Protect Your Printers from Cybercriminals: 8 Tips to Improve Security
April 1, 2022
Last Modified On: October 7, 2026
Office printers are connected computers, so hackers can use them to steal documents or get into your network. To protect them, change default passwords, update firmware, limit network access, use a firewall, encrypt stored data, clear print trays, and train staff.
8 Printer Security Tips at a Glance
Here are 8 simple steps to close that gap.
| # | Tip | What It Stops |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Set up printers correctly | Default passwords, open guest networks |
| 2 | Check print trays often | Sensitive pages left out in the open |
| 3 | Keep malware protection updated | Attacks spreading through the device |
| 4 | Limit network access | Outsiders reaching your printer |
| 5 | Update your printers | Known security holes |
| 6 | Use a firewall | Outside interference |
| 7 | Encrypt storage and print jobs | Stolen or intercepted data |
| 8 | Train your employees | Human error and phishing |
1. Set Up Your Printers Correctly
Start with the basics.
- Change the default password. Anyone can access a printer remotely, and a weak default code won’t stop them.
- Use your own trusted router for remote printing.
- Never connect a business printer to a guest network.
2. Check print trays often
Clear out unused pages that carry sensitive information. This one habit prevents a lot of data leaks. If paper tends to pile up, get an office shredder. It’s a cheap fix.
3. Keep malware and firmware protection updated
Printer threats change over time, so your protection needs to keep up too. Many printers now come with built-in defenses. For example, HP Sure Start checks the printer’s firmware every time it starts up. If it finds tampering, it reboots to a safe state on its own.
This stops an attack before it can spread. Treat printers like any other device in your endpoint protection plan.
4. Limit access to the network
An unprotected printer is an easy target. Here’s what to do:
- If you don’t need remote printing, turn it off.
- If you do need it, set the printer to accept jobs only from your trusted network.
This keeps outsiders from reaching the device. Put printers on a separate network segment as part of your network design.
5. Update your printers
Printer makers patch security holes, just like phone and computer software does. Skipping updates leaves those holes open. Check for printer updates every quarter to stay ahead of known problems.
6. Use a firewall
Most offices already have one. If yours doesn’t, get one now, it’s a basic requirement, not an upgrade. Keep the firewall on your computers turned on. For stronger protection, use a dedicated firewall for the whole network.
7. Encrypt your storage
Here’s a risk many people miss: when a print job travels from a computer to a printer, someone can intercept it. And after it prints, the document often stays stored on the printer’s drive as an image.
To fix this:
- Encrypt print jobs in transit.
- Encrypt the data stored on the printer itself.
Many modern printers already have tools for this. You can use them to set a secure password, remove access for former employees, and clear the print queue automatically once a job is done.
8. Train Your Employees
Everyone who uses the printer shares responsibility for keeping it safe. Talk to your team about:
- Basic physical and digital printer safety
- The extra risk of printing from a phone, since phones are easier to hack than a managed desktop
- How to spot a phishing attempt
- How to handle confidential information
Frequently Asked Questions
Can printers be hacked?
Yes. Network printers run software and store data, so they can be used to steal documents or attack the rest of the network.
How do I secure an office printer?
Change default passwords, update firmware, limit network access, encrypt stored data, and clear print trays.
Should printers be on a separate network?
Ideally yes. Separating printers limits what an attacker can reach if a printer is compromised.
Want help securing your printers?
CloudConsole secures printers and other office devices as part of our cybersecurity services. Get in touch for a 10 to 15-minute chat.