Students earning a computer science degree may need to focus on an unusual area in coming years: printers. Technology publications are noting that hackers are increasingly targeting printers, controlling the devices and giving them instructions so rapidly that it may eventually catch fire.

Researchers at Columbia University said they discovered a new class of computer security flaws that could impact millions of businesses and potentially government agencies.

"The problem is, technology companies aren't really looking into this corner of the Internet," said Columbia professor Salvatore Stolfo, who directed the research in the Computer Science Department of Columbia University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. "The research on this is crystal clear. The impact of this is very large. These devices are completely open and available to be exploited."

Recent trends in hacking include compromising victims' email accounts and social media profiles to gain personal information. Hacking group Anonymous also has found out private personal information about controversial agencies and people - such as the police officer who allegedly pepper-sprayed student protesters in California.