Hands-On Apple (Audio)

HOA 189: macOS Printers & Scanners


Listen Later

Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a serious flaw affecting nearly 700 Brother printer models that allows attackers to extract serial numbers and generate admin passwords without any authentication. Host Mikah Sargent walks through the step-by-step process of securing your Mac-connected printer using built-in macOS tools to access your printer's web interface and change those dangerous default passwords.

  • Major Printer Security Vulnerability Discovered - Rapid7 cybersecurity company found flaws affecting Brother, Toshiba, and Fujifilm printers, with 689 Brother models impacted by the most serious vulnerability
  • How the Attack Works - Bad actors can access printers without authentication, extract serial numbers, and use them to generate default admin passwords since manufacturers use predictable password generation methods
  • Viewing Printer Details and Options - How to check printer queue, sharing settings, driver information, and supply levels through the macOS interface for connected Brother printers
  • Opening Your Printer's Web Interface - Step-by-step guide to accessing the "Show Printer Web Page" option to reach your printer's built-in web server for advanced configuration
  • Checking and Updating Firmware - Importance of keeping printer firmware current, though updates don't completely solve the manufacturing-level vulnerability that requires Brother to address
  • Changing Default Admin Passwords - Critical security step of accessing the administrator login settings through the printer's web interface to replace factory default credentials
  • Host: Mikah Sargent

    Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

    Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

    Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Hands-On Apple (Audio)By TWiT

    • 4.2
    • 4.2
    • 4.2
    • 4.2
    • 4.2

    4.2

    17 ratings


    More shows like Hands-On Apple (Audio)

    View all
    This Week in Tech (Audio) by TWiT

    This Week in Tech (Audio)

    3,010 Listeners

    Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting by Dave Hamilton, Pilot Pete & Adam Christianson

    Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

    827 Listeners

    Hands-On Tech (Audio) by TWiT

    Hands-On Tech (Audio)

    1,965 Listeners

    Security Now (Audio) by TWiT

    Security Now (Audio)

    1,982 Listeners

    Mac OS Ken by Ken Ray

    Mac OS Ken

    894 Listeners

    MacBreak Weekly (Audio) by TWiT

    MacBreak Weekly (Audio)

    2,012 Listeners

    Windows Weekly (Audio) by TWiT

    Windows Weekly (Audio)

    868 Listeners

    Intelligent Machines (Audio) by TWiT

    Intelligent Machines (Audio)

    733 Listeners

    Tech News Weekly (Audio) by TWiT

    Tech News Weekly (Audio)

    1,073 Listeners

    iOS Today (Audio) by TWiT

    iOS Today (Audio)

    545 Listeners

    Mac Power Users by Relay

    Mac Power Users

    1,286 Listeners

    This Week in Tech (Video) by TWiT

    This Week in Tech (Video)

    255 Listeners

    MacBreak Weekly (Video) by TWiT

    MacBreak Weekly (Video)

    331 Listeners

    Macworld Podcast by Foundry

    Macworld Podcast

    304 Listeners

    This Week in Space (Audio) by TWiT

    This Week in Space (Audio)

    137 Listeners