Is your printer safe? Millions of printers may be susceptible to being hacked
MSNBC’s Red Tape recently posted information about printers that have internet access could be remotely programmed (firmware) and information could be obtained from print jobs allowing that information to be forwarded to other computers. Very interesting article. (November 2011)
HP has fixed firmware security for many printers (http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin/hpsupport/index.pl) Look for your printer and make sure you have the latest firmware (Normally listed below drivers).
This applies to all printers – keep the firmware up to date. Often firmware adds more features and not just security features.
While we don’t support any malicious activity, it is very easy to find online printers by using Google. Make sure you lock down your printer if it is a network printer. You can set passwords on most printers’ web interface. Many printers store documents in cache and this can be a real security problem regardless if the firmware hack existed or not. This will lock down the updating of firmware for some printers. Look for manufacturers to update firmware for these printers.
