Blog Post

Cyber Attackers are Targeting Kiwi Work Printers

Aug 29, 2018

In the hacker world, printers are now seen as a 'weak link' into any business network, making them one of the easiest entry points for an attack. Printer breaches now make up 16 per cent of all cyber-attacks and result in millions of dollars being lost by companies each year.

The reality is, that most businesses overlook print security with many network-connected printers having no restrictions or not being securely locked down. This can be things such as not changing their password or failing to make the password complex enough, such as using 'admin'.

Company printers are not only accessed by people across the business, but they offer network access, providing greater opportunities for attackers to compromise the device and, therefore the entire network. Hard drives, operating systems, memory storage and access to the internet are also factors that make printers vulnerable. What makes it worse, is that work printers are generally never switched off which offers hackers 24/7 access, meaning they are vulnerable all the time.

Technology advances have meant that hackers can use any free open source tool to upload malwares to printers these days, making it easy to get their foot in the door.

What can attackers do once they've hacked into your printer?
Once hackers are into your printer, there are so many different things they can do with access and information – they've not only got access to your network but also the files sent or printed.

The obvious one is they can see all information (sensitive or not) relating to your business and use this either for marketing purposes or use it against you (name and shame). They then use this information to make money in many ways, such as siphon from a bank account.

They can steal information or delete files. They can also stop you from getting access to certain things such as folders, or even your whole network, and companies can be forced to pay a ransom to get their access back.

How do you know if your work printers are exposed?
There are various ways to find out if you're exposed to thwart cyber-attacks, including educating employees on how to spot threats and what to do next. It's also important to check if you're exposed by having an expert check your printers.

Brands like HP do security assessments and can advise on your current infrastructure through their Print Security Advisory Service that is dedicated to helping companies defend themselves against cyber-attacks. HP have invested in building secure printer portfolios that are designed to detect and defend against cyber-attacks, some can even self-heal if they are breached. They can help you develop a print security plan, to help you address those risks and understand how to spot potential threats in the future.

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