That network printer in your office? It's a computer running outdated software, rarely patched, with access to everything you print. Hackers know this.
Why Printers Are Vulnerable
- Default passwords — Most are never changed from "admin"
- No updates — Printer firmware is rarely patched
- Network access — They can see all network traffic
- Stored documents — Print queues contain sensitive data
Real Printer Attacks
In 2018, a hacker accessed 50,000 printers worldwide to print messages. More seriously, printers have been used to pivot into networks, steal documents, and install malware.
How to Secure Your Printers
- Change default admin passwords immediately
- Put printers on a separate network segment
- Disable unused protocols (FTP, Telnet, SNMP)
- Enable encrypted printing (SSL/TLS)
- Update firmware quarterly
- Enable automatic job deletion
Managed Print Services
We can manage your printer security as part of our managed IT services—including automatic firmware updates, security configuration, and monitoring for threats.