Lexmark International Group, the No. 2 U.S. laser printer maker, recommended customers download the latest firmware for their devices.

The company was asked by the International Business Times for comment after Hewlett-Packard, the No. 1 printer vendor, acknowledged this week that a laser printer outside a corporate firewall could be hacked. HP also conceded that in a private network, even a trusted party could hijack a computer via a malicious effort.

HP, in Palo Alto, Calif., published the statement Nov. 29 after a report on MSNBC cited Columbia University researchers who claimed some laser printers could catch fire and explode if they were successfully attacked.

HP, in a statement, said speculation regarding potential for devices to catch fire due to a firmware charge is false.

Firmware generally refers to the computer instructions and data that reside on an electronic product, not its overall software.

Lexmark, in Lexington, Ky., declined comment on the MSNBC report but sent IBTimes a statement saying customers ought to have the latest firmware. The printer maker also said it conducts rigorous reviews of security standards for new and legacy products and monitors risk of security exposures.

Lexmark attempts to ensure security by sending encrypted firmware that is validated at the device when downloaded, robust digital signature verification and authentication and authorization mechanisms to prevent unauthorized firmware updates.

The company, which makes all its laser printer components while HP relies upon printer engines supplied by Canon, said it also deploys tamper resistant memory security features.

Lexmark previously reported third-quarter revenue rose one percent to $1.04 billion, which included a two percent gain on hardware revenue.

Lexmark shares closed Thursday at $33.64, up 18 cents. The shares are down about 3.4 percent this year.

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