If you’ve ever browsed computer security news, you know that hackers (and, frankly, the good guys who fight them) have what you might call a flair for the dramatic. Scary-sounding names like PrintNightmare, PrintDemon, Faxploit, and Stuxnet are all terms you might come across that refer to a variety of different attacks that have been documented over the years.
In this case, all of those particular attacks share something in common: the attack vector—or, in other words, the way the hackers broke in—all had to do with bugs in Windows printer security measures. Determined hackers have used these bugs as a means to accessing remote networks and doing all kinds of things, including distributing malware or gaining total control over their victim’s computers and devices.
Naturally, Microsoft wants to fight back—especially since print-related security issues account for a substantial amount of the vulnerabilities present in Windows. That’s why they’ve released Windows Protected Print, a much more secure way to allow Windows users to interact with their printers. However, as a Xerox user, there’s a few important things you need to know about these upcoming changes. Let’s discuss them now:
Windows Protected Print – A Much-Needed Windows Security Feature
Windows Protected Print is a new feature for the Windows operating system designed to improve the security of printing. It uses a universal print driver powered by the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), which greatly standardizes the way Windows computers and printers of all brands communicate. This is a fairly significant departure from the traditional way of doing things, with third-party drivers provided by vendors—and with it, there are big security benefits, as well as a few drawbacks.
The biggest drawback is that the Windows Protected Print feature will, for some devices, not allow the full range of features to be used out of the box. For example, double-sided printing, hole punching, or other advanced features of your printer may not work without the addition of a Print Support App (don’t worry, Xerox has one—more on that in a moment).
Of course, the biggest positive of this change is a huge boost in security. Needless to say, that makes it all worth it.
Important Information About How Windows Protected Print May Impact Xerox Users – and What to Do Now
As mentioned, it’s possible that after turning on Windows Protected Print—which, remember, will soon be enabled by default in Windows—some of your printer’s features won’t work properly. The solution is to use a Print Support App. For your Xerox device, you should get the completely free Xerox Print and Scan Experience app, which should restore functionality of your device’s features.
Another minor drawback of Windows Protected Print is that the feature (and thus your printer) won’t work unless your printer is Mopria-certified. Mopria is a universal printing standard that has been used for over a decade, so unless your printer is quite old, you likely don’t have to worry about this. Nevertheless, you can confirm if your device is Mopria-certified here. All modern Xerox printers and MFPs are Mopria-certified.
No Matter What Microsoft Does, Xerox and Smart Document Solutions Has You Covered
Make no mistake about it—the move to a more secure print environment with Windows Protected Print is a good thing. That being said, it’s understandable to be nervous about Microsoft updates, as they do have a history of making things harder for the consumer. In this case, Xerox has you covered with the Xerox Print and Scan Experience Print Support App—everything will be just fine! And, of course, if you need anything else, we’re here to help. Feel free to contact us today or, if it’s time for an office upgrade, request a free online quote.
