If I asked you to name the biggest cybersecurity threats in your office, chances are you’d mention phishing emails, malware, or weak passwords. But what if I told you that your office printer—yes, the quiet one sitting in the corner—could actually be one of the biggest vulnerabilities in your entire network?
It might sound surprising, but hackers love targeting printers. And the reality is, most businesses have no idea how big of a security risk these devices can be—until it’s too late. In 2020, Cybernews ran their “Printer Hack Experiment.” Out of 50,000 printers tested, they were able to successfully hack into 56% of them, sending out a printout about printer security. That’s nearly 28,000 compromised devices—all because companies overlooked these “harmless” pieces of office equipment.
Wait, WHY Do Hackers Target Printers?
Because printers are a jackpot of sensitive data. They handle everything from payroll documents and contracts to private client records—yet they’re often left exposed with little to no security measures in place.
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 contracts, payroll records, and confidential files. If a hacker gains access, they can steal or even reprint these documents without anyone knowing.
- 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 hackers to break in.
- They’re a gateway 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- Outdated firmware leaves the door wide-open – Like any device, printers need regular security updates. But most businesses never update their printers’ firmware, leaving them vulnerable to known exploits.
- 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 Cyberattacks
Now that you know printers can be a security risk, here’s what you should do right away:
1.
Change The Default Password – If your printer still has the default login credentials, change them immediately. Use a strong, unique password just like you would for your e-mail or online banking account.
2.
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.
3.
Encrypt Print Jobs – Enable Secure Print and end-to-end encryption to prevent hackers from intercepting print jobs.
4.
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.
5.
Clear Stored Data Regularly – 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.
6.
Put Your Printer Behind A Firewall – Treat your printers like any other network-connected device and protect them with a firewall to block unauthorized access.
7.
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.
Don’t Let Your Printer Be Your Weakest Link
Most businesses don’t take printer security seriously because, well, it’s a printer. But hackers 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 with us—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!
