When thinking about cybersecurity threats, most business owners think of phishing emails, ransomware, or weak passwords. But there’s one surprising culprit that’s often overlooked — your office printer.
It may sound harmless, but today’s multifunction printers are connected to your network, store sensitive data, and often lack basic security protections. In fact, a 2020 Cybernews Printer Hack Experiment successfully compromised 56% of 50,000 printers, simply because businesses underestimated the threat.
Let’s break down why your office printer could be a major vulnerability and how to fix it.
Why Are Hackers Targeting Office Printers?
1. They Store Sensitive Business Data
Printers often retain digital copies of documents — contracts, tax forms, employee records — even after printing. This data can be accessed or reprinted by hackers if the device is compromised.
Printers often retain digital copies of documents — contracts, tax forms, employee records — even after printing. This data can be accessed or reprinted by hackers if the device is compromised.
2. Default Passwords Provide Easy Access
Many printers still use factory-default logins like “admin/admin.” Hackers actively scan for these devices online and exploit them with minimal effort.
Many printers still use factory-default logins like “admin/admin.” Hackers actively scan for these devices online and exploit them with minimal effort.
3. They’re Connected to Your Network
Modern printers connect via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Once hacked, they can be used as a gateway to your entire IT infrastructure, enabling malware delivery, data theft, or even ransomware deployment.
Modern printers connect via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Once hacked, they can be used as a gateway to your entire IT infrastructure, enabling malware delivery, data theft, or even ransomware deployment.
4. Print Jobs Can Be Intercepted
Without encryption, print jobs can be intercepted mid-transfer. That’s a serious risk if you’re handling financial documents, contracts, or medical records.
Without encryption, print jobs can be intercepted mid-transfer. That’s a serious risk if you’re handling financial documents, contracts, or medical records.
5. Firmware is Rarely Updated
Printers are often ignored during routine IT maintenance. Outdated firmware means known vulnerabilities remain unpatched, making your devices easy targets.
Printers are often ignored during routine IT maintenance. Outdated firmware means known vulnerabilities remain unpatched, making your devices easy targets.
6. Discarded Printers May Still Contain Data
When printers are retired without wiping their internal memory, cybercriminals can extract sensitive business data from them.
When printers are retired without wiping their internal memory, cybercriminals can extract sensitive business data from them.
How to Secure Your Office Printers
Change Default Login Credentials
Replace factory logins with strong, unique passwords. Treat your printer like a network-connected computer.
Update Printer Firmware Regularly
Check for and install firmware updates to patch security vulnerabilities. Your IT provider can automate this process.
Enable Secure Printing and Encryption
Use secure print features and end-to-end encryption to prevent unauthorized access and data interception.
Restrict Access with PINs or User Authentication
Set permissions so only approved employees can print sensitive documents. Use PINs or badges where supported.
Clear Stored Data Periodically
Wipe print queues and hard drives regularly. Before disposing of a printer, ensure its memory is securely erased.
Place Printers Behind a Firewall
Like any other endpoint, printers should be protected with firewall rules to prevent external access.
Monitor Print Logs for Suspicious Activity
Track printing behavior and flag unusual activity. Sudden spikes or prints outside business hours may indicate a breach.
Printers Are Easy to Overlook — But Hackers Don’t
Cybercriminals target what businesses ignore. And since most offices don’t treat printers like high-risk devices, they’re the perfect backdoor into your systems.
Don’t wait until a data breach costs you clients or compliance.
Ready to Secure Your Office Printers?
Get a FREE Network Security Assessment today. We’ll check your printers, network, and connected devices for hidden vulnerabilities — and help you lock them down before hackers find them.