Quishing is an innovation of phishing attacks in which a person is trapped by merely scanning a QR code to reveal personal information. Quick Response Codes also known as QR codes are bar codes that contain some information. They also can lead you to a website or a payment gateway or save details such as phone numbers when scanned with your smartphone.

Although QR codes are helpful, it is also that they are being exploited by scammers conducting their phishing attacks. In a quishing attack, scammers generate fake barcodes that connect with destructive sites or a fake sign-in page to con borrowers out of their identity.

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How Does Quishing Work?

Quishing works similarly to other forms of phishing attacks; however, it is accomplished using QR codes.

Here’s how it happens:

• Fake QR Codes: Fraudsters make codes that mimic a reputable organisation like a bank, company or service provider.

• Phishing Emails or Messages: These malicious QR codes are normally shared through the means of unsolicited emails, and or messages in a way that they look as if they have been sent by trusted companies or our friends

• Scanning the Code: If you are unfortunate enough to scan the QR code, it might direct you to a clone website that seems legitimate but in a real sense it is out to lure you into giving out your information including login details and credit card information. Sometimes, the code will download a virus into your gadget or system, for instance.

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Why Is Quishing Dangerous?

QR codes can avoid other major security features such as spam filters and antivirus applications because they are normally regarded as images. This makes quishing particularly pernicious as it’s not often stopped by your primary line of cybersecurity defence. This is because as soon as you scan a bad QR code your details are vulnerable and can easily be accessed without your knowledge.

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How To Prevent Yourself From Becoming A Quishing?

Protecting yourself from quishing involves being cautious and following some basic safety tips:

• Verify the Source: Do not scan QR codes from unknown sources. Do not scan the codes that come via an email, message or Website credibility that you have never seen before.

• Look for Signs of Phishing: If you are redirected through a QR code to a website, always look at the URL to see if it is a real one. Be weary whenever a site asks for information about itself immediately.

• Use Security Apps: Some security apps can be able to detect scams, so try to find the most suitable app compatible with your smartphone.

• Be Cautious on Social Media: It is also possible for hackers to incorporate QR codes in their social media posts and messages.

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What Points To Keep In Mind To Keep Your Data Safe?

Find below some of the best suggestions for security awareness:

• Keep Training Updated: Security training should be updated frequently to incorporate new threats since these scams are always emerging.

• Spot Quishing Attacks: Learn how to identify such scams that are likely to be executed in the future/now such as quishing (QR code phishing).

• Guide on How to Respond: Some of the common signs are inability to spell and/ or use grammar well, unrecognisable sender email addresses and messages that are in extremes of urgency.

Why Is Quishing Becoming So Popular?

The reason behind Quishing being so popular nowadays is that people uselessly avoid opening links in emails because of self-developed fears. However, they do not consider QR codes as a threat. Due to this inexperience, people are likely to fall for tricks by attackers and scan dangerous QR codes without security concerns.

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Conclusion

Quishing is a new emerging issue popularising the utilisation of QR codes in a vicious act to rob individual identification data. Because hackers are constantly improving the ways to get past these barriers, one must be knowledgeable and careful. Nowadays, when it comes to QR codes, it is better to be extra careful and never scan any QR code without second thoughts, even if it seems to be useful, it is better to guarantee it is from a trusted source, or at least from a reputable company.

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Important Links

Cyber Crime Website: https://cybercrime.gov.in/

NPCI UPI Dispute Redressal: https://www.npci.org.in/what-we-do/upi/dispute-redressal-mechanism

Contact Us: https://www.npci.org.in/get-in-touch