What is Quishing?
A portmanteau of "QR" and "Phishing", Quishing is a cyberattack where malicious actors use QR codes to bypass traditional security filters and steal sensitive credentials.
The Anatomy of a Quish
Unlike email-based phishing, Quishing is harder for security software to detect. Because the malicious URL is hidden inside an image (the QR pattern), traditional email gateways often let them pass through to your inbox.
- 1The Bait: You receive an email or find a sticker (e.g., "Scan for Parking" or "Update HR Profile").
- 2The Scan: You use your phone's camera, trusting the physical or visual context.
- 3The Hook: The code redirects to a pixel-perfect "clone" of a login page (Office 365, Banking, etc.) to harvest your password.
Redirecting to: bit.ly/secure-login-392...
Redirecting to: https://symbolify.me/...
How to Spot a Quishing Attempt
1. Check for Physical Overlays
In public places like parking meters or restaurant menus, feel the QR code. If it's a sticker covering a printed code, do not scan it.
2. Inspect the URL Preview
Most modern smartphones show a URL preview before you click. Look for misspellings (e.g., "mircosoft.com" instead of "microsoft.com") or strange domains.
3. Question "Urgent" Requests
Be wary of codes that demand immediate action to "unlock an account" or "avoid a fine". This urgency is a hallmark of phishing psychological warfare.
Build Trust, Not Risk
If you are a business owner, learn how to protect your customers from these threats using secure, privacy-first generation practices.