Skip to main content

Microsoft unveils a new and safer way for your business to print

Microsoft is changing the way Windows handles printers, which should make for a much safer experience overall - but could also mean that some older devices may no longer be supported.

In a blog post published by Johnathan Norman of the Microsoft Offensive Research & Security Engineering (MORSE), it was explained that the printing experience hasn’t changed much over the past 20 years. 

Until now, Windows relied on third-party drivers to make printers work, and some of those drivers were decades old and, as such, a major security liability. Print Nightmare, for example, was an attack that recently abused vulnerable printer drivers to cause chaos.

Mopria printers

Now, Microsoft is introducing a new printing mode dubbed "Windows Protected Print Mode (WPP)" which it says will let users access Windows’ modern print stack by simply plugging in their printers. 

"We believe users should be Secure-by-Default which is why WPP will eventually be on by default in Windows," Norman explained.

This suggests that third-party drivers will no longer be necessary, as most printers will work on a single stack updated and maintained by Microsoft. 

The keyword here is "most" printers - which means that some probably won’t work. The new stack only works with Mopria-certified printers which, according to multiple media sources, there are plenty. HP, Samsung, Canon, Xerox, and others, all have Mopria-certified printers, and if your endpoint is of a newer date, chances are it’s certified. Older models, however, will probably not be supported and if you’re using Windows 11, you’ll likely have to get them replaced. 

It could be worth the trouble, Norman hints, stating that the Windows print system has been "a key target" for attackers. "The Spooler runs with high privileges and must load code from the network which is difficult to accomplish with low friction and high security," he explains. "Print bugs played a role in Stuxnet and Print Nightmare, and account for 9% of all Windows cases reported to MSRC."

MORSE analyzed past MSRC cases for Windows Print and found that the protected mode mitigated over half of those vulnerabilities.

The new feature is currently being rolled out to Insiders.

More from TechRadar Pro



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Garmin's new radar-equipped tail light will keep you safe on your e-bike

Garmin's Varia bike radars are some of the most popular pieces of cycling tech around – and now the company has delivered its first rearview radar to have been specially designed for some of the best e-Bikes .   Garmin's Varia range mounts to the back of your bike and broadcasts a radar signal behind you, so you can get visual and audible alerts when something's overtaking you. Even better, the new Varia eRTL615 plugs directly into most e-bikes, with no battery required. Because the catchily-named Varia eRTL615 is also a tail light, it'll also make sure you're visible to other vehicles too, promising to emit a flashing or solid light that's visible from up to a mile away in daylight. To connect Garmin's new radar tail light to your e-bike, you'll need to pick the right Garmin adapter cable (which isn't included). You can buy power cables compatible with Bosch, Shimano, or USB-A terminals or connections, with more info on those available on Garmin...
Post a Comment
Read more

Revolution Software is using their own AI technology to remake Broken Sword

TechRadar Gaming is reporting live from Gamescom 2023 on the latest and greatest developments in gaming and hardware. Revolution Software announced at Gamescom 2023 that Broken Sword would be coming back, with Broken Sword - The Shadow of the Templars getting a full remake while a sixth title in the series is coming in the future too, under the title Broken Sword - Parzival’s Stone .  Speaking to TRG ahead of the announcement, Cecil talked about the studio’s plans for a Broken Sword remake and the sixth title in the series. Cecil is a larger-than-life character, who is able to talk about the studio’s plans with enthusiasm. It even carries a pocketful of stones to illustrate the plans for Parzival’s Stone , but he also talks about how Broken Sword - The Shadow of the Templars would be using AI to upscale.  Cecil wasn’t shy about the studio’s use of AI technology, but he gave a fairly robust explanation of why the game was using it. The AI technology will be used to upda...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hackers steal passwords, emails from hookup websites

Two gay hookup websites have been breached with sensitive and personal user data stolen and sold online, new reports have claimed. The databases, which are now being sold on dark web forums, were taken from platforms called TruckerSucker, and CityJerks. They contain enough personally identifiable information to engage in identity theft , such as usernames and passwords, email addresses, profile pictures, sexual preferences, birth dates, postal addresses, IP addresses, and bios. The passwords are encrypted, but according to TechCrunch, the algorithm is “weak” and could be broken by a more persistent hacker. The silent treatment HaveIBeenPwned founder Troy Hunt, who was tipped off on the leak, described the incident as a “typical forum breach, albeit with super sensitive content.”  However the content includes more than just identity data, as there are also messages users exchanged, including arranging meetings and describing their sexual preferences.  In total, more than...
Post a Comment
Read more