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Quishing: The Rising Threat of QR Code Phishing Attacks

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🔍 What Is Quishing?

Quishing (QR code phishing) is a sophisticated social engineering attack where scammers embed malicious links in QR codes to:

Steal login credentials
Install malware
Commit financial fraud

Unlike traditional phishing, quishing bypasses email filters since the malicious link is hidden in an image rather than text.

📈 Why Quishing Is Exploding in 2024

300% increase in quishing attacks since 2022 (HP Wolf Security)
58% of employees scan QR codes at work without verifying them (Tessian)
QR code usage grew 450% post-pandemic (MobileIron)

Real-World Example:
A US accounting firm lost $500,000 after an employee scanned a fake “invoice QR code” that redirected to a banking phishing page.

🛑 How Quishing Scams Work

Step 1: The Bait

Scammers place fake QR codes in:
✔ Fake parking meter payments
✔ “Urgent” document scans
✔ Shady restaurant menus
✔ Compromised business emails

Step 2: The Redirect

The QR code sends victims to:

Fake login pages (Microsoft, banks, corporate portals)
Malware downloads (Disguised as “document viewers”)
Payment portals (For fake fines/subscriptions)

Step 3: The Payload

Credentials stolen via fake login forms
Bank accounts drained through instant transfers
Ransomware deployed via malicious downloads

🔎 5 Ways to Spot Quishing Attempts

Unusual Placement

QR codes on random stickers (parking meters, ATMs)
Unexpected emails/DMs urging you to scan

No Context or Branding

Legit businesses always pair QR codes with logos/instructions

Shortened URLs

Hover over the QR code (if digital) to check the real destination

Urgent Language

“Scan immediately to avoid account suspension!”

Poor Design Quality

Blurry, pixelated, or tampered-with codes

🛡️ How to Protect Against Quishing

For Individuals:

✔ Use a QR scanner with preview (Kaspersky, McAfee)
✔ Never scan codes from strangers
✔ Verify shortened URLs with UnshortenIt
✔ Enable MFA on all accounts

For Businesses:

✔ Train employees on quishing risks
✔ Use enterprise QR solutions (Like MS Authenticator for verified scans)
✔ Block malicious domains via DNS filtering

📌 What to Do If You Scanned a Suspicious QR Code

Disconnect from Wi-Fi/Data (Stop data transmission)
Run antivirus scans (Malwarebytes, Norton)
Change all passwords (Especially if you entered any)
Monitor bank statements for fraud

💡 The Future of QR Security

Dynamic QR codes (Expire after one scan)
AI-powered scanners that detect malicious links
Biometric verification for high-risk scans

🔗 Share this guide to combat quishing!

Quishing #CyberSecurity #Phishing #ScamAlert