What is Quishing(QR Phishing)?Common Attacks, Vulnerabilities and Prevention

What Is Quishing?

Quishing is a cyber attack technique in which QR codes are used to deceive people into divulging information or downloading malware. This makes quishing not dependent on deceptive emails or websites, like so many other forms of phishing.

The malicious codes are disseminated in any carrier, whether printed materials—flyers, posters, menus—or through digital media, such as email or social media.

When scanned, these QR codes redirect potential victims to the imitation of legitimate services on fake websites or initiate downloading applications that are considered harmful.

Such malicious activity is carried out either for sensitive information like login details, financial information, and personal information or to compromise the victim’s device with malware.

The malicious websites linked to the QR codes may appear legitimate, enhancing the effectiveness of the scam.

Additionally, quishing can lead to unauthorized transactions, financial loss, identity theft, and the installation of software that monitors or controls the user’s device.

The deceptive nature and ease of distribution make quishing a potent threat in the realm of cyber security.

What are QR Codes?

QR codes are the abbreviation for Quick Response codes, which are considered two-dimensional barcodes containing a lot more information than could be stored by traditional barcodes.

The QR codes were developed by the Japanese company Denso Wave Inc. in 1994 and are black elements on a white background, which a smartphone camera or a specific QR code reader can read.

If scanned, a QR code directs to a specific URL, shows text, places a particular contact in the user’s phone book, or does any other function it is activated to do by the clicked data.

The codes are heavily used in multiple industries. The essential reason for their application is high versatility and simplicity in usage.

They are found on product packages, ads, business cards, tickets, and menus, which enable people to access websites, promotions, contact information, and whatever else might be handy.

The essential capability of storing various types of data and, in modern times, the ability to be quickly scanned by current mobile devices, has made QR codes an essential tool for businesses and consumers to quickly and conveniently access digital information and services.

How Quishing Works?

Quishing plays on the deceptive features of QR codes, which do not usually raise one’s suspicion. The process is generally executed in the following manner:

Step 1: Creation of Malicious QR Codes

Attackers create QR codes that encode malicious URLs or scripts. These codes may look natural and are designed to deceive users into believing they are connecting to some natural resource.

These QR code URLs often lead to phishing sites or sites able to download malware onto the user’s device.

Also Read: Phishing Attacks: How to Spot and Prevent Online Scams?

Step 2: Distribution

The malicious QR codes are distributed through various channels. Attackers may place them on physical materials, such as flyers, posters, or public spaces, and they could also distribute these codes digitally through emails, social media posts, or websites.

Sometimes, attackers swap the legitimate QR code with their malicious versions, further inconveniencing the user.

Step 3: Scan the QR Code

Users are redirected to the embedded URL when they scan the QR code using their smartphone or another QR code reader.

They do not often notice the scanning source of the QR code because they find access faster and more convenient than other means of communication.

Step 4: Redirection to Malicious Webpages

Scanning the QR code would redirect the user to malicious web pages. These webpages are generally designed to replicate the same look and feel of authentic web pages like banking portals, social media logins, or payment gateways.

Step 5: Data Extraction or Malware Installation

On such impersonation webpages, users can be bombarded with requests for sensitive information like usernames or passwords to various sites or credit card details.

On the other hand, scanning the QR code may automatically start downloading malware.

What Can Happen If You Scan a Fake QR Code?

Potential implications of using fake QR code include the following: Depending on the malicious content put in the code, the following repercussions are possible.

The most common personal consequence is being a victim of the phishing attack, and the QR code leads to the site being created to mimic the original one.

These sites usually ask you for private information, for instance, account numbers and passwords, credit card details, or identification information, and then relay this information to the attacker for purposes of identity theft, breaking into your accounts, or stealing your money.

A possible negative outcome is receiving messages with the subsequent malware download to your gadget.

This malware can do several malicious things like key-logging, file theft, screen-shooting, or even full system compromise that results in draining all your data and financial transactions without your consent.

Also, scanning the fake QR code may lead to ransomware, whereby your files are locked, and a ransom is paid for the files to be unlocked. This leads to the accumulation of loss and inconvenience, especially when data is vital for carrying out business operations.

Also Read: Ransomware Unveiled: Key Insights 2024 and Essential Defense Strategies for 2025

Loss of money can also be experienced, particularly if malware has captured your banking details and can perform unauthorized transactions, which may take some time to address.

Another significant threat is the violation of users’ privacy since their contacts and social security numbers can be transferred to malicious actors, who can then reuse them for further phishing attacks, sell to other cybercriminals, or pretend to be someone else.

Also, account takeover is possible; by having your login credentials, they can control your email, social media, or even any other account and use them to perpetrate more scams, spread spam, or get more of your personal details.

These diverse and essential risks explain why it is necessary not to be negligent and suspicious when using QR codes for scanning.

Common Scenarios of QR Code Scams

Phishing with QR Codes

Phishing has evolved with technological advancement and now uses QR codes as one of its new vectors. Fraudsters create malicious QR codes linked to websites to steal personal information.

Phishing websites typically mirror real ones, such as financial institutions, social media networks, or email login sites, to deceive a person into entering their login information.

