When you think of cybersecurity, you probably think of cybercriminals hacking into your network. Firewalls, antivirus software, and weak passwords may come to mind. But an often-overlooked cyber threat to businesses is the office printer.
You might not initially think of the printer as a security threat. However, modern printers are no longer just simple, standalone machines. They are fully networked devices with storage, operating systems, and wireless connectivity. That means they can be just as vulnerable to cyberattacks as computers or servers.
Let’s look at a few hidden cybersecurity risks of office printers --the common vulnerabilities that hackers exploit, and what steps you can take to protect your business from printer-based data breaches.
Today’s multifunction printers (MFPs) are powerful tools. They connect to your network, communicate with cloud services, store scanned documents, and may include web interfaces for remote management. These features improve productivity significantly, but they also create multiple points of entry for cybercriminals.
Hackers can access unsecured printers through open network ports or gain entry via weak passwords. Malware can also spread to printers from infected computers or emails; and unauthorized users can intercept print jobs over WI-FI or the local network.In one instance hackers gained control of thousands of printers worldwide, forcing them to print messages to prove that the machines were vulnerable. Hackers used a search engine for internet-connected devices to find printers that were accidentally exposed to the internet. They then used automated programs to find printers with no basic security controls enabled. Upon finding a vulnerable device, the program would send a command for the printer to print a specific message. In that case, it highlighted just how easy it can be to exploit poorly secured devices.What is the lesson learned from this? It is that you should treat printers as part of your IT infrastructure, not merely as office equipment. Be certain that your IT team includes printers in your network security policies, as they do with servers or routers.
You may think of copiers and cybersecurity as different “silos,” but they do intersect.
Did you know that modern printers have internal hard drives and memory storage? These components temporarily save scanned documents, print queues, and fax transmissions. If this data is not properly managed or erased, it can become a treasure trove for hackers or anyone with physical access to the machine.
Think of what is potentially at risk! Confidential business contracts, payroll data, and customer information could be retrieved from printer storage. And. when leasing or recycling old printers, unencrypted data can be extracted from their memory drives.
What you can do to minimize the risk:
It is common in offices for employees to hit “print” and retrieve their documents minutes later (but sometimes forgetting them entirely). This simple habit can expose confidential information to anyone walking by the printer.
Consider what may be at risk with this practice: financial reports, client or employee personal data, or legal and proprietary documents.
What you can do:
This simple change prevents accidental exposure and reinforces your organization’s overall data security culture.
Printers, like any other smart device, rely on firmware—the embedded software that controls their functions. Outdated firmware can contain unpatched security flaws that hackers can exploit to access your network or install malicious code.
Although manufacturers regularly issue firmware updates to address vulnerabilities, many business owners neglect these updates, especially for older model units. Attackers can then exploit these gaps to gain access or spread malware through connected systems.
What you can do:
Leaving printer login screens unsecured, or not changing the default administration password, leaves your printer wide open to unauthorized users inside and outside the organization.
What can happen in these circumstances is that unauthorized users can access scanned documents or stored files; someone could tamper with printer settings to reroute documents or disable security features. And the printer can be used in these circumstances as a gateway to access other networked devices.
What you can do:
Cloud printing and mobile printing are convenient, especially in hybrid work environments. However, they can present new security challenges. Without the proper configuration, these features can allow outside connections to an internal network. Risks include exposing print jobs over unsecured Internet connections, unauthorized access through third-party cloud services, and data leakage from mobile devices using public Wi-Fi.
What you can do:
Remember: your office printer is really a computer
The office printer might seem harmless where “hacking” is concerned, but it is not. It is effectively a computer with a network connection, which makes it a legitimate cybersecurity concern. From unencrypted data storage to outdated firmware and weak passwords, printers present a range of risks that many businesses overlook.
By incorporating your printers into your company’s cybersecurity strategy, you can close a major gap in your defenses. Start by ensuring firmware is current, passwords are strong, and data is encrypted. Add secure print release systems, monitor device activity, and train employees to treat printers as part of your digital ecosystem.
Cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting your computers. It’s about protecting every connected device in your office. With the right safeguards, your office printer can be both productive and secure, ensuring that convenience does not come at the cost of vulnerability.
Do you have questions about printers and security?
If you are looking for advice on how to secure your printers, or to learn more about what the latest in printer and copier technology can do for your business, please give us a call at 888-357-4277, or visit https://pulsetechnology.com. We are here to help!