Copier and Printer Identity Theft – Source:davinciforensics.co.za

A Hidden Goldmine for Identity ThievesCopier and Printer Identity Theft

Printers, fax machines, and copiers—once considered harmless office staples—have become unexpected goldmines for identity thieves. These devices often contain hard drives that store sensitive and personal information, creating significant vulnerabilities for individuals and businesses alike.

The Hidden Threat in Office Equipment

Since 2002, nearly all copiers manufactured for business use, and even some designed for home use, include hard drives that record and store every document copied, printed, or scanned. While this information is often encrypted, it has been shown to be susceptible to hacking, making these devices attractive targets for cybercriminals. Sensitive data such as proprietary business information, client records, bank account details, and credit card numbers stored on these devices escalate the potential for identity theft to alarming levels.

The Lifecycle Risk: End-of-Life Vulnerabilities

When printers, fax machines, and copiers are retired, they often find new homes through donations to schools or charities or are sold to clearinghouses for resale. Unfortunately, most of these devices retain sensitive data on their hard drives, which can be exploited to create fraudulent credit cards, unauthorised charges, or even gain access to confidential business strategies. This oversight turns end-of-life devices into ticking time bombs for identity theft.

The Growing Identity Theft Crisis in South Africa

In South Africa, identity theft costs businesses over R1 billion annually. According to the South African Fraud Prevention Association (SAFPS), this issue has grown significantly as more transactions move online. SAFPS representative Carol McLoughlin highlights the scale of the crisis, stating: “The crime has increased by more than 200% in six years. Perpetrators are incredibly difficult to trace, as they appear to be legitimate consumers. Last year alone, we recorded 3,600 cases of identity fraud, and this year we may exceed 4,000.”

Public Use Machines: An Overlooked Danger

The risks associated with these devices are not confined to private homes or business environments. Publicly available equipment, such as those found in conference centers, office supply stores, and libraries, also poses significant threats. Unsuspecting users often print, copy, or scan sensitive documents without realising that these details may be stored on the machine’s hard drive.

Mitigation Measures: Cleaning Hard Drives

Some clearinghouses have taken steps to address this risk by implementing guidelines to wipe device hard drives clean before resale. However, these practices are not universally mandated and often depend on the individual organisation. While some U.S. states have passed laws requiring the sanitisation of these hard drives, such legislation is not universal, leaving gaps in protection.

Expert Insight: Preventative Strategies

Sharon Knowles, CEO of Da Vinci Cybersecurity, emphasises the critical nature of addressing this overlooked threat:

“Today’s printers, copiers, and fax machines come equipped with high-capacity hard drives that are easy to remove and exploit. In the business world, the unauthorised access of this data can be a game changer, impacting everything from security procedures to financial plans. Cybercriminals now recognise these devices as lucrative targets. At Da Vinci Forensics, we work with organisations to implement robust security measures, ensuring that their technologies are protected from such crimes.”

Actionable Steps to Protect Your Business

1. Audit Your Devices: Identify all printers, copiers, and fax machines in use and verify whether they have hard drives that store data.
2. Secure Data at End-of-Life: Establish clear policies for wiping or destroying hard drives when retiring or disposing of devices.
3. Partner with Trusted Vendors: Work with clearinghouses and resellers that follow strict data sanitisation protocols.
4. Educate Employees: Train staff to recognise the risks associated with printing, copying, and scanning sensitive information.
5. Implement Device Security Features: Use password protection, encryption, and regular firmware updates to secure devices from unauthorised access.
6. Regularly Monitor and Assess Risks: Include printers, copiers, and fax machines in routine cybersecurity audits.

By acknowledging the hidden risks in printers and copiers and adopting proactive security measures, businesses and individuals can mitigate the growing threat of identity theft. In today’s digital landscape, every device counts in the fight to safeguard sensitive information.