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If I asked you to name the biggest cybersecurity threats in your office, you’d probably say phishing e-mails, malware or weak passwords. But what if I told you that your office printer – yes, the one quietly humming in the corner – could be one of the biggest vulnerabilities in your entire network?

It sounds ridiculous, but hackers love printers. And most businesses don’t realize just how much of a security risk they pose – until it’s too late. In 2020, Cybernews ran what they called the “Printer Hack Experiment.” Out of a sample of 50,000 devices, they successfully compromised 56% of the printers, directing them to print out a sheet on printer security. That’s nearly 28,000 compromised devices – all because businesses overlooked this “harmless” piece of office equipment.

Wait, WHY Target Printers?

Because printers are a goldmine of sensitive data. They process everything from payroll documents and contracts to confidential client information. And yet, most businesses leave them wide-open to attack.

Here’s what can happen when a hacker gains access to your printer:

● Printers store sensitive data – Every time you print, scan or copy a document, your printer keeps a digital copy. Many printers have built-in hard drives that store years’ worth of documents, including payroll files, contracts and employee records. If a hacker gains access, they can steal or even reprint those files without your knowledge.

● Default passwords are a hacker’s dream – Most printers come with default admin logins like “admin/admin” or “123456.” Many businesses never change them, making it ridiculously easy for cybercriminals to take control.

● They’re an open door to your network – Printers are connected to your WiFi and company network. If compromised, they can be used as an entry point to install malware or ransomware, or steal data from other devices.

● Print jobs can be intercepted – If your print jobs aren’t encrypted, hackers can intercept documents before they even reach the printer. That means confidential contracts, legal documents and even medical records could be exposed.

● They can spy on your business – Many modern printers have built-in storage and even scan-to-e-mail features. If a hacker compromises your device, they can remotely access scanned documents, e-mails and stored files.

● Outdated firmware leaves the door wide-open – Like any device, printers need security updates. But most businesses never update their printers’ firmware, leaving them vulnerable to known exploitations.

● Data mining from discarded printers – Printers that were improperly disposed of can be a goldmine for cybercriminals. Residual data stored on discarded printers can be mined for sensitive information! This can result in potential security breaches. Printers need to have their storage wiped clean to avoid being vulnerable to data breaches and legal liabilities.

How To Protect Your Printers From Hackers

Now that you know printers can be hacked, here’s what you need to do immediately:

1. Change The Default Password – If your printer still has the default login credentials, change them immediately. Use a strong, unique password like you would for your e-mail or bank account.

2. Update Your Printer’s Firmware – Manufacturers release security patches for a reason. Log into your printer settings and check for updates or have your IT team do this for you.

3. Encrypt Print Jobs – Enable Secure Print and end-to-end encryption to prevent hackers from intercepting print jobs.

4. Restrict Who Can Print – Use access controls so only authorized employees can send print jobs. If your printer supports PIN codes, require them for sensitive print jobs. You can also add a guest option.

5. Regularly Clear Stored Data – Some printers let you manually delete stored print jobs. If yours has a hard drive, make sure it’s encrypted, and if you replace a printer, wipe or destroy the hard drive before disposal.

6. Put Your Printer Behind A Firewall – Just like computers, printers should be protected by a firewall to prevent unauthorized access.

7. Monitor Printer Activity – If your IT team isn’t already tracking printer logs, now is the time to start. Unusual print activity, remote access attempts or unauthorized users printing sensitive documents should be red flags.

Printers Aren’t Just Office Equipment – They’re Security Risks

Most businesses don’t take printer security seriously because, well, it’s a printer. But cybercriminals know that businesses overlook these devices, making them an easy target.

If you’re protecting your computers but ignoring your printers, you’re leaving a huge hole in your cybersecurity defenses.

Want to know if your office printers are secure? Start with a FREE Network Security Assessment – we’ll check for vulnerabilities and make sure your printers (and your entire network) aren’t leaving your business exposed.

Click here to schedule your FREE Network Assessment today!

Planning a vacation this year? Make sure your confirmation e-mail is legit BEFORE you click anything!

That’s right, summer is right around the corner and cybercriminals are exploiting travel season by sending fake booking confirmations that look nearly identical to e-mails from airlines, hotels and travel agencies. These scams are designed to steal personal and financial information, hijack your online accounts and even infect your device with malware.

Even tech-savvy travelers are falling for it.

Here’s How The Scam Goes

A Fake Booking Confirmation Lands In Your Inbox

● The e-mail can appear to come from well-known travel companies like Expedia, Delta or Marriott.
● Hackers often use official logos, correct formatting and even “customer support” numbers.
● Subject lines create a sense of urgency:
○ “Your Trip To Miami Has Been Confirmed! Click Here For Details”
○ “Your Flight Itinerary Has Changed – Click Here For Updates”
○ “Action Required: Confirm Your Hotel Stay”
○ “Final Step: Complete Your Rental Car Reservation”

You Click The Link And Get Redirected To A Fake Website

● The e-mail urges you to “log in” to confirm details, update payment info or download your itinerary.
● Clicking the link takes you to a convincing but fake website that captures your credentials when you enter them.

