With the great fame and use that QR codes are gradually gaining, which we see more and more often in the menu of restaurants, renting electric scooters or reading pdf, it seems more than logical that with it the problems of new break-ins and theft will come. private data.
This is known as QRishing and is an easy way for these people to use QR codes to steal personal information, install malware on a device, or direct a person to an insecure website with rather malicious intent.
Let’s go piece by piece and explain how this system works. QRishing is translated as phishing, but using QR codes.
For example, an attacker might leave flyers at a bus stop or on tables in a restaurant. When a person scans a QR code with their mobile phone, thinking it’s something interesting to consult or menu, among other things, it will display a URL, an image, or a map showing directions to the place.
From here, scammers are already relying on their technological capabilities to trick victims into sharing sensitive data. Hackers can take advantage of vulnerabilities such as WebKit flaws in the browser to take over a vulnerable system.
The trick is that they know perfectly well what tricks to use to get your attention and make you fall. For example, they usually embed these QR in a fraudulent email (part of the street).
Because, unlike hyperlinks, hovering over a QR code does not show the target URL, so it’s easy for a scammer to tell a potential victim to scan the QR code to gain access, such as an opportunity to win something.
Faced with this and thousands of other situations that you may encounter, it is recommended that you update your software first, as it includes security improvements and will prevent hackers from installing malware on your smartphone.
Of course, since you know this scam exists, be skeptical of any QR you see, especially on the street or in public places. This form of phishing it is relatively new and few people know about it, which means people can easily fall for it.
Source: Computer Hoy
I am Bret Jackson, a professional journalist and author for Gadget Onus, where I specialize in writing about the gaming industry. With over 6 years of experience in my field, I have built up an extensive portfolio that ranges from reviews to interviews with top figures within the industry. My work has been featured on various news sites, providing readers with insightful analysis regarding the current state of gaming culture.
