Print Stream Attacks and How to Defend Against Them

In today's digital world, cyber threats extend well beyond traditional networks. One often overlooked target is the humble print stream—the flow of data sent from computers to printers.? This print stream can contain sensitive information such as financial records, legal documents and personal data. Bad actors can exploit weak security to steal or alter documents, hijack printers, or spread malware. As these threats escalate, businesses must be proactive in securing their print environments.

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Why Are Print Stream Attacks Increasing?

Several factors contribute to the rise of print stream attacks:

Lack of Printer Security Awareness: Many organizations focus on securing computers and servers but overlook printers as a vulnerable endpoint.

Increased Use of Networked Printers: Printers are typically integrated into the same networks as key business systems, which increases their appeal to hackers as entry points for cyberattacks. Their connectivity and overlooked security vulnerabilities make them potential gateways for unauthorized access to sensitive data and larger network infrastructures.

Remote Work: As remote work becomes more widespread, unsecured home printers and networks introduce new vulnerabilities, heightening the risk of print stream attacks.

Common Print Stream Attack Tactics:

Interception: Hackers capture sensitive data as it moves between devices and printers over unsecured networks.

Manipulation: Hackers can alter print jobs in transit, changing the content of documents or inserting malicious code. This could result in the dissemination of false information or, worse, malware that infects the broader network.

Printer Hijacking: Hackers take control of printers to disrupt operations or spread malware.

Unauthorized Access: Attackers retrieve stored documents from unsecured printers. If printer firmware or settings aren’t secured, attackers can easily gain access to stored data.

How to Combat Print Stream Attacks:

Invest in Printers with Embedded Threat Protection: Opt for printers with built-in anti-malware protection, like those from HP, Canon and Konica Minolta, which offer advanced security features to detect and prevent threats.

Encrypt Print Data: Secure print streams with encryption to protect sensitive information in transit.

Update Firmware: As hackers often exploit vulnerabilities, outdated firmware can be a serious security risk. Regularly check for and install updates provided by your printer manufacturer to close security gaps and protect against newly discovered threats.

Access Controls: Limit who can access the printer and manage its settings. Implement strong password policies for printer interfaces and consider using multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added security.

Disable Unnecessary Features: Turn off unused printer features like web access, email-to-print, and wireless printing, which can be entry points for hackers, to minimize vulnerabilities.

Network Segmentation: Isolate printers on separate networks to limit exposure. Network segmentation limits the spread of malware if a printer is compromised.

Enable Secure Printing: Implement authentication for print jobs to ensure only authorized users can access documents.

Print stream attacks represent a growing cybersecurity risk that businesses cannot afford to ignore. By taking a proactive approach—such as encrypting print streams, updating firmware, enabling secure print features, and actively monitoring activity—organizations can greatly minimize their vulnerability to print-based cyber threats.

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