QR codes have become increasingly popular since the COVID-19 pandemic, which has multiplied their use in the form of paperless menus or bills.
But with the convenience and efficiency of scannable codes comes a threat: they also make customers vulnerable.
As cybersecurity experts Check Point reported a 587% increase in QR phishing, or “quishing,” the Federal Trade Commission has also issued a warning to consumers who may be putting their personal information at risk.
Cybercriminals may mask legitimate QR codes — also known as “quick response” codes traditionally found as a combination of white and black pixels that direct a scanner to a website — with their own code that sends the scanner to a fake site that then steals personal information or install malware.
Fake codes can be found in public places, such as parking meters, or can be sent via text or email claiming there is suspicious activity on the account or package delivery issues.
The coronavirus pandemic is proliferating the use of QR codes, which provide a way for consumers to view menus, pay bills and fill out forms completely paperless. Adobe stock
“They want you to scan QR codes and open URLs without thinking about it,” the FTC warned in a blog post on Wednesday.
To protect yourself, the FTC advises checking URLs before opening them to make sure they haven’t been spoofed with misspellings or letter swaps.
The agency also recommends not opening QR codes from unexpected communications — such as instant messages indicating issues with the account — and keeping your phone updated and two-factor authentication enabled.
The FTC warns the public not to scan random QR codes and to be suspicious of unsolicited communications that contain them. Adobe stock
A September blog post from the Federal Bureau of Investigation also urged users to be skeptical and “suspicious” of QR codes that, after scanning, ask for login information, and further warned against scanning codes that appear “tampered with.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
