QR code phishing!

The dreadful Covid-19 pandemic brought with itself many revolutionary changes across
the globe. The most scaring part of the disease is that it is contagious. The graph structure
of the disease witnessed unruly upsurge day by day which forced the governments as well
as the people to adopt strict protective measures.

As a part of the strict protective regime governments across the world encouraged digital
modes of payment. Throughout this situation the instantly recognizable and universally
readable by virtually all modern smart-phone cameras, the Quick Response (QR) Code
has been instrumental in engaging customers and in helping keep them safe.

A QR (Quick Response) code is a two-dimensional barcode which emerged as

convenient way to promote contactless Technology. It was invented by a Japanese
engineer in 1994 and was originally used to better track car parts across the automotive
supply chain. 

The pandemic has necessitated us to lean on ‘contactless everything’ which has given
the use of QR codes new twists and turns. In the wake of a global pandemic, QR codes
hold even more potential as they have become an essential and welcomed tool in people’s
life. In many ways, the rise in QR code use due to the pandemic has not just increased
customers’ use of the technology but also forced a level of adoption.

The pandemic has jolted the use of QR codes in various countries like U.K., India, China
and Japan. While there is a whole lot employing this technology, majority of them are
oblivious to fraudulent ones. Hence Consumer awareness around the safety and security
of QR codes is also essential.

Scammers have found new creative ways of deception which has evolved the new kind
of cyber fraud known as QR Code Phishing.

The online fraudsters have developed several variations of QR code click jacking. They
substitute real QR codes with bogus ones and send people texts which are customized in
such a way as to make them urge to scan the QR code. Gullible targets fall prey to this
scam and end up losing their earnings.

There is no method to read what’s inside the QR code which is endangering for the users.
The fraudsters can pose as sellers on sites or as army officials, BSF, CISF, or impersonate
any brand name and dupe buyers by asking them to pay in advance.

A forged QR code also connects to Wi-Fi network or automatically navigates to a

malicious link where malware is automatically downloaded and steals sensitive
information from your device.
Another tactic is by embedding fake QR codes into a phishing email, text, or via social
media which ultimately land up receivers to fraudulent websites. Hence it is best to pay
using these, only in secure and familiar environments.

In view of the increasing QR phishing scams, Paytm’s founder issued a warning earlier
this year to its users and urged them to not believe such fraudulent messages.

Users cannot immediately see where the link is going to lead them which offer the
criminals the chance to abuse the technology. Hence it is always advised that with the
increasing dependency on the advanced technology, people should make themselves
equipped and aware of its safe and secure use.