What is quishing or QR phishing?
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QR codes have become common, allowing users to make financial transactions, access web pages, read digital menus, download tickets, and interact with marketing campaigns. However, the popularity of these codes increases the risk of scammers abusing the technology.
A quishing or QR phishing attack refers to phishing conducted via malicious QR codes. In particular, users are redirected to a website with malicious code or tricked into sharing their personal information. In most cases, users are unaware of the link’s destination because it is invisible. Thus, awareness of the issue and identifying warning signs might be important for safe use of QR codes.
The following blog post discusses quishing, or QR phishing.
What is quishing or QR phishing?
Quishing, short for QR code phishing, is an online attack in which cybercriminals use QR codes to redirect victims to harmful or scam websites.
Unlike simple phishing attacks, where criminals use links in emails or messages, a quishing attack uses a QR code to achieve the same objective.
Rather than sending a suspicious link through an email or message, cybercriminals hide the link behind a QR code and ask victims to scan it.
By scanning the code, the victim might visit a fake site that steals passwords, personal details, or other account information.
How does quishing work?
QR code phishing, also known as quishing, uses a fraudulent QR code to direct the victim to a fake website or ask for sensitive information. Such QR codes are distributed through emails, SMS, posters, products or packages, or anywhere else a person can scan them. After scanning the code, the victim lands on a fake website that looks legitimate, such as a login or payment page. The victim is then asked to provide login credentials, bank account details, a debit or credit card number, or other sensitive information.
Where can quishing attacks appear?
- Emails and newsletters
- Text messages
- Social media posts
- Fake advertisements
- Parking meters and payment areas
- Restaurant menus
- Posters and flyers
- Package or delivery notices
- Fake invoices and payment requests
What makes quishing so dangerous?
The quishing attack technique is very dangerous because it uses the features of QR codes along with phishing methods. Users can scan a code without checking where it goes, so hackers can lure them to fraudulent web pages.
QR codes can hide the destination
With a regular link, users can see where it takes them before they click it, but with a QR code, they cannot. As a result, it becomes difficult to tell whether the URL is legitimate or malicious.
Fraudulent sites may appear real
Attackers can design phishing websites that imitate reputable financial institutions, payment systems, online stores, and other sites. They may use logos, coloring, and other design features to make a page look real. As a result, it can be hard for users to distinguish a phishing site from similar legitimate sites.
QR codes promote fast actions
The main idea of QR codes is to provide quick access to the needed information. Attackers can use this feature because people tend to scan codes without thinking deeply. As a result, attackers may post their codes next to legitimate ones or use urgent appeals to encourage users to scan them quickly.
How to protect yourself from quishing
Here are some basic steps that you can take to stay safe from quishing threats. Because malicious QR codes appear online and offline, check the code’s origin, verify the destination URL, and avoid sharing personal information on unknown websites.
Check the source of the QR code
If you use a QR code for the first time, consider its source and what you expect it to do. Never scan a QR code provided via spam email, strange messages, advertisements, or unknown websites.
Check the link before opening it
Most QR scanners show the destination URL before opening the website. You can also use a reliable QR code scanner to scan the code and preview its destination before visiting the webpage. Take a moment to check the link and see whether it contains an unfamiliar domain, a typo, or a strange website name. If it does not match the organization you expected, avoid opening the webpage. Microsoft recommends checking the destination URL for misspellings and other signs that the domain may not be legitimate
Do not provide confidential data
Please proceed with caution in case a website linked via QR code asks for your password, banking, or credit card information. Just because a QR code is attached to a nice-looking flyer or message doesn’t mean it’s legitimate.
Choose reliable applications and security programs
Keep your smartphone OS, browser, and security program updated. Security updates keep your smartphone secure against vulnerabilities and improve its ability to identify phishing sites. Use safe QR-scanning software or apps that can preview the site’s URL.
What should you do if you scanned a malicious QR code?
- Close the malicious website.
- Don’t enter any personal information.
- Change the password you had before.
- Notify the bank if you entered any financial information.
- Be aware of any suspicious activities in your account.
- Report the phishing message/website/QR Code.
Conclusion
QR phishing is becoming more challenging because it exploits the convenience of QR codes. Cybercriminals use malicious QR codes to redirect users to fake websites from which they can steal passwords, money, and other personal information. One can avoid QR phishing by checking the code’s source, verifying the website, avoiding suspicious sites, and thinking twice about unusual demands. In case one has scanned a harmful QR code, one is advised to close the website and change their passwords, then report to the financial institution concerned.