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4 Ways to Stay Protected Against Quishing

QR codes are very efficient and convenient and will likely not be going away from our daily lives. For that reason, it’s a good idea to brush up on a few best practices for QR code scanning:

1. Think before you scan

Before you scan a code, think about the situation. Is it a typical QR code application? Does it make sense for a business to rely on one instead of simply displaying a URL? Is the code present in a business or institution you know or trust? Does this business usually rely on QR codes?

If you are unsure about any of these questions, it’s probably a good idea to hold off scanning the code and typing in the URL to find the content you’re looking for. It only takes a few more seconds, and it’s much safer to do.

2. Only scan trusted QR codes

Just like you wouldn’t visit a URL that seems fishy, you shouldn’t scan a QR code without knowing exactly where it’s taking you. QR codes are often displayed in public spaces, which makes them easy to modify.

Before scanning a QR code, always check if it seems to have been tampered with or if a sticker has been applied over the original document.

3. Use a secure QR code scanning app

Most camera smartphone apps can now scan and open QR codes. However, most of them lack basic security features for this capability. Download a dedicated QR code scanning app from a reputable company for this specific purpose.

These apps come equipped with features like URL preview before thoroughly scanning the code and warning messages if the URL seems fraudulent.

4. Use mobile security apps

As smartphones have become ubiquitous, hackers have increased their efforts to hack them. In fact, smartphones are now more likely to be hacked than computers because most people have little or no cyber security measures on their phones.

Even without the fear of quishing, it’s a good idea to download a mobile security app to your smartphone to be alerted of fraudulent URLs, downloads, and other suspicious activity so you can catch it before it does serious damage to your device.

Understanding and Mitigating Quishing Risks

As the world relies on internet connectivity more than ever, QR codes will only become a bigger part of our lives in the coming years. If users aren’t informed about the risks they pose, this technology is sure to become a significant commonplace cyber threat.

While the growth of mobile devices has benefited individuals and businesses alike, the omnipresence of this technology must be backed with renewed cyber security awareness training. Malicious QR codes are only one of the symptoms of the increased reliance on mobile devices worldwide.