How to Stay Safe: Identifying QR Code Phishing (Quishing) Scams

As QR codes have become ubiquitous in restaurants, parking meters, and advertisements, cybercriminals have taken notice. This has given rise to a new threat: content phishing via QR codes, commonly known as "Quishing."

While QR codes themselves are harmless, they can be manipulated to direct users to malicious websites. This guide will explain how these scams work and, most importantly, empower you with the knowledge to identify and avoid them.

What is Quishing?

"Quishing" is a combination of "QR code" and "phishing." In a traditional phishing attack, a scammer sends an email with a malicious link hoping you click it. In a quishing attack, the scammer places a malicious QR code in a physical or digital location, hoping you scan it.

Because QR codes are not readable by the human eye, you cannot see the destination URL until you scan it, making it easier for attackers to hide their traps.

Common Types of QR Code Scams

1. The Parking Meter Swap

Scammers print stickers with their own QR codes and physically paste them over legitimate QR codes on parking meters. Unsuspecting drivers scan the code, think they are paying for parking, but are actually handing their credit card details directly to a thief.

2. Fake Violations and Tickets

You find a fake ticket on your windshield with a QR code to "pay the fine online." The urgency of avoiding a penalty tricks users into scanning and paying without verifying the source.

3. "Urgent" Account Issues

You receive an email or find a flyer claiming your bank account has been compromised or a package cannot be delivered. The QR code promises a quick fix but leads to a fake login page designed to steal your credentials.

How to Spot a Malicious QR Code

Vigilance is your best defense. Look for these red flags:

Tampering Evidence: If scanning a physical code (like on a poster or meter), feel the surface. is there a sticker pasting over the original code? If it looks added on or peels off, do not scan it.
Mismatched Context: Be wary of QR codes in unexpected places or those lacking professional branding. A random sticker on a lamppost promising "Free Money" is almost certainly a scam.
Urgency: Scams rely on panic. "Scan now or lose access!" is a common tactic to bypass your critical thinking.

Safety Best Practices for Scanning

You don't need to stop using QR codes, but you should scan smarter.

1. Preview the URL

Modern smartphone cameras (iOS and Android) will display a small preview of the URL when you hover over a QR code before you tap to open it.

Check the Domain: Does it match the brand? If you are paying for "City Parking," the URL should not be `secure-payment-site-123.com`.
Look for HTTPS: Ensure the site uses a secure connection (https://), though keep in mind scammers can also get SSL certificates.

2. Never Input Info blindly

If a QR code takes you to a login page or payment portal, stop.

Verify Independently: Instead of logging in through the link, close the browser and navigate to the company's website directly through your browser or app.

3. Check the Source

If you receive a QR code via email from a company, verify the sender's email address. Legitimate banks and service providers rarely ask you to scan a QR code to resolve account security issues.

4. Use a Trusted Scanner

While native camera apps are great, some dedicated security apps (like potential future features from trusted antivirus providers) can check the destination URL against databases of known malicious sites.

The Bottom Line

QR codes are a safe and convenient technology when used correctly. The danger lies not in the code, but in where it leads. By taking a brief second to inspect the physical code and verify the URL preview, you can "outsmart" the scammers and scan with confidence.

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