How to Set Up an HP Wireless Printer and Print Securely Using the HP Smart App

In today’s connected world, wireless printers like HP’s have revolutionized how we print—whether at home, in small offices, or across large enterprises. With just a few taps on your smartphone or laptop, you can print from virtually anywhere. But this convenience comes with a catch: security.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up your HP wireless printer, print wirelessly using the HP Smart App, and more importantly, secure your printer from WiFi-based threats.

Introduction

Wireless printing has made our lives easier, but like any device connected to the internet, printers can be vulnerable to cyber threats. Whether you’re using your HP printer at home or in an enterprise setup, it’s essential to understand how to set up your device correctly and how to secure it from unauthorized access.

Why Printer Security Matters

While most people focus on securing laptops and phones, printers are often overlooked, making them an easy target for hackers. A compromised printer can allow access to sensitive documents, credentials, and even the broader network. For homes, it may be personal documents at risk; for businesses, it can be confidential contracts, employee information, and financial data.

Common WiFi Security Threats for HP Printers

Here are some common threats that can affect HP printers connected to WiFi:

• Unauthorized Access: If your network or printer is unsecured, hackers can hijack print jobs or access stored documents.
• Firmware Exploits: Outdated printer firmware may have vulnerabilities.
• Eavesdropping: Hackers can intercept print jobs over unsecured networks.
• Botnet Inclusion: Infected printers can be used as part of a botnet for broader cyberattacks.

Built-in HP Printer Security Features

HP has developed several built-in security features to mitigate these threats:

• HP Sure Start: Validates the printer’s BIOS at every startup to detect tampering.
• Run-Time Intrusion Detection: Monitors memory activity to identify and stop suspicious behavior.
• Whitelisting: Ensures only authentic firmware is loaded onto the printer.
• Secure Boot and Firmware Updates: Prevents unauthorized code execution.

How to Secure Your HP Printer on WiFi

Securing your HP wireless printer starts during the initial setup. Here are general practices:

1. Change Default Passwords
   Access the printer’s Embedded Web Server (EWS) and set a strong admin password.
2. Enable Encryption
   Use WPA3 or WPA2 encryption for your home or office WiFi network.
3. Update Firmware Regularly
   Ensure your printer’s firmware is updated via the HP Smart App or EWS.
4. Disable Unused Protocols
   Turn off printing protocols (e.g., FTP, Telnet) that you don’t use.
5. Limit Access via IP Filtering
   For advanced users, restrict printer access to specific IP addresses.

Step-by-Step: How to Secure Your HP Printer on WiFi

Here’s how to secure your HP printer in just a few steps:

Step 1: Connect Your Printer to WiFi

• Turn on your printer and go to the wireless or network settings menu.
• Select your WiFi network and enter the password.

Step 2: Access Printer’s Embedded Web Server (EWS)

• Find your printer’s IP address from the control panel or HP Smart App.
• Enter the IP address in a browser to access the EWS.

Step 3: Change Default Login Credentials

• In EWS, navigate to Settings > Security.
• Change the admin password to something strong and unique.

Step 4: Enable HTTPS

• Under Network Settings, enable HTTPS for secure communication.

Step 5: Check for Firmware Updates

• Go to Settings > Printer Updates and check for the latest version.

Step 6: Disable Unnecessary Services

• Turn off unused ports and protocols (e.g., SNMP, Telnet, FTP) under Advanced Settings.

Setting Up a Guest Network for Printer Access

If you often have visitors who need to use your printer, it’s safer to set up a guest WiFi network:

• Enable Guest Network on your router and assign limited bandwidth and access.
• Connect your printer to the main network, not the guest network.
• Use the HP Smart App’s Private Print or Email-to-Print for guests.

This setup ensures that guests can print without accessing your entire network.

Using HP Smart App and Secure Mobile Printing

The HP Smart App is your one-stop solution to control printing from anywhere:

How to Set Up Wireless Printing:

1. Download HP Smart App (available on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS).
2. Add your printer by tapping the ‘+’ sign.
3. Follow on-screen instructions to connect your printer to WiFi.
4. Once connected, you can print, scan, fax, and check ink levels remotely.

Security Tips for Mobile Printing:

• Use a secure WiFi network—not public WiFi—for mobile printing.
• Enable Private Pickup/Print options in enterprise environments.
• Always log out after using shared devices with HP Smart App.

Tips for Office and Enterprise Printer Security

For office or enterprise users, printer security must scale:

• Deploy Secure Print Solutions: Users must authenticate before print jobs are released.
• Use Centralized Management: HP JetAdvantage Security Manager helps manage printer security policies.
• Audit Logs: Enable tracking to monitor print jobs and usage.
• Segment Network: Place printers on a separate VLAN to isolate them from sensitive systems.
• Educate Employees: Encourage best practices like not leaving confidential documents in output trays.

Conclusion

HP wireless printers and the HP Smart App have made printing faster and more flexible than ever. However, convenience must be balanced with caution. A secure setup not only protects your documents but also ensures that your network remains safe from intrusion.

Whether you’re printing your child’s school project or confidential office documents, taking a few extra steps to secure your printer can go a long way in keeping your data safe.

FAQ

Can HP printers be hacked through WiFi?

Yes, if not secured properly, HP printers connected to WiFi can be vulnerable to hacking. Common risks include unauthorized access, intercepted print jobs, or being used as a backdoor into the network. Regular updates, strong passwords, and encryption can help prevent this.

How do I secure my HP printer on a wireless network?

You can secure your printer by:

• Changing the default password via the Embedded Web Server
• Enabling WPA2/WPA3 on your WiFi
• Updating firmware regularly
• Disabling unused network protocols
• Using the HP Smart App’s secure print features

How often should I update my HP printer’s firmware?

It’s recommended to check for firmware updates every 1-2 months, or enable automatic updates in the printer settings to stay protected against newly discovered vulnerabilities.