‘Quishing:’ How this modern version of phishing poses new risks to online security
You may have seen square-shaped barcodes on posters, advertisements, and the like, inviting you to scan them with your phone’s camera. Known as quick response codes (QR codes for short), these handy codes store and share information, like website links, in a format that can be easily scanned by mobile devices.
Known as “quishing” – or QR-phishing, this cyber threat takes advantage of QR codes, taking on various forms. Now, every time you scan a QR code, you expose yourself to the risk of encountering a malicious or fake QR code, which can jeopardize your financial security and potentially lead to identity theft.
Attackers can deceive you by placing QR codes under false pretenses, leading you to scan a code and unknowingly visit harmful websites, download malicious software, or perform any other action that your mobile device allows.The widespread use and flexibility of QR codes give cybercriminals a perfect tool to hide their harmful links and evade anti-spam filters.
It is essential to stay updated on these trends to understand how to respond and avoid falling victim to cybercrime. Before scanning a QR code, take precautions to protect yourself and ensure its legitimacy. Be sure to check if the QR code has been tampered with or covered with a potentially harmful code. Additionally, research the organization or source of the QR code to verify its authenticity. To learn more, check out the links below.
QR code warning: What is ‘quishing’ and how to avoid getting scammed
Scammers Look to Hook Vacation Shoppers with Phishing Emails
Let’s be careful out there!
The PJ Networks Team
