Researchers forced 28,000 printers worldwide to print out guidelines on printer security.
A majority of users are concerned about the security of their laptops, desktops, and mobile phones. They use the most reliable antivirus tools and VPN software to ensure optimum privacy while surfing the net.
However, when it comes to securing our printers, we tend to turn a blind eye. This ignorance may have detrimental repercussions. To highlight this crucial aspect, CyberNews’ researchers decided to warn printer owners worldwide about the need to strengthen printer security.
The attack started with researchers scanning the IoT search engine Shodan to locate unprotected printers and discovered over 800,000 printers connected to the internet. Shodan is used to identify exposed or at-risk surveillance devices, databases, solar devices, wind turbines, unprotected networked printers, etc.
The researchers decided to target 50,000 of those printers and sent printing requests using a customer printing script. Around 27,944 devices accepted this command and printed out a message the researchers instructed the devices to print. The message read:
“This printer has been hacked.” It was followed by a comprehensive set of instructions on how to protect internet-connected printers.
A full preview of the printout can be seen below:
Image: CyberNews
The researchers noted that contrary to public perception, the threat is real and unprotected printers can lead to exploitative scenarios. An exposed printers hacked highlight printer security
