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- Outdated firmware leaves the door wide-open - Like any device, printers need security updates.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.
