The Most Dangerous Device in Your Office Has a Paper Tray
When you think about cybersecurity threats to your business, you probably think about phishing emails, ransomware, or weak passwords. You’re not wrong — those are all major risks. But there’s one device sitting in the corner of nearly every office that rarely gets a second thought from a security perspective.
Your printer.
That multifunction copier/scanner/printer your team uses every day? It’s essentially a computer. It has a processor, memory, storage, a network connection, and in many cases, it’s running software that hasn’t been updated since the day it was plugged in. It stores copies of everything it prints and scans. And it’s almost certainly connected to the same network as the rest of your business.
Let that sink in.
Why Printers Are a Hacker’s Best Friend
Security researchers have been sounding the alarm on printer vulnerabilities for years, but it rarely makes mainstream news because — let’s be real — printers aren’t sexy. Here’s why they should be on your radar:
They Store Your Documents
Most modern printers and copiers have internal hard drives or flash storage. Every document you print, scan, copy, or fax may be stored on that drive. Tax returns. Client contracts. Employee records. Medical documents. Financial statements.
When you return a leased printer or throw out an old one, that data often goes with it — unencrypted and unwiped. There are documented cases of researchers buying used copiers and recovering thousands of sensitive documents from the hard drives inside.
They’re on Your Network
Your printer is connected to the same network as your computers, your servers, and your sensitive data. For an attacker who gains access to a poorly secured printer, it becomes a launching pad to move deeper into your network. Security professionals call this lateral movement, and your printer makes it easy.
Many printers also have features enabled by default that they don’t need: FTP services, Telnet access, web administration panels with default passwords. Each one of these is a door waiting to be opened.
They Rarely Get Updates
When was the last time you updated your printer’s firmware? If you’re like 99% of small businesses, the answer is never. Printer manufacturers do release security patches, but nobody installs them because nobody thinks of the printer as something that needs patching.
Meanwhile, attackers absolutely think about it. In 2024 and 2025, multiple critical vulnerabilities were discovered in printers from HP, Canon, Lexmark, and others — vulnerabilities that could allow an attacker to execute code on the printer remotely. If your firmware is years out of date, those vulnerabilities are wide open.
They Have Default Credentials
Go to your printer’s web admin panel right now. (Type its IP address into a browser — you can find this in the printer settings or your router.) Try logging in with “admin” and “admin” or “admin” and a blank password. If you got in, congratulations — so can anyone else on your network. And if your printer’s admin panel is exposed to the internet (which is more common than you’d think), anyone in the world can access it.
Real-World Printer Attacks
This isn’t theoretical. Here are things that have actually happened:
- PrintNightmare (2021-2022) — A series of critical vulnerabilities in Windows’ print spooler service that allowed attackers to take over entire networks through the printing system. Microsoft scrambled to patch it, but many businesses were caught off guard.
- Mass printer hijacking — Security researchers and hackers have repeatedly demonstrated the ability to send print jobs to tens of thousands of unsecured printers across the internet, printing whatever they want. Some did it to raise awareness. Others could use it for much worse.
- Data exfiltration through printers — Attackers have used compromised printers to intercept and forward copies of printed documents to external servers. Your printer can be turned into a silent spy.
How to Secure Your Office Printer
The good news is that printer security isn’t complicated. It just requires treating your printer like what it actually is: a networked computer that needs the same security hygiene as everything else in your office.
1. Change the Default Admin Password
This takes two minutes and eliminates one of the biggest risks. Access your printer’s web panel and set a strong, unique password. Do this for every printer and copier in your office.
2. Update the Firmware
Check your printer manufacturer’s website for firmware updates. Most major brands — HP, Canon, Brother, Lexmark — have support pages where you enter your model number and download the latest firmware. Set a reminder to check quarterly.
3. Disable Unnecessary Services
Does your printer need FTP? Probably not. Telnet? Definitely not. SNMP with default community strings? No. Go through the printer’s network settings and turn off everything you don’t actively use. Fewer services mean fewer attack surfaces.
4. Put Printers on a Separate Network Segment
If your network setup allows it, put your printers on their own VLAN (virtual network segment). This way, even if a printer is compromised, the attacker can’t easily jump to your computers and servers. This is something your IT provider can set up for you.
5. Enable Encryption
Many modern printers support encrypted printing (where print jobs are encrypted in transit) and encrypted storage (where the internal drive is encrypted). Turn these on. If your printer supports it, enable HTTPS for the web admin panel too.
6. Implement Secure Print Release
Secure print (also called pull printing) means print jobs don’t come out until the user authenticates at the printer — with a PIN, badge, or code. This prevents sensitive documents from sitting in the output tray where anyone can grab them. It also means abandoned print jobs don’t accumulate.
7. Wipe or Destroy Drives When Decommissioning
When you return a leased printer or dispose of an old one, wipe the internal storage first. Most printers have a factory reset or secure erase function. For extra assurance on highly sensitive environments, physically remove and destroy the hard drive.
8. Monitor Printer Logs
Your printer keeps logs of who printed what and when. Review them periodically for unusual activity — large print jobs at odd hours, scanning to unfamiliar email addresses, or admin login attempts.
The Bigger Picture: Every Device Is a Risk
Printers are just one example of a broader truth in cybersecurity: every device connected to your network is a potential entry point. This includes security cameras, smart TVs in the conference room, that old tablet used for the reception check-in, and yes — your printers.
The principle is simple: if it has an IP address, it needs security attention. If it hasn’t been updated in years and uses default credentials, it’s not a device — it’s an invitation.
Take Action Today
Here’s your five-minute security win for the day: find your printer’s IP address, open it in a browser, and check if you can log in with default credentials. If you can, change the password. That single step puts you ahead of most businesses.
Want a full network security assessment that includes your printers and every other connected device? YourTech Solutions helps South Florida small businesses lock down their entire environment — not just the obvious stuff. Get in touch — we’re always happy to troubleshoot.