Quishing: The Ultimate Guide to QR Code Fraud and Cybersecurity

Like many people, you probably see Quick Response Codes (QR Codes) several times a day. These nifty solutions are so versatile that business owners, marketers, event managers, and individuals use them for everything from promoting events to sharing contact information.  

But are QR Codes safe? The simple answer is yes—QR Code technology itself is safe. However, scammers do create fake QR Codes to direct people to malicious websites—which has become known as quishing. 

To protect your brand and your customers, you need to know how to prevent falling victim to this scam and educate your audience and employees on how to spot fake codes. Here, we take an in-depth look at quishing—what it is, how it works, and how to minimize its impact.

Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.

What is quishing?

Quishing is a type of cyberattack that uses QR Codes to direct audiences to fake or malicious websites. It’s a growing cyber threat—a recent study discovered more than 560,000 phishing emails involving QR Codes over three months in 2024. With the growing popularity of QR Codes, it’s clear why cybercriminals are increasingly using them to gain access to unauthorized information. 

To understand quishing, you need to understand how QR Codes work. These two-dimensional barcodes encode information like website URLs, contact information, videos, and Wi-Fi passwords. When scanned with a mobile device, they provide instant access to the linked information without typing in web addresses or searching the internet. 

With quishing, attackers embed malicious links into QR Codes and distribute them to their targets via email, social media, or printed materials. Some even replace authentic codes with fake ones in areas where people expect to find real codes. For example, they may place fake QR Codes on marketing flyers, menus, or parking meters. 

When scanned, fake QR Codes direct people to fraudulent web pages designed to download malware or steal personal information like Social Security numbers or login credentials. 

Quishing vs. phishing

Phishing is a social engineering attack designed to trick people into sharing personal data, and these scams are on the rise—255 million attacks were identified in 2022, marking a 61% rise from 2021.

Phishing scammers typically use emails, text messages, phone calls, and fraudulent links to steal personal data. Here’s how phishing works:

1. Scammers send emails or texts pretending to be trusted individuals or businesses. 
   
   
2. They embed malicious links in their messages and use enticing language, like limited-time discounts, to create a sense of urgency and encourage recipients to click them. 
   
   
3. Once clicked, they direct recipients to fake websites that collect sensitive data. 

Quishing, on the other hand, is just a specific type of phishing scam where the fraudster embeds the malicious links in QR Codes.

The risks of quishing attacks

Quishing attacks can have serious negative impacts, as they jeopardize sensitive personal data. This leaves people vulnerable to identity theft, credit card fraud, and unauthorized bank account withdrawals. Recuperating fraudulent charges and reestablishing privacy after a personal breach can take months of effort and be a significant source of stress.

These attacks can also harm businesses. If scammers masquerade malicious QR Codes as yours, they can damage your brand reputation and erode customer trust. And if employees fall victim to quishing attacks, cybercriminals may install malware on their devices, putting your entire business at risk of data breaches and operational disruptions. 

Surprisingly, a 2023 study found that executives experienced 42 times more quishing attacks than other employees—highlighting the importance of training both front-line and C-level staff on identifying these scams.

How to spot a QR Code scam

Spotting quishing scams requires vigilance and strong attention to detail. Here are some ways your customers and employees can identify potential attacks before falling victim:

• Look for signs of tampering: Some QR Code scammers place malicious codes on top of authentic ones to reduce suspicion. Be cautious of stickers slapped over existing QR Codes on print materials like flyers and signage. 
  
  
• Confirm the source: Before scanning a QR Code that someone sends you, make sure it’s from a trusted organization or individual by confirming the sender’s info. If the code is in a public place, look for signs that indicate its legitimacy, like official branding.
  
  
• Verify the associated URL: This is important for original codes as well as screenshots of QR Codes. Check whether the embedded URL is legitimate by confirming the domain name. If the embedded link is a short URL, assess the website it directs you to before providing any information. 
  
  
• Check the legitimacy of the linked website: Look for red flags like spelling mistakes, poor design, or unusual download requests. 
  
  
• Use email scanners: Some scammers send malicious QR Codes via email, so use email scanning solutions to protect yourself. These tools inspect and identify potentially malicious emails in your inbox, minimizing the risk of scanning unsafe codes. 
  
  
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Encourage employees and customers to secure their accounts with MFA to reduce the impact of quishing if they inadvertently share sensitive information. 
  
  
• Report fraudulent QR Codes: Encourage audiences to report fake QR Codes to the business being impersonated and cybercrime units like the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). 

What QR Code creators can do to minimize cybersecurity risks

Unfortunately, QR Code creators can’t prevent cybercriminals from creating fake QR Codes. But that doesn’t mean you’re completely helpless. There’s a lot you can do to protect your audience from QR Code phishing attacks, including:

• Educating: Regularly provide tips on how to spot and avoid quishing scams. This is crucial if you use QR Codes often, as some people may lower their guard when they come across codes masquerading as yours. 
  
  
• Adding brand elements: Distinguish your codes by customizing them with your brand’s colors and logo. 
  
  
• Communicating known scams: If some of your customers have fallen victim to quishing scams, raise awareness by letting your audience know how and where the attacks occurred to reinforce trust and transparency.
  
  
• Conducting QR Code testing: Scan your codes to confirm they direct audiences to the right destinations. Regular testing can help you identify when scammers replace legitimate QR Codes with fake ones. 

Create and customize QR Codes that your scanners can trust

Quishing attacks are on the rise and can result in financial loss, a damaged brand reputation, and operational disruptions. To protect yourself from these scams, brand your QR Codes so they’re clearly identifiable as yours and educate employees and customers on how to spot and report fake codes. 

With QR Code Generator PRO, you can help protect audiences from quishing by customizing your QR Codes with your branding. The platform offers extensive QR Code customization capabilities, allowing you to choose unique frames and patterns and even add your logo and brand colors. 

Your codes will stand out as uniquely yours, reducing the risk of audiences falling victim to scammers pretending to be you. 

Sign up for QR Code Generator PRO to help protect your audience with custom QR Codes!