5 Ways to Protect Your Printer from Cyberattacks

Submitted by Karla Metzler on Fri, 24 Oct 2025 - 09:02

You probably lock your phone with a passcode and protect your email with two-factor authentication. But when was the last time you thought about your office printer’s security?

In 2020, researchers at CyberNews hijacked nearly 28,000 printers during an experiment designed to test how exposed networked devices really are. What they discovered was alarming; hundreds of thousands of business printers were left wide open to attack.

For many offices, the printer is the last thing anyone worries about. But by leaving it unsecured, it becomes an entry point for hackers to access sensitive data.

At STPT, we’ve spent more than 35 years helping North Texas businesses protect their office technology. As print vendors and Xerox partners, we know firsthand how overlooked printers are when it comes to cybersecurity.

In this guide, you’ll learn the five best ways to protect your printer from cyberattacks, including one many companies never consider: knowing when it’s time to upgrade. We’ll also touch on advanced solutions for those managing larger printer fleets.

Table of Contents

Why Printer Security Deserves More Attention
5 Ways to Protect Your Printer from Cyberattacks
- Update Your Firmware Regularly
- Set Your Printer Behind a Firewall
- Use IP Filtering to Control Access
- Choose a Printer Brand That Prioritizes Security
- Upgrade When Necessary
Advanced Solutions for Larger Printer Fleets
What to Do if Your Printer Is Breached
Conclusion: Protecting What Keeps Your Business Moving

Why Printer Security Deserves More Attention

Security breaches are increasing as our reliance on the internet grows. They can come in various forms like ransomware, trojans, and malware, and can be devastating to a business both financially and in terms of reliability.

Most people don’t think of their printer as a computer, but it is, and just like your computer, it’s connected to your network. Every document you scan, print, or copy passes through it, and it often leaves traces of data on the device’s hard drive.

The 2020 CyberNews experiment revealed how easy it is for cybercriminals to exploit unsecured devices. Out of 800,000 internet-accessible printers, more than 447,000 were vulnerable to intrusion. For any hacker, that’s a goldmine of opportunity.

If your business prints anything confidential, such as client records, invoices, contracts, or HR documents, securing your printer should be as routine as locking your doors at night.

5 Ways to Protect Your Printer from Cyberattacks

Now that you’re aware of the threat of printer cybersecurity, we’re going to give you five proactive steps you can take to ensure that your printer will be as safe as possible against a cyberattack:

1. Update Your Firmware Regularly

Firmware acts as your printer’s built-in operating system, the essential code that enables it to function and communicate. Manufacturers regularly release updates to fix bugs and enhance security. Ignoring these updates is like skipping oil changes in your car: it may run smoothly for a while, but eventually, overlooked issues can cause problems.

Here’s how to stay protected:

Enable automatic firmware updates if available.
Turn on update notifications so you never miss a patch.
Set quarterly reminders to check for new releases if updates aren’t automatic.

Keeping your firmware current is one of the simplest yet most powerful steps you can take to prevent printer-based attacks.

2. Set Your Printer Behind a Firewall

Your office firewall acts as a digital security guard. It filters traffic entering and leaving your network and blocks suspicious activity before it reaches your printer.

When your printer sits outside your firewall (which can happen if it’s set up incorrectly), it’s exposed to anyone on the internet.

To secure it:

Coordinate with your IT provider to make sure all printers are behind your company firewall.
Disable direct internet printing or wireless access points that bypass it.
Monitor network activity for unusual printer connections.

This layer of protection keeps outside threats from ever reaching your device.

3. Use IP Filtering to Control Access

Imagine hosting a party where you only let invited guests in the door. That’s what IP filtering does for your printer.

IP filtering allows your printer to communicate only with approved devices, while blocking all others. It’s especially helpful in offices where multiple departments share a network or when employees print remotely.

The exact process will vary depending on your printer brand and model, but here are the general steps to set it up:

Identify the IP addresses of authorized computers and devices.
Configure your printer to accept connections only from that list.
Update the list when new devices are added or old ones are retired.

It’s a simple yet effective way to keep strangers out of your network.

4. Choose a Printer Brand That Prioritizes Security

Not all printers are built with security in mind, and that’s something businesses rarely consider when buying new devices.

One of the reasons we partner with Xerox is because they’ve made printer security a cornerstone of their technology. For example, Xerox’s Configuration Watchdog, a feature built-in to many of their printers, continuously monitors your device settings. If anything changes, whether intentional or not, it automatically restores your approved configurations.

That means you don’t have to manually monitor each device. The printer protects itself.

Xerox also collaborates with top security firms like Trellix (formerly McAfee) and Cisco, ensuring their devices integrate with broader cybersecurity frameworks.

Most major printing companies partner with security firms to enhance product security and prevent unauthorized access. For example, Canon partners with Symphion to strengthen printer fleet security, and Konica Minolta provides penetration testing through its company, Depth Security.

When you choose a printer brand that actively invests in protecting its users, you’re choosing peace of mind.

5. Upgrade When Necessary

Here’s a truth many businesses don’t want to hear: sometimes, your printer’s biggest security flaw is simply its age.

Older printers stop receiving firmware updates, lack encryption capabilities, and can’t support modern network protections. The longer you keep them, the more vulnerable they become.

You might need to upgrade if your printer:

Is more than 5–7 years old.
No longer gets firmware or driver updates.
Doesn’t support password-protected printing or data encryption.

Just like an outdated lock on your office door puts you at risk, so too does an outdated printer.

Advanced Solutions for Larger Printer Fleets

If your business manages multiple devices or relies heavily on cloud workflows, basic steps might not be enough.

Here are two scalable solutions worth exploring:

Managed Print Services (MPS): Offers centralized oversight of your entire printer fleet, including security monitoring and maintenance.
Print Management Software: Adds user authentication, print tracking, and permission controls, which allow you to monitor how and when devices are used.

Some companies combine both for complete visibility. Whether you manage one device or fifty, these tools help ensure no printer goes unprotected.

What to Do if Your Printer Is Breached

Even with precautions, no system is 100% invincible. If you suspect your printer has been compromised, taking quick action can make all the difference.

Disconnect the printer from the network immediately.
Change all admin passwords and user credentials.
Update the firmware to patch potential vulnerabilities.
Contact your IT provider or vendor for a full security review.

If your printer does get hacked, it doesn’t mean you need to buy a new printer. However, it might be time to reassess your safeguards.

Conclusion: Protecting What Keeps Your Business Moving

At the end of the day, printers are more than just office accessories. These devices are part of your digital ecosystem. And as businesses become more connected, every device that touches your network matters.

You’ve now learned five practical, proven ways to protect your printer from cyberattacks, from simple firmware updates to knowing when it’s time for an upgrade. And if your organization manages multiple printers or relies on the cloud, you’re now aware of advanced tools that can help you stay one step ahead.

Now that you’ve strengthened your understanding of printer security with STPT, it’s time to take the next step toward peace of mind.

Check out: Printer Security: Xerox’s Approach and Why It Matters to learn how Xerox takes protection to the next level with built-in, automated, and enterprise-grade printer security.