers can be hacked, here's what you need to do immediately:
- Change The
Default Password - If your printer still has the default login
credentials, change them immediately. Use a strong, unique password
like you would for your e-mail or bank account.
- Update Your Printer's Firmware - Manufacturers release
security patches for a reason. Log into your printer settings and check
for updates or have your IT team do
this for you.
- Encrypt Print Jobs - Enable Secure Print and end-to-end encryption to prevent
hackers from intercepting print jobs.
- Restrict Who Can Print - Use access
controls so only authorized employees can send print jobs. If your
printer supports PIN codes, require them for sensitive print jobs. You can
also add a guest option.
- Regularly Clear Stored
Data - Some printers let you manually delete stored print jobs. If
yours has a hard drive, make sure it's encrypted, and if you
replace a printer, wipe or destroy the hard drive before disposal.
- Put Your Printer Behind A
Firewall - Just like computers, printers should be
protected by a firewall to prevent unauthorized access.
- Monitor
Printer Activity - If your IT team isn't already tracking printer
logs, now is the time to start. Unusual print activity, remote access
attempts or unauthorized users printing sensitive documents should be
red flags.
Printers Aren't Just Office Equipment - They're
Security Risks
Most
businesses don't take printer security seriously because, well, it's a printer.
But cybercriminals know that businesses overlook these devices, making
them an easy target.
If
you're protecting your computers but ignoring your printers, you're leaving a
huge hole in your cybersecurity defenses.
Want
to know if your office printers are secure? Start with a FREE Network
Security Assessment - we'll check for vulnerabilities and make sure your
printers (and your entire network) aren't leaving your business exposed.
Click here to schedule
your FREE Network Assessment today!