Printers Vulnerable To Security Threats

jcatcw writes "Networked printers are more vulnerable to attack than many organizations realize. Symantec has logged vulnerabilities in five brands of network printers. Printers outside firewalls, for ease of remote printing, may also be open to easy remote code execution. They can be possible launching pads for attacks on the rest of the network. Disabling services that aren't needed and keeping up with patches are first steps to securing them." From the article: "Security experts say that printers are loaded with more complex applications than ever, running every vulnerable service imaginable, with little or no risk management or oversight.... [N]etworked printers need to be treated like servers or workstations for security purposes — not like dumb peripherals."

Comments

Oh really?

[Anonymous Coward]

Oh really? Why this is news only NOW beats me. There's many more issues which are not talked about.

And what about some Xerox document center with a big-ass hard disk and tendency to break down...? Who will copy your documents while the machine is being serviced?

And what about some new computers where the hard disk breaks down after some months and you need to send the whole unit to be serviced by whoever you have the contract with? Who will own your data then?

And what about the company to whom you have outsourced your IT support?

And what about those outsourced subcontractor workers in India/East Europe/USA/Europe who are paid peanuts and want to make some more money or land a better job?

And what about the office on the other building, adjacent to your meeting room windows?

Think about them...

Thank god we don't

[Anonymous Coward]

use computers for voting. Now that would really be a mess.