Think about the last time you worried about your home printer. Maybe it was when the paper jammed or when it ran out of ink just as you were printing boarding passes. But did you ever stop to wonder if your printer could be the weakest link in your home’s digital security? For most people, printers are background appliances—quietly churning out recipes, tax forms, and school projects. Yet, in 2025, printers have become one of the most overlooked and vulnerable devices on home networks. Recent attacks and research show just how easily hackers can slip in through these forgotten machines, sometimes gaining access to far more than just your print queue. If you’re like most people, you probably haven’t checked your printer’s settings since you first set it up. Let’s fix that—and make sure your printer isn’t the open door into your private world.
Why Home Printers Are a Prime Target for Hackers
Many people assume their printer is too boring or insignificant to attract the attention of hackers. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Printers are computers in their own right, complete with memory, processing power, and, crucially, a connection to your home network. They often store copies of printed documents and, if compromised, can offer attackers a convenient foothold to explore your digital life.
In June 2025, security researchers at Rapid7 uncovered eight vulnerabilities in 689 Brother printer models. One of these flaws (CVE-2024-51978) lets attackers generate default administrator passwords using the printer’s serial number—a detail often printed right on the device. That’s not just a minor oversight; it’s a design flaw that makes it child’s play for someone to take over your printer if they know what to look for.
Canon users aren’t immune, either. In early 2024, Canon had to rush out patches for seven critical vulnerabilities in their i-Sensys MF750 and LBP670 Color Laser Series printers. These flaws could have allowed hackers to run their own code on your printer or even disable it entirely from afar. And if you’re using a Linux-based system at home, the Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) also had multiple remote code execution vulnerabilities discovered in September 2024.
All these examples have one thing in common: attackers don’t care if you’re a business or a home user. If your printer is vulnerable and connected, it’s fair game.
Why Millions of Users Never Realize Their Data Was Exposed
It’s easy to dismiss printer security as a problem for big offices, not home users. But when a hacker targets your printer, the signs are rarely obvious. You might never know someone has accessed your printer’s stored documents, peeked at your print history, or used your device to jump into your home Wi-Fi network.
In July 2025, hackers actively exploited the Brother printer vulnerabilities to breach home networks. Victims didn’t notice odd noises or flashing lights; the attacks happened quietly in the background. In some cases, attackers used the printer as a stepping stone, moving on to snoop on other devices on the same network—laptops, phones, even smart TVs.
For everyday users, the lack of warning makes these attacks especially dangerous. There’s no pop-up alert, no error message—just a silent compromise that could put your personal files, emails, and even banking details at risk.
Common Myths That Put Your Home at Risk
- “My printer isn’t connected to the internet, so it’s safe.” Many modern printers connect to your Wi-Fi network to enable mobile printing, cloud features, or firmware updates. Even if you never print from your phone, your printer might still be talking to the outside world.
- “Hackers only go after big companies, not home users.” In reality, automated attacks scan the internet for any vulnerable device. Home printers are often easier targets than business ones because they’re less likely to be patched or monitored.
- “Firmware updates aren’t important for printers.” This is a common and risky misconception. Printer manufacturers regularly release updates to fix security flaws. Ignoring these updates leaves you open to known attacks.
What Makes Printers So Vulnerable?
Printers are a classic example of “set it and forget it” technology. Most people never revisit their printer settings after the initial setup. Manufacturers don’t always make it easy to check for updates or change security options, and some even ship devices with default passwords or insecure features enabled.
Here are the main reasons printers are such juicy targets:
- Default passwords: Many printers come with a default administrator password. In the case of Brother printers, this password can be generated from the serial number, which is often visible on the printer itself. Attackers can easily guess or look up these passwords online.
- Outdated firmware: Firmware is the software that runs your printer. If it’s not updated, known vulnerabilities remain open for attack. Canon and Brother both had to issue emergency patches in 2024 and 2025, but many users never install them.
- Exposed network services: Printers often have features like remote administration, web interfaces, or open ports that can be accessed from anywhere on your network—or even from the internet, if your router isn’t properly secured.
- Stored documents: Some printers keep copies of scanned or printed documents in their memory, which can be retrieved by anyone who gains access.
Real-World Consequences: What Happens If Your Printer Gets Hacked?
