There is No Such Thing as Printer Security and Privacy

There is No Such Thing as Printer Security and Privacy

When you print, scan, or copy anything at home or in the office, the data on the printed page makes it possible to track both you and your documents.

When you print, scan, or copy anything at home or in the office, the data on the printed page makes it possible to track both you and your documents.

In attempts to make their products easy to use, and with government backdoor demands to adhere, printer manufacturers have compromised on security and privacy. And it's not just what you print that can be used against you—the printer itself maintains hidden logs that anyone with a Wi-Fi connection could access!

Wireless printer networks are a security nightmare

Many printers broadcast an unsecure Wi-Fi network so that you don’t have to worry about cables, and can even print from your mobile devices.

If an attacker or interested third-party wanted, they could configure your printer to forward data to themselves, including everything you scan or print.

Printer logs reveal who printed what, and when they did it

All printers keep internal records of all the data that is printed or scanned on it, and at what time. This will most likely include the file name, a timestamp, and the IP address from where the request came. In some cases, however, it will also include a full copy of the printed and/or scanned documents.

This data is stored on a dedicated hard disk within the printer, and the larger your printer, the more likely it has a large storage space. Office printers almost certainly make copies of all the documents they print and scan.

If you decide to sell your printer (or if the office you work in sells theirs), stored data becomes a serious privacy concern. It's extremely important to know how to wipe a printer's hard disk before you sell it. If the data on the printer is sensitive, it could become a problem for you if it falls into the hands of criminals or the state.

Printer hard disks and logs should regularly be wiped, but, depending on the model, this might be difficult.  If in doubt, do not use a printer to record private information, such as Bitcoin private keys, company secrets, or secret data.

If you have no access to a printer’s hard drive, you should never use it to print anything even slightly risque or private.

Your printer secretly marks every document

Every modern printer will leave tiny dots on all paper that goes through it. The dots are barely visible but perfectly identify the printer by its serial number.

The dots were implemented at the insistence of governments, to combat fears of counterfeit money. Usually, these identifiers take the form of tiny dots which are littered around the page and will allow authorities to see which printer created a document and where the printer was bought. In theory, they could then trace it back to you via CCTV footage or payment records.

Even without CCTV footage or payment records though, it might still be possible to link a printed or photocopied document to a printer or a person from the stored printer logs on the hard disk.

It’s quite difficult to protect against printer identifiers, as reprogramming the device might be impossible or extremely difficult. But purchasing a used printer from a used good store might hinder any search enough to stop them physically locating you.

If you have Bitcoin, throw away your printer

If you keep Bitcoin, you should never print any of your wallet information. Ever.

Printers could theoretically contain malware that will scan documents for information such as Bitcoin private keys or recovery codes.

Though there have been no reported cases yet, as Bitcoin becomes more prominent the production printer malware is undoubtedly only a matter of time away. Modern printers can connect to the internet and do not get the same security attention as computers do (especially in regards to updates) and thus represent an easy target to anyone so inclined.

If you want to backup a Bitcoin wallet, it’s much better to write the backup phrases by hand and keep them in a secure place.

When in doubt, pen and paper is best

Printers are a terrible choice if you wish to maintain your privacy. If you want to remain anonymous, the only sensible recommendation is to avoid printers altogether.

They might be archaic, but for the best security, a pen and paper might still be the best option (or a typewriter if you’re feeling fancy). Just make sure you don't write anything down near a CCTV camera or drone.

Featured

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.