For example, a user, having received an email from their bank, is requested to scan a QR code to confirm information about the account.

After this scanning, the QR code downlinks to a fake banking site, requiring the user to enter captured login credentials, which the scammers will capture.

This is because scammers prey on the trust accorded by the QR code while at the same time portraying the authenticity of email communications.

Malware Downloads

QR codes can be used to direct malware or malicious software downloads into a user’s device. This may be done by obtaining and accessing sensitive information, tracking user activity, or an unauthorized takeover of such devices.

The following example can be used to illustrate this vulnerability: A QR code can be found on this promotion flier for a popular app discount.

The app looked genuine, but scanning the code would download an application that acted as malware for the device, allowing itself to be easily compromised.

The malware could record keystrokes and make off with passwords; it could also control the device from a remote location, which constituted an extreme threat to the user, unbeknownst to the user.

Payment Scams over QR Codes

The scams related to payments made over QR codes have become increasingly easy to pull off, especially in situations in which these payments have begun to be commonly used.

The scammers replace the actual QR codes with theirs to direct payments straight to their accounts instead of those of the targeted senders.

For example, a scammer placing a QR code for a bill payment on the table at a restaurant will redirect the payments to the scammer’s account and not that of the restaurant.

This type of scam preys on the convenience of the QR code payments and the trust that users have in the physical placements of the QR codes in public spaces.

Insecure QR Codes

Insecure QR codes might also lead to website redirections that promote security compromises, data theft, and other types of scams. For example, a QR code on a public advertisement may claim to lead to a contest entry page.

Once scanned, it leads to a malicious site that will request the user’s personal information or download malicious software. Those sites can look legitimate and fool the user.

This is where the major component of the scam is: the ease with which QR codes direct users to online destinations without URL typing.

Fake and Scammy App Promotions

Scammers will circulate QR codes that claim to give free access to popular, practical, paid apps. Such apps are generally fakes, meant to steal data or install malware. Here is one recent example:

A QR code was shared on social media, promising free access to a premium app. When a user scans the code, it takes them to a web address that installs a malicious app instead of the promoted one.

This situation capitalizes on the desire of users to acquire software either for free or at a discount, in this case, not considering the trust that is given to shared recommendations on social networking sites.

How to Avoid QR Code Phishing?

QR code phishing is often called “quishing,” Up to now, it has been increasingly used by threat actors to lure their victims into phishing sites through QR codes. Below are some of the elaborated ways that can be used to avoid falling prey to QR code phishing:

Check the Source of the QR Code

Always verify the source from which the QR code has been obtained before scanning. QR codes are present on many different media types, from ads and emails to websites and print.

However, if you see a QR code on a piece of media you weren’t expecting to receive, like an email from an entity you didn’t know or on a flier, please pause to think about the source. Contact the organization that allegedly issued the QR code to verify its legitimacy.

For example, if a bank sends you a QR code, call your bank through customer service so they can check for the existence of the QR code. Confirming the origin of the QR code is very important in an attempt to avoid the phishing method.

Use a Secure QR Code Scanner

Use only secure QR code scanner applications. Those applications scan the URL for threats before that URL is opened, adding an extra layer of security. Some of the recommended apps include the following:

• Kaspersky QR Scanner: Scans the QR code and shows whether the link is safe or not, thus being a helper in your safe-surfing journey.
• Norton Snap QR Code Reader: Provides security checks to ensure you are not directed to phishing attacks and warns you of dangerous URLs.

These two apps decrease the risk of scanning dangerous QRs by checking the destination URL beforehand.

Check the URL Carefully

Pay close attention to the URL if a QR code is used to forward you to a website. It has to start with “https://” or be just “http://”. You should ensure no misspelled words and strange-looking characters in the URL.

Such elements can draw the conclusion that you have been directed to a phishing site. It is a common practice for cybercriminals to register URLs that look similar to legitimate ones with only small characteristic changes in the spelling or with added characters.

For example, it might substitute the numeral one for the letter “L,” so for “paypal.com, it says “paypa1.com”. Always look at the URL and ensure it is what you believe it should be.

Be Cautious of QR Codes in Public Spaces

Fraudsters routinely place fake QR codes over legitimate ones in public areas. Check for possible signs of tampering before scanning, such as stickers placed on other codes or QR codes that appear out of place.

It should be avoided if a QR code seems suspicious or has been located in an odd place. Instead, one should manually enter the URL or find the information through other trusted sources.

For instance, if a QR code is meant to lead you to the restaurant’s menu, you could inquire from the staff or visit the website independently.

Do Not Scan QR Codes from Unknown Sources

Do not scan QR codes from unsolicited emails, texts, social media posts, or random flyers. Using such methods, cybercriminals spread malicious QR codes.

And if you receive a QR code unexpectedly—especially from an unknown sender—it is best to ignore it.

If the sender seemingly comes from a friend on your list, their account has possibly been compromised. Verify the sender’s identity over another channel before scanning the QR code.

Conclusion

With threats changing daily, there is no other time to make sure you protect your digital identity. Let Certera Security Services be your partner in standing up your defenses against phishing attacks, malware, and emerging cyber risks.