Hackers Steal Your Information And/Or Money

● If you enter your login credentials on the website they are impersonating, hackers now have access to your airline, hotel or financial accounts.
● If you enter payment details, they steal your credit card information or process fraudulent transactions.
● If the link contains malware, your device (and everything on it) could be compromised.

Why This Scam Is So Effective

1. It Looks Legit: These phishing e-mails perfectly mimic real confirmation e-mails – logos, formatting and even links that look familiar.
2. It Plays On Urgency: Seeing a “reservation issue” or “flight change” triggers panic, making people act fast without thinking.
3. People Are Distracted: Whether they’re in the middle of work or excited about an upcoming trip, they’re less likely to double-check an e-mail’s authenticity.
4. It’s Not Just Personal – It’s a business risk too.

If you or your team travels for work, this scam becomes even more dangerous. Many businesses have one person handling all reservations – flights, hotels, rental cars, conference bookings.

Because they receive so many confirmation e-mails, it’s easy for a fraudulent one to slip through. A single click from your office manager, travel coordinator or executive assistant could:

● Expose your company credit card to fraud.
● Compromise login credentials for corporate travel accounts.
● Introduce malware into your company network if the scam contains malicious attachments.

How To Protect Yourself And Your Business

1. Verify Before You Click – Always go directly to the airline, hotel or booking website instead of clicking e-mail links.
2. Check The Sender’s E-mail Address – Scammers use addresses that are close but not exact (e.g., “@deltacom.com” instead of “@delta.com”).
3. Warn Your Team – Train employees to recognize phishing scams, especially those handling company travel bookings.
4. Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA) – Even if credentials are stolen, MFA adds an extra layer of security.
5. Lock Down Business E-mail Accounts – Ensure e-mail security measures are in place to block malicious links and attachments.

Don’t Let A Fake Travel E-mail Cost You Business

Cybercriminals know exactly when and how to strike – and travel season is prime time.
If you or anyone on your team books work-related travel, handles reservations or manages expense reports, you’re a target.

Let’s make sure your business is protected.

Start with a FREE Cybersecurity Assessment. We’ll check for vulnerabilities, strengthen your defenses and help safeguard your team against phishing scams like this.

Click here to schedule your FREE assessment today!

A client recently asked me, “What mistakes do you see business owners making the most when it comes to IT and cybersecurity?”

Oh, where to begin…

After years of working with businesses of all sizes, the biggest mistake I see time and again is treating IT and cybersecurity as an afterthought. It doesn’t matter how many data breaches are in the news; I see business owner after business owner either underestimating the real risks of cyberthreats or assuming that setting up some basic protections is enough. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but it’s not enough. A single breach, ransomware attack or IT failure can cripple your business overnight. And yet, too many companies take a reactive approach – prioritizing security only after something goes wrong – which, guess what, is more tiresome and more expensive.

Another common mistake? Thinking free software is “good enough.” Look, I get it. Free antivirus programs, consumer-grade routers and DIY security setups seem like an easy way to save money, especially when you’re a small business and inflation is everywhere. But those “savings” quickly evaporate when your business suffers a data breach, faces compliance fines or loses critical client trust. If you wouldn’t run your business on a free spreadsheet app, why would you trust your entire security infrastructure to bargain-bin software?

Then, there’s the issue of underestimating the cost of downtime. Many businesses assume they can afford to be offline for a few hours if something breaks. But when your network goes down, your team can’t work for hours or even days, your customers can’t access your services and you start hemorrhaging money. A solid IT strategy isn’t just about security – it’s about ensuring operational continuity so that when disaster strikes (and to some degree, it will), you don’t have to scramble to recover.

And finally, the most overlooked mistake is failing to plan for the long game. IT and cybersecurity aren’t set-it-and-forget-it investments. Threats evolve, technology changes and hackers get more sophisticated every day. If you’re not proactively assessing, updating and reinforcing your security posture, you’re already falling behind.

At the end of the day, you need to protect what you’ve built.

So, what’s the solution? I’ll give it to you straight.

1. Stop taking shortcuts. Invest in professional-grade IT and security solutions, not band-aid fixes.

2. Think long-term. A solid cybersecurity plan isn’t a onetime project – it’s an ongoing commitment.

3. Get expert guidance. You don’t have to (and shouldn’t) navigate the complexities of IT security alone. Surround yourself with people who know what they’re doing and can help you stay ahead of the curve.

If you’re ready to take IT and cybersecurity seriously, let’s talk. Click here to book a free 10-minute Security Assessment, and let’s make sure your business isn’t one click away from disaster.