May 19, 2025
Your Printer Could Be a Hacker's Favorite Office Tool
Think your biggest cybersecurity threats are phishing scams, malware, or reused passwords? Think again.
What if the biggest vulnerability in your office was sitting quietly in the corner... your printer?
It might sound far-fetched, but modern printers are a treasure trove for cybercriminals. In fact, during a 2020 "Printer Hack Experiment" conducted by Cybernews, researchers targeted 50,000 internet-connected printers. Over 56% of them, nearly 28,000 devices, were successfully compromised. The only thing stopping hackers from exploiting yours might just be time.
Why Do Hackers Target Printers?
Because they're easy to access and full of sensitive data.
Printers handle everything from payroll and HR documents to confidential contracts and client records. And yet, most companies treat them like glorified paper dispensers instead of high-risk endpoints.
Here's what could go wrong:
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Printers store data: Many multifunction printers have hard drives that save copies of what's been scanned, printed, or copied. That means years' worth of sensitive information could be sitting there unprotected.
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Default credentials are wide open: Too many printers still use factory-default usernames and passwords like "admin" or "123456." Hackers count on it.
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They're connected to your network: If a printer is breached, it can serve as a backdoor into the rest of your business infrastructure, potentially leading to data theft or ransomware.
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Unsecured print jobs can be intercepted: Without encryption, confidential documents can be intercepted before they're even printed.
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Built-in spying potential: Scan-to-email features, remote access, and cloud sync functions can be exploited to gather information quietly.
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Firmware goes forgotten: Most organizations forget to update their printer firmware, leaving them vulnerable to known exploits.
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Disposal dangers: Old printers can still hold data. If not wiped properly, they can leak sensitive information long after being retired.
How To Lock Down Printer Security
Here are essential steps every business should take:
1. Change Default Passwords
Update the admin login with a strong password as soon as the printer is deployed. Never leave default credentials in place.
2. Keep Firmware Updated
Just like your computers, printers need regular software updates to fix security flaws. Check for updates frequently or automate them if possible.
3. Use Print Encryption
Enable secure printing protocols and encrypt print jobs end-to-end to protect sensitive data during transmission.
4. Limit Access
Set permissions so that only authorized users can print, especially when handling sensitive files. Enable PIN or badge authentication if supported.
5. Erase Stored Data
Clear cached documents regularly. If the printer has a hard drive, ensure it's encrypted and wiped before recycling or replacing the device.
6. Place Printers Behind a Firewall
Segment your printer from critical systems with a firewall to limit exposure if it's ever compromised.
7. Monitor Activity Logs
Monitor printer usage logs for signs of unauthorized access, abnormal activity, or attempted breaches.
Printers Deserve a Place in Your Cybersecurity Strategy
Printers aren't just peripherals; they're internet-connected computers with access to your network. Treating them like harmless office tools leaves your business exposed.
At Dragonfly MSP, we help secure every device that touches your network, including the ones most businesses overlook.
📌 Schedule Your FREE Network Security Assessment Today!
We'll review your current setup, identify weak points (including unsecured printers), and provide a practical, proactive plan to lock down your environment.