ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

Consumers are Being Targeted by 'Quishing' Scams That Use QR Codes; Here's how They Work

Explore the ins and outs of 'Quishing' and arm yourself with insights on protecting against phishing QR scams in this digital age.
PUBLISHED DEC 6, 2023
Cover Imaage Source: Pexels | Photo by Pixabay
Cover Imaage Source: Pexels | Photo by Pixabay

In an era when QR codes are becoming synonymous with access and transactions, millions of Americans are scanning them as part of their mobile-driven routines. With more than 89 million Americans relying on these scannable squares for their everyday needs, the surge in usage has unwittingly opened the door to scammers seeking to exploit this convenience with yet another new scam.

Pexels | Photo by Leeloo Thefirst
Pexels | Photo by Leeloo Thefirst

Once a niche technology, QR codes experienced a meteoric rise during the pandemic, becoming an integral part of our daily routines. But, this ease of access comes at a price, as recent research by Checkpoint revealed a staggering 587% increase in QR code phishing scams from August to September of this year alone. Scammers are now capitalizing by creating deceptive QR codes that lead unsuspecting individuals to spoofed websites.

Jeremy Fuchs, a security research analyst with Checkpoint, sheds light on the mechanics of the scam, explaining how when users scan a QR code, a little link preview will come up showing the page that it's going to go to. Hence checking if it looks suspicious is one way to steer clear of the scam.

Pexels | Photo by iMin Technology
Pexels | Photo by iMin Technology

The 'Quishing' or 'QR Phishing' scam typically begins with a seemingly harmless email from a trusted source, be it your bank, employer, or another reputable business. The recipient is then prompted to scan a QR code for various reasons, such as checking into an upcoming appointment or viewing an invoice. Little do they know that the simple-looking QR code conceals a sinister agenda. Once scanned, victims are redirected to a spoofed website, where they may unwittingly divulge sensitive information, falling prey to identity theft. Even more alarming is the potential for some fake QR codes to lead users to sites that automatically download malware onto their devices, compromising personal security.

Pexels | Photo by iMin Technology
Pexels | Photo by iMin Technology

The widespread presence of QR codes makes their elimination impossible, but understanding how to navigate this digital minefield is key to safeguarding personal information. Due to the logistical challenges, scammers are more likely to target individuals through phishing emails rather than through physical QR codes. Therefore, the onus is on the recipient to verify the legitimacy of the email before taking the plunge and scanning the QR code.

As we continue to embrace the convenience of QR codes in our daily lives, the rise of 'Quishing' serves as a stark reminder of the lurking dangers. Awareness, skepticism, and a touch of common sense are our best weapons against these digital predators. So, the next time you're tempted to scan a QR code, take a moment to scrutinize the associated URL, ensuring that you're not inadvertently inviting a scammer to the party. In this era of digital connectivity, protection against fraudulent schemes requires more than just antivirus software. It demands a vigilant mindset and a commitment to staying one step ahead of those seeking to exploit the very technology designed to make our lives easier.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
One of the women said she had no idea that the other had such a bill and was just riding along.
5 hours ago
Even though the buyer wasn't able to keep all of it, he did walk away with a massive profit.
9 hours ago
It came into existence during the English Civil War, when colonists in Boston seized an opportunity to create their own currency
1 day ago
The vessel ended up with a hole and caused an oil spill that raised concerns among the locals.
1 day ago
The artist and the owner of the artwork were unfazed since the banana would go bad at some point anyway.
1 day ago
One of the customers contacted her employer after receiving her wage twice, and soon realized it was an error.
2 days ago
She first bought 20 tickets and then went back to buy 10 more after she had an intuition.
2 days ago
In an attempt to surprise Sandler, Spade ended up being more generous than he planned.
3 days ago
The man's presence at a women-only poker event also sparked a huge online debate.
3 days ago
He revealed that the piece of advice that changed his outlook toward money came from a celebrity business manager Lester Knispel.
3 days ago
The workers chose to stick to the company's core values and did the right thing.
3 days ago
The guest revealed that she didn't know about the trade mentioned on the disk when it was purchased.
4 days ago
The CEO at the local casino decided to make her birthday even more special by adding a gift to her winnings.
4 days ago
Sometimes things that don't shine turn out to be worth more than gold.
4 days ago
Spending on restaurants and hotels increased by 0.3 percent in May which was the single largest influence.
5 days ago
The Hollywood star said, "I've left more money on the table than any actor actually."
5 days ago
Many are now heading to the shop from far beyond the county to try their luck.
5 days ago
The duo also performed a cover of Adam Jenson's 2017 song “Street Fight”.
5 days ago
Pam, 83, said "I could have made a fortune, but it wasn’t to be. I’ve had a happier life than Marilyn ever had. I’ve no regrets."
6 days ago
Early 1980s was a special era as several rare coins were minted then.
6 days ago