The term “quishing” is a clever portmanteau of “QR” (Quick Response) and “phishing.” It’s a cyberattack where criminals use malicious QR codes to trick you into visiting fraudulent websites, downloading malware, or giving up sensitive information. Instead of a clickable text link that can be inspected, the malicious URL is hidden within the visual pattern of a QR code.
How a Quishing Attack Works
A typical quishing attack unfolds in a few simple, yet effective, steps:
- Creation of a Malicious QR Code: The attacker uses an online QR code generator to create a code that links to a fake website. This site is meticulously designed to look like a legitimate service, such as a bank or a popular online store.
- Strategic Distribution: The malicious QR code is then distributed to potential victims. This can be done in a variety of ways, from digital to physical:
- Phishing Emails: The QR code is embedded in an email, often with a sense of urgency, like a message claiming your account has been compromised or a voice message is waiting for you.
- Physical Locations: Attackers can place stickers with their fake QR codes over legitimate ones on things like restaurant menus, parking meters, or public advertisements.
- Text Messages and social media: The codes are shared through text messages or on social media platforms, often with a compelling offer or a fake contest to entice a scan.
- The Deception: When you scan the QR code with your phone, you are immediately redirected to the fraudulent website. Because the QR code hides the true URL, you’re not able to see where you’re going until you’ve already arrived. Once there, you’re prompted to enter sensitive data, which the attacker then harvests.
Quishing vs. Traditional Phishing
While quishing is a type of phishing, it poses unique challenges for both individuals and organizations.
- Bypassing Security Filters: Traditional email security systems are often trained to detect and block suspicious URLs in the text of an email. However, a QR code is just an image. Many security filters can’t decode the image to see the malicious URL, allowing the email to bypass a primary line of defense.
- Physical Attacks: Quishing isn’t limited to the digital world. The physical placement of fake QR codes on legitimate signage makes it a threat that traditional cybersecurity software can’t always protect against.
- User Trust and Convenience: The widespread use and convenience of QR codes have conditioned us to scan them without a second thought. This trust is what attackers exploit, as users often have their guard down, especially when they’re in a hurry or in a public setting.
How to Protect Yourself from Quishing
The good news is that with a little awareness, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to a quishing attack.
- Pause and Inspect: Look for any signs of tampering or an unusual appearance.
- Verify the URL: Always check the URL and look for common signs of a fake website, such as misspellings, extra characters, or http:// instead of https://.
- Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Codes: If you receive an unexpected email or text message with a QR code, navigate to the official website of the company to confirm.
- Never Enter Sensitive Information: If the site asks for your personal information, passwords, or bank details, it’s a major red flag.
- Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): A second line of defense, preventing unauthorized access to the account without additional authentication.
By staying vigilant and using these simple precautions, you can protect yourself and your data from this growing threat in our increasingly QR-code-driven world.
For additional information, visit the Australian Government website.
