The Silent Risk in the Corner – Why Your Printer Is a Cybersecurity Threat

When discussing cybersecurity, we often focus on firewalls, antivirus software, password protection, and threat detection tools. The conversation revolves around obvious endpoints like laptops, desktops, cloud servers and mobile phones. These are the devices we interact with daily and the ones we rely on to keep our business running smoothly, but one device often escapes attention, even though it can pose a serious risk – the office printer.

It’s easy to overlook the humble printer, it sits in the corner doing its job – printing reports, scanning contracts and copying documents, but under the surface, today’s multifunction printers (MFPs) are far more complex than the machines of the past. They are smart, connected and fully integrated into business networks, making them a potential goldmine for hackers.

Why are printers a target?

The average modern printer is no longer just a peripheral – it is essentially a computer with a memory, an operating system, a hard drive and network access. Many can connect to Wi-Fi, access cloud platforms, send emails and store files. The reality is that if it can connect, it can be compromised, and if it handles data, it can be stolen.

Yet, printers are rarely included in IT security audits or risk assessments. They don’t typically receive regular firmware updates. Their default passwords are often left unchanged. Their open network ports go unnoticed. Because they operate silently in the background, most people assume they don’t need protection.

Unfortunately, that kind of thinking creates the perfect storm for a cybersecurity incident. An attacker doesn’t need to break into your building or trick an employee into clicking a malicious link. If your printer is exposed, they can gain access through the network, often undetected.

Real-world risks and attacks

There have been multiple real-world cases where unsecured printers were used to gain access to sensitive information or disrupt business operations. One of the most high-profile examples came in 2017 when a hacker known as ‘Stackoverflowin’ hijacked more than 150,000 printers across the world. These printers were forced to print out unsolicited messages promoting his online forum and mocking weak security. While this may have seemed like a harmless prank, it highlighted a severe issue – tens of thousands of devices were accessible online without security.

But the risk goes beyond embarrassment. Printers can store copies of every document they scan or print on internal memory. That includes contracts, payroll reports, invoices, medical records, legal files, and everything sent through the device. If that storage isn’t encrypted or wiped regularly, anyone who accesses the printer (either remotely or in person) could walk away with a lot of sensitive data.

Additionally, a compromised printer can be used as a launching pad. Once inside your network, attackers can use it to move around, explore other systems, deploy malware, or extract data. Sometimes, printers have been used to send spam emails or even participate in distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, acting as bots in larger cybercriminal campaigns.

Common security gaps

So, why do these risks exist? It’s usually a combination of oversight and convenience. Printers are often installed quickly with little thought to long-term security. IT teams may not have a standard process for securing printers as they do for computers or mobile devices. And many employees, especially those in small to medium-sized businesses, aren’t aware that printers pose any threat.

Some of the most common vulnerabilities include:-

Default admin credentials – many printers still use factory-set usernames and passwords, which are publicly available online.
Open network ports – without proper configuration, printers can be accessed remotely via the internet or from within the network.
Unpatched firmware – security updates are often ignored or delayed, leaving known vulnerabilities open to exploitation.
Stored documents – sensitive data is left unencrypted on internal hard drives.
Lack of usage monitoring – printer activity isn’t tracked, making detecting unauthorised access or usage difficult.

How a Managed Print Service can help

This is where a Managed Print Service (MPS) becomes invaluable. An MPS goes far beyond just supplying toner and paper; it takes a strategic, security-first approach to managing your entire print environment.

A good MPS provider will:-

Audit your print infrastructure to identify potential vulnerabilities.
Implement secure access controls, ensuring only authorised users can access or release print jobs.
Encrypt stored data and print traffic, protecting documents at rest and in transit.
Ensure firmware and software are up to date, closing off known vulnerabilities.
Remotely monitor and manage your devices, alerting you to unusual activity or unauthorised access attempts.
Automate secure disposal procedures for old or decommissioned printers, including data wiping.

With an MPS in place, your print environment becomes a managed endpoint that is monitored, secured, and maintained just like the rest of your IT infrastructure. For overstretched IT teams, this also removes the burden of staying on top of print security themselves, freeing them to focus on other critical tasks.

Is it time to rethink the office printer?

Cybersecurity isn’t just about stopping hackers from breaching your website or locking down your laptops. It’s about seriously considering every connected device in your environment and treating them as part of the threat landscape.

And your printers are no exception. They may be quiet and reliable, but if they are connected, they are vulnerable. So give it the attention it deserves. Whether through internal policies or with the help of a Managed Print Service, it’s time to start taking printer security seriously.

Because when it comes to protecting your business, every device matters – including the one quietly sitting in the corner.