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Best practices for securing your printer and local network

Last updated on Mar 31, 2026

Keep Your Machines Safe

3D printers are thermal devices capable of reaching 300°C+. Exposing them directly to the open internet is a massive security risk.

Rule 1: NEVER Port Forward

Do not open port 5000 or 80 on your home router to allow external access to OctoPrint or Mainsail. This exposes your network to ransomware.

Rule 2: Use the SoLoPrint Bridge

SoLoPrint was engineered expressly to prevent port forwarding. By installing the SoLoPrint Bridge on your Raspberry Pi, the Pi establishes an outbound connection to our secure relays. This creates a secure tunnel without modifying your router's firewall.

Rule 3: Secure your API Keys

When generating a Bridge Key in the SoLoPrint dashboard, treat it like a password. Do not share it. Our platform uses Row Level Security (RLS) to ensure that only authenticated users tied to your Workspace can interact with your hardware.