Intro
QR codes have become an everyday tool for making payments, accessing websites, or downloading apps. They’re convenient, cost‑effective, and typically popular with customers. But as many conveniences do, QR codes come a hidden risk: quishing — a form of phishing that uses QR codes to deceive unsuspecting people.
Cybercriminals have adapted their tactics to fit into this trend. By disguising harmful links in QR codes, bad actors can target both businesses and their customers with remarkable ease.
What is Quishing?
“Quishing” is a combination of the words “QR Code” and “Phishing.” In traditional phishing attacks, scammers send links via email (Phishing) or text message (Smishing), hoping someone will click and hand over sensitive information. Quishing takes this one step further by embedding the link in a scannable QR code.
Once scanned, the code can:
- Redirect to a fake website, prompting the user to input credentials or payment information.
- Launch a malware download, compromising the device and potentially exposing business or customer data.
- Send a phishing email or text after gaining access to the mobile device.
Quishing attacks have surged in recent years due to the growing popularity of QR codes across industries. Restaurants, retailers, service providers, and other small businesses have embraced QR technology, making them ideal targets.
Why Quishing is a Growing Threat
1. It’s Easy for Attackers
Cybercriminals can create QR codes for free in seconds, and embed them with dangerous links. Compared to traditional phishing, quishing doesn’t require sophisticated coding knowledge or expensive infrastructure; low costs and hurdles mean the method will only gain popularity over time.
2. QR Codes are Everywhere
Organizations of all sizes have added QR codes to menus, advertisements, contactless payment methods, and more. This ubiquity means customers and staff have become accustomed to scanning them without thinking twice, cultivating a habit that bad actors are leveraging as a vulnerability.
3. It’s Hard to Detect
Customers (and employees) can’t “read” a QR code to see where it leads until after it’s scanned. Even vigilant people can be deceived if an attacker replaces a legitimate QR code with a fraudulent one.
4. Targeting Trust
Small businesses often have strong relationships with their customers, making it more likely that patrons will trust a QR code associated with your brand. Bad actors use this trust against your customers, professional network and organization itself, exploiting perceived weaknesses for their own personal gain.
Common Targets and Use Cases
While any person is a potential quishing target, certain scenarios put small businesses and their patrons at higher risk:
Service Businesses
Customers often scan QR codes for appointments or payments, making service‑based businesses an ideal target for quishing attacks.
Business Operations
Employees might scan a code from an email or unfamiliar website, allowing malware or ransomware to infect company devices.
Public Spaces
Organizations relying on mobile payments can be impacted if fraudsters tamper with public QR codes near their site, creating confusion and redirecting payments or data.
Retail Shops
Point‑of‑sale QR codes for payments can be replaced with a scam version. Customers think they’re paying the merchant, when they’re actually transferring money to the attacker.
Review the Potential Impacts
1. Financial Losses
Fraudulent payments can result in chargebacks, lost revenue, and additional transaction costs.
2. Compromise of Trust
Customers and business associates will hesitate ahead of future interactions.
3. Cybersecurity Breach
Employee devices exposed to quishing links can introduce malware or ransomware to your organization’s network, exposing sensitive company and customer data.
4. Reputational Damage
News of a quishing attack spreads quickly online, causing long‑term damage to your brand.
5. Compliance Challenges
Small businesses subject to data privacy regulations (PCI‑DSS, CCPA, or GDPR) can face penalties if quishing compromises sensitive information.
Protecting Your Organization from Quishing
1. Educate Your Team
Make sure every employee understands quishing, the warning signs, and potential impact. Incorporate this training into regular cybersecurity briefings and user education.
2. Validate All QR Codes
Periodically review any QR code you display in representation of your organization. Ensure it hasn’t been replaced or altered.
3. Use Branded or Verified QR Codes
Utilize QR code generation services that support custom branding and verification. This makes it harder for scammers to mimic your official links.
4. Communicate with Customers
Post notices near QR displays reminding customers to only scan official QR codes. Make sure your website clearly confirms which QR codes are legitimate.
5. Regularly Monitor Digital Assets
Perform routine scans of your website, mobile app, and digital services for unauthorized links or changes made.
6. Keep Devices and Systems Updated
Ensure staff mobile devices and business equipment have the latest security patches and anti‑malware tools.
7. Minimize NFC Features When Not In Use
If your Point-of-Sale or mobile devices utilize NFC or QR technology, you may consider turning off these features when not needed.
8. Establish Incident Response Plans
Have a formal plan for identifying, responding to, and reporting quishing incidents. Train staff and review the plan periodically.
Responding to a Quishing Incident
1. Disconnect the Affected Device
If an employee or customer has interacted with a suspect QR code, isolate the device from the company network immediately.
2. Change Compromised Credentials
Prompt impacted staff or customers to reset any passwords potentially exposed in the attack.
3. Perform a System Audit
Scan your network for malware or unauthorized access.
4. Notify Cyberliability Agency
Report the incident to your Cyberliability Insurance Agent to ensure compliance and coverage.
5. Inform Customers and Stakeholders
If an incident affects customers, be PROACTIVE and TRANSPARENT. Issue a statement advising precautions and steps you’re taking to secure their information.
Final Thoughts: Stay Vigilant Against Quishing
For any organization, trust is a cornerstone of long‑term success. In an age where scanning QR codes has become second nature, understanding the threat of quishing is critical for safeguarding yourself, your brand, and your clientele.
By staying informed, training & educating staff, verifying QR usage, and employing strong cybersecurity measures, you can maintain the convenience of technology while minimizing its risks.
Quishing may be growing, but an alert, prepared organization can stay one step ahead.
Need More Advice?
If you’d like help assessing your organization’s cybersecurity posture or creating a quishing prevention strategy, send us a message or email info@guardianinfo.com to get the ball rolling.