"Cracking the Code: Unmasking the QR Quishing Threat"


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QR codes, invented in 1994, have become ubiquitous in daily life since the rise of smartphones. Initially designed to improve efficiency in car manufacturing, they now serve diverse purposes like URL redirection. However, their popularity has attracted cyber attacks, with a 51% increase noted in September 2023. This article explores how hackers exploit QR codes, offers detection methods, and suggests protective measures.

What is Quishing?Quishing is a form of phishing using QR codes to deliver malware or redirect users to fraudulent websites. These codes are spread through posters, mail, emails, or even stickers placed over legitimate QR codes. Despite people's caution with links, QR codes often bypass scrutiny, leading to increased vulnerability.

3 Examples of Quishing QR codes are an incredibly versatile technology with a wide range of uses. These codes provide great convenience and are often used in situations meant to save time for the user, which can lead the person scanning a QR code not to take the time to analyze it properly.

Common QR scam situations include:

  1. QR code login: Hackers send fake QR codes via email, posing as legitimate apps, leading victims to fraudulent websites to steal login credentials.
  2. Physical QR codes: QR codes on flyers or posters offer gifts or access to content, but lead to malware-infected websites.
  3. Fraudulent invoices: Fake invoices contain QR codes redirecting users to fake payment pages to steal banking information.

Sophia Grace V
Network Security Engineer

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