Quishing: The QR Code Scam Every Business Should Watch Out For
At Cloud & More, we’re all about staying ahead of the curve when it comes to protecting businesses from cyber threats. You’ve probably heard of phishing — the classic trick where a cybercriminal dangles a dodgy link or an urgent email in front of you, hoping you’ll take the bait. Well, just when you thought you’d seen it all, here comes quishing, phishing’s sneakier cousin. And trust us, you’ll want to know about it before it slithers into your inbox.
So, what is quishing?
Quishing is a clever twist on the classic phishing scam, but with one big difference — it uses QR codes to trick people. QR codes were once reserved for contactless menus and concert tickets, but cybercriminals have caught on. By embedding malicious links within QR codes, scammers are bypassing the usual defences businesses have in place. You scan it, thinking you’re about to get access to Wi-Fi or view a document, but instead, you’re whisked off to a dodgy website designed to steal your data.
It’s like opening a seemingly innocent birthday present, only to find a jack-in-the-box — except this one could wreak havoc on your business.
Quishing: The QR Code Scam Every Business Should Watch Out For
At Cloud & More, we’re all about staying ahead of the curve when it comes to protecting businesses from cyber threats. You’ve probably heard of phishing — the classic trick where a cybercriminal dangles a dodgy link or an urgent email in front of you, hoping you’ll take the bait. Well, just when you thought you’d seen it all, here comes quishing, phishing’s sneakier cousin. And trust us, you’ll want to know about it before it slithers into your inbox.
How could it affect your business?
Here’s where things get tricky. Many businesses use QR codes for everything from advertising to managing logistics. They’re convenient, easy to use, and get people where they need to go quickly. But that’s exactly why they’re perfect for cybercriminals looking to steal sensitive business data.
Imagine this scenario: You’re running a small consultancy, and your team scans a QR code sent by what appears to be a new client. Maybe it’s an invitation to a shared folder or to register for an event. But instead of accessing something useful, your team is unknowingly handing over login credentials or downloading malware that lets hackers snoop around your systems.
Here’s what could go wrong:
- Malware Infection: You might accidentally download harmful software that gives criminals access to your business data.
- Phishing Attacks: A fake website could ask for sensitive information like passwords or bank details.
- Financial Losses: Scammers might drain your accounts once they have access to your payment details.
- Data Theft: Your private information, from phone numbers to email addresses, could end up in the hands of cybercriminals.
It doesn’t stop there. A sophisticated quishing attack might even target your employees’ personal devices, which are often used for work. Before you know it, your business emails, sensitive documents, and client details could fall into the wrong hands — all from a seemingly harmless QR scan.
Examples of quishing in action
Let’s look at a couple of ways cybercriminals might use quishing to target businesses:
- The fake event invitation: You receive an email inviting you to an industry conference. Everything looks legit, and the QR code leads to a professional-looking landing page. But behind the scenes, the website is designed to steal your login details for a popular work platform like Microsoft 365. Once the criminals have access to your system, they can snoop around, launch ransomware, or even impersonate your business.
- The delivery scam: A lot of businesses rely on deliveries for client orders or office supplies. You get an email about a delivery that couldn’t be made, along with a QR code to
“reschedule.” Your employee scans it to update the delivery time, but instead, they’re sent to a phishing website where they unknowingly giveaway access to your financial systems.
How can businesses protect themselves?
First things first, don’t panic. The good news is that quishing is preventable if you’re proactive about your cybersecurity. Here are a few steps to keep your business safe:
- Educate your team: Regular training on recognising phishing and quishing attempts is crucial. Make sure everyone knows that QR codes can be just as dangerous as email links.
Find out out about Cyber Awareness Training - Use security tools: Equip your business with software that can verify the safety of QR codes and flag potential threats before anyone scans.
- Verify before scanning: If someone sends you a QR code, double-check the source. Is it from a trusted client or supplier? If in doubt, don’t scan it. Legitimate businesses will usually display their name or logo around the code.
- Look for secure URLs: Always check that the link you’re taken to starts with “https://” rather than “http://”. The little padlock icon is your friend.
- Don’t provide sensitive information: No legitimate company will ask for personal or financial details after scanning a QR code.
- Avoid unfamiliar apps: If scanning a QR code prompts you to download an app you’ve never heard of, be cautious — it could be malware.
- Use antivirus software: Make sure your devices have up-to-date security software to help protect against threats.
- Be wary of scams: If something looks too good to be true (free iPhone, anyone?), it probably is.
- Check for tampering: Look closely at the QR code and surroundings. If something seems off, like a sticker placed over the original code, it might be a scam.
FREE Cybersecurity Assessment
Protect your business from cyber threats with a FREE Cybersecurity Assessment from Cloud & More. We’ll help identify vulnerabilities, strengthen your defences, and ensure your data is secure. Don’t wait—book your assessment today and take the first step toward safeguarding your business!
