New Method of Protecting Print Devices from Malware

Xerox and McAfee have revealed a new protection against malware and viruses with the first networked multifunction printer to use McAfee Embedded Control software. 

 

“When a multifunction device receives data and processes it for printing, copying, scanning or faxing, it becomes susceptible to malware attacks – a risk that often is overlooked,” said Tom Moore, Vice President of Embedded Security at McAfee. 

 

The Xerox and McAfee security solution simplifies processes for IT administrators with software embedded into a multifunction device’s controller to provide an immediate alert and audit trail to track and investigate the time and origin of security threats and take appropriate action. This eliminates the need for IT administrators to constantly stay on top of malware threats and proactively block them.

 

In a poll of office workers taken earlier this year, more than half (54 percent) say they either don’t always follow their company’s IT security policies (33 percent) or aren’t even aware of the policies (21 percent) – leaving the security of customer credit card numbers, financial reports, and human resource and tax documents at risk.

 

“IT administrators don’t always consider printers as a threat – and with the Embedded Control software from McAfee, Xerox has put defenses in its products so they don’t have to,” said Rick Dastin, President, Xerox Office and Solutions Business Group.

 

McAfee Embedded Control and McAfee Embedded Management software will become available beginning in 2013.