A Quishing attack, also known as QR code phishing, consists of stealing private information, installing malware or forcing the victim to constantly visit a web page.
To achieve their goal, the hacker creates a QR code that takes the person to pirate sites, such as corrupt payment systems, links with viruses, platforms for hosting infected files, etc.
Pirate QR codes can be anywhere, are part of posters, advertisements in public places such as restaurants, shopping centers, parks, airports and more. Below, you will learn the repercussions of Quishing and how you can easily avoid it.
How can a “Quishing” attack harm you?
Since the cybercriminal uses a QR code, it is difficult to know if you have been a victim of this scam until it is too late, so it is vital that you know how it can affect you.
– Malicious websites: The code has the ability to redirect you to a page that could mimic the function of a payment system. If you enter your personal information without realizing that you have been redirected to a malicious website, the hacker can steal your credit and debit card information. With this he can make purchases, open fake accounts in your name, clone the cards and more.
– Malware infection: The QR can also redirect to corrupt programs such as malware, ransomware, trojans, etc. These viruses are programmed to install on the mobile in order to host invasive software on the smartphone, steal information, track web activity and more.
– Social network control: Hacking can cause the person to lose control over their social networks and other important applications. For example, a virus received through a link reached by a malicious QR code could take over your access data to your social networks.
It could also send emails from the victim’s account with malicious links to scam contacts. It is also common for him to send pirated links through WhatsApp.
How to avoid Quishing?
One of the best ways to protect yourself from quishing and other types of attacks is to use one of the best mobile antivirus. You should also pay attention to the following:
– URL preview: Before entering a URL, the mobile will offer a preview, if you do not have access to it, then do not enter the link. You can also check the security protocol of the page, secure websites use HTTPS instead of HTTP.
– Confirm the URL: It is a simple technique in which you only have to read the URL in question. If you see that there are misspelled words or symbols that do not make sense, do not access the link. Also, if the content comes with an urgent message, do not pay attention to it, as this is a recurring scam method.
– Integrated mobile scanner: Hackers can create third-party apps to scan QR codes, so these apps are not secure. To avoid a scam, it is best to use the mobile’s built-in scanner to obtain reliable information about the code in question before entering it.
