What you need: Web-connected printer Time required: 30 minutes
Any device that can connect to the internet needs to be kept secure. This is as true for printers as it is for laptops, phones and tablets. Printers are increasingly becoming fully featured online devices that download their own updates automatically, report how much ink you’re using and, if you’re signed up to a subscription or membership, order new cartridges just before your current ones run dry.
All of this makes life easier for you, but it also means you must add your printer to the list of devices you need to consider when assessing the security of your network. Fortunately, big-name printer manufacturers have a vested interest in keeping them safe. For one thing, they wouldn’t want to risk the reputational damage of being associated with a widespread security breach. And, for another, they’d not want to risk losing customers and the ink sales that go with them.
For the most part, then, as long as your printer is properly set up, it’s probably safe. But