Let’s bring this home with a scenario. Imagine you’re working from your kitchen table, printing out a confidential work document. Unbeknownst to you, your Brother printer is running outdated firmware and still uses the default password. A hacker, using an automated tool, finds your printer on the network. They use the serial number to generate the admin password, log in, and quietly download every document stored in the printer’s memory—including your work file.
From there, the attacker could use your printer as a bridge to access your laptop or other devices, looking for passwords, financial information, or private emails. Or, they might simply use your printer to send spam or launch attacks on others, making you the unwitting accomplice.
The human impact isn’t just about stolen data. Victims often report feeling violated, anxious, and unsure of what else might be compromised. There’s the stress of resetting passwords, checking bank accounts, and wondering if you missed something important. And because the attack was invisible, it’s easy to second-guess yourself—did you do something wrong, or was it just bad luck?
How to Check If Your Printer Is at Risk
Before you panic, take a breath. Most printer vulnerabilities can be addressed with a few practical steps. Here’s how to figure out if your printer is one of the affected models—and what to do next:
- Identify your printer model. This is usually printed on the front or back of the device. For Brother printers, check if your model is among the 689 affected by the 2025 vulnerability (refer to Brother’s official website for the full list).
- Check for firmware updates. Go to the manufacturer’s website and search for your model. Look for any available firmware updates, especially those released in 2024 or 2025.
- Log into your printer’s admin interface. This is often done by typing the printer’s IP address into your web browser. If you’ve never changed the default password, do so immediately. Avoid using anything that can be guessed from the serial number or model name.
- Review enabled features. Disable any services you don’t use, such as remote administration, cloud printing, or open ports. The fewer features enabled, the smaller your attack surface.
Five Steps That Actually Reduce Your Risk
Securing your printer doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are five steps you can take today to close the most common vulnerabilities:
- Change the default admin password. Make it strong and unique. Avoid anything related to your printer’s serial number or model.
- Update your printer’s firmware. Check for updates at least twice a year, or set a reminder to do so after major security news.
- Disable unused features and ports. If you don’t use remote printing, cloud services, or web administration, turn them off. This limits what attackers can exploit.
- Isolate your printer on your network. If possible, set up a “guest” network for your printer and other smart devices. This prevents attackers from using your printer as a bridge to your more sensitive devices.
- Regularly clear stored documents. Some printers allow you to delete stored print and scan jobs. Make this a habit, especially after printing sensitive documents.
What to Do If You Suspect Your Printer Has Been Compromised
If you notice anything odd—such as unexpected print jobs, settings you didn’t change, or your printer behaving strangely—take action:
- Disconnect the printer from your network immediately.
- Update the firmware and change all passwords.
- Clear stored documents and reset the device to factory settings if needed.
- Review your network for other suspicious activity. Run antivirus scans on your main devices.
- Contact your printer manufacturer’s support if you need guidance.
Manufacturers: It’s Time to Take Responsibility
Let’s be clear: much of this mess could have been avoided if printer manufacturers had prioritized security from the start. Shipping devices with default passwords—especially ones that can be generated from a serial number visible on the device—is negligent. Canon and Brother both deserve criticism for leaving users exposed until public pressure forced them to act.
While it’s good that patches have now been released, it shouldn’t be up to ordinary people to hunt down firmware updates or decipher confusing admin settings. If you feel frustrated by this, you’re not alone. Hopefully, ongoing attention to these issues will push manufacturers to do better—until then, it’s up to us to protect ourselves.
Looking Ahead: Printers Are Just the Beginning
As more devices in our homes become “smart,” the risks will only grow. Printers are just one example of how everyday gadgets can become entry points for attackers. The good news? By learning to spot and fix these vulnerabilities, you’re building habits that will protect you across all your devices.
Remember, you don’t need to be a tech expert to take control of your home’s security. Start with your printer, and you’ll be surprised how much safer your digital life can feel. If you help a friend or family member secure their printer too, you’re making your whole community a little bit safer.
Final Thoughts: Confidence, Not Fear
Printer security isn’t about paranoia or panic—it’s about being practical. Most attacks can be stopped with a few simple changes. Don’t let manufacturers’ mistakes or hackers’ tricks make you feel powerless. Take a few minutes to check your settings, update your firmware, and change that password. You’ll sleep better knowing your printer isn’t the weak link in your home’s digital defenses.
