When Expensive Printers Hide Dangerous Malware: The Procolored Printer Security Scare

In today’s tech-driven world, investing thousands of dollars in high-end equipment is expected to guarantee not only superior performance but also robust security. Unfortunately, the story of Procolored printers—a Shenzhen-based company specializing in UV printers capable of printing on diverse materials like wood, acrylic, tile, and plastic—paints a cautionary tale that challenges this assumption. Despite their impressive capabilities, these printers were discovered to come bundled with dangerous malware, putting users’ computers and data at serious risk.

Inside the Procolored Printer Malware Incident

Cameron Coward, a reviewer who tested the Procolored V11 Pro DTO UC printer, stumbled upon a disturbing revelation. Alongside the printer, the company provided software on a USB thumb drive. One of the software packages included Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable files compressed in a zip folder. However, as soon as Coward unzipped the files, Windows Defender flagged and quarantined them due to a detected Floxif virus.

Floxif is a malicious family of malware designed to install backdoors on infected machines, giving attackers remote control and the ability to install additional malware. Further attempts to download the printer’s control software from Procolored’s official website were blocked by Google Chrome, which detected a virus linked to files hosted on the file-sharing site mega.nz.

Despite these warnings, Procolored initially denied the existence of malware, claiming the virus detections were false positives. To uncover the truth, Coward turned to the cybersecurity community on Reddit, where Karsten Hahn, a malware researcher at G Data CyberDefense, analyzed the files. His investigation found no trace of the Floxif virus but uncovered two other serious malware threats: Win32.Backdoor.XRedRAT.A, a backdoor granting attackers full control over infected computers, and MSIL.Trojan-Stealer.CoinStealer.H, a cryptocurrency stealer that replaces wallet addresses in the clipboard with the attacker’s own—evidence of which revealed an estimated \$100,000 in stolen funds.

After confronting Procolored, the company admitted the USB drives might have been contaminated during the software transfer process and took steps to remove the infected files from their site. They pledged to only re-upload software after stringent virus checks. Yet, many users reported the malware issue had persisted for months, highlighting a troubling negligence.

This is not an isolated case. Other major companies have also unintentionally shipped malware-infected devices or software in recent years—from IBM to Schneider Electric and even government programs—demonstrating that trusted brands are not immune to security lapses.

The key lesson? Always exercise caution and use security software, even when installing software from reputed sources.

What Undercode Say: A Deep Dive into Printer Security Risks

The Procolored incident underscores an important and often overlooked risk in today’s connected hardware: supply chain security. As more devices—from printers to IoT gadgets—become complex ecosystems of hardware and software, the attack surface expands dramatically. Manufacturers are responsible not only for the hardware quality but also for securing the accompanying software. When this fails, users become the unintended victims of cyberattacks.

One of the crucial vulnerabilities here is the distribution method. Procolored relied on USB drives and file-sharing platforms like mega.nz, neither of which is an ideal or secure software distribution channel for professional-grade equipment. USB drives, in particular, have a long history of being exploited as malware carriers because they are easy to contaminate physically or via compromised supply chains.

The discovery of two different strains of malware hidden in the printer’s software also raises questions about the internal security controls at Procolored. A company serious about security would implement robust code reviews, virus scans, and digital signing of software before release. Instead, the prolonged presence of malware-infected files suggests gaps in their development and quality assurance processes.

From an analytics perspective, this case highlights a broader trend: manufacturers of niche industrial equipment are increasingly targets for cybercriminals. These devices often have less scrutiny compared to consumer electronics, yet are connected to corporate networks, making them an attractive entry point for attackers seeking to infiltrate larger systems.

Furthermore, the cryptocurrency-stealing malware variant emphasizes the financial motivations behind modern cyber threats. Attackers don’t just want to disrupt—they want profit, often siphoning cryptocurrency directly from victims.

For buyers and end-users, the takeaway is clear: never trust hardware and software blindly. Even if a company appears reputable, verify their security measures. Use endpoint protection tools that detect AI-based and signature-less malware and stay informed about vulnerabilities affecting your devices.

Ultimately, Procolored’s response—while eventually proactive—was reactive and belated. Companies today must prioritize cybersecurity throughout the product lifecycle: from design and development to distribution and after-sales support.

Fact Checker Results ✅🔍

Procolored’s claim that malware might have been introduced during USB transfers aligns with known supply chain risks.
Independent cybersecurity experts confirmed the presence of malware strains beyond the initially reported Floxif virus.
Malwarebytes protection detected and blocked the identified malware strains, proving the effectiveness of current security software.

Prediction 🔮: The Future of Hardware Security in Printing and Beyond

The Procolored malware episode signals a wake-up call for manufacturers across industries. As connected devices proliferate, the risk of embedded malware will rise unless companies implement airtight security protocols. We predict several key shifts:

Stricter supply chain audits: Companies will adopt blockchain and cryptographic verification methods to secure software distribution.
Rise in digital signing: Software packages will increasingly require cryptographic signatures to validate authenticity before installation.
Increased regulatory scrutiny: Governments may introduce regulations mandating security standards for industrial and consumer hardware.
Growth of managed security services: More users will turn to professional cybersecurity services to vet and monitor hardware/software security.
Heightened user awareness: End-users will demand transparency about security practices, forcing manufacturers to improve their cybersecurity posture.

This incident is a clear reminder: in an interconnected world, security cannot be an afterthought—it’s a necessity. The days of assuming “trusted” hardware is safe are over, making vigilance and proactive security essential for all users.