The Emerging Threat of Quishing (QR Code Hijacking)
“Scan this QR code to order your food.” “Scan here to contact us.” “Scan this code to pay for your parking.” we see these types of messages all the time, we even use them in our own printed signs and banners (just look at our driveway board at Castle Park). Over the past decade, QR Codes have become a common part of everyday life, providing convenience in everything from contactless payments to website access or ordering food to your table at a restaurant, or even on a train. However, this technology also opens doors for cyber criminals to use these for malicious purposes. One emerging threat that businesses need to be aware of is QR code hijacking, also known as “QRLjacking” or "Quishing". Understanding this threat, and knowing how to protect yourself and your business against these emerging threats, is essential to maintaining a comprehensive cyber security strategy.
What is Quishing (QR Code Hijacking/QRLjacking)?
QR code hijacking, otherwise known as Quishing or QR Code Phishing, occurs when a legitimate QR code is tampered with, where cyber criminals swap the original QR code with a fake one, directing users to a potentially harmful website, capturing information, or automatically downloading malware onto user devices.
QRLjacking (Quick Response Code Login Jacking) takes this threat a step further. Many businesses now use QR codes as part of the sales process, allowing users to log in by scanning a code to purchase items, order food, activate EV charging and much more. QRLjacking/Quishing exploits this by tricking users into scanning a malicious QR code, guiding users to websites to capture their information, login details, stealing bank card information and much more.
How Does QR Code Hijacking Work?
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how Quishing/QRLjacking typically works:
- Creation of a fake QR code: Attackers generate a fake QR code that mimics a legitimate service, even branding them with company logos and colours.
- Deployment of the QR code: The fake code is distributed, by replacing legitimate ones in public spaces, this can be as easy as placing a sticker over an existing QR code, completely replacing signs, or putting up new fake signs designed to deceive users.
- User scans the fake QR code: The victim, thinking the QR code is genuine, scans it with their smartphone or another device.
- Credentials or data are stolen: The malicious code then directs the user to a phishing website that looks authentic to capture credentials, personal details, or card credentials.
The Impact on Businesses
For businesses, the risks are significant. Successful QRLjacking/Quishing Attacks can result in:
- Loss of trust: If customers fall victim to an attack involving your business, it can lead to a loss of reputation.
- Monetary loss: The costs of a breach, from regulatory fines to potential lawsuits, can be substantial.
- Operational disruption: A compromised system can lead to downtime or even a complete halt in business operations.
- Data breaches: Attackers gain access to company systems, potentially exposing sensitive customer or financial data.
How can businesses stay protected?
Businesses need to adopt proactive measures to safeguard their operations and their customers from QR code hijacking and QRLjacking. Here’s how:
Educate Employees and Customers: Businesses should provide cyber security training that includes awareness of QR code threats. Employees should be taught to verify the legitimacy of a QR code before scanning it, especially in public spaces or in communications where codes are embedded. Similarly, customers should be informed to be cautious when scanning QR codes, particularly from emails or unfamiliar sources.
Edge & Web Gateway Protection: Solutions such as SASE & Web Gateway protection are able to monitor websites that you are visiting from any device registered under your company policy, monitoring for the legitimacy of websites, even monitoring if web forms are designed to capture your personal information. Complete the form below to speak with us about SASE as part of your business cyber security strategy.
Secure QR Code Distribution: Ensure QR codes are distributed through secure and trusted channels. If your business uses QR codes for payments, login authentication, or marketing, ensure that codes are only available on official platforms, whether it's a physical location or online.
Monitor for Unauthorised QR Code Changes: Regularly audit QR codes in both digital and physical spaces. In physical environments, such as marketing materials, codes could be swapped out for malicious ones without anyone noticing. Regular monitoring can help ensure that your codes have not been tampered with.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Multi-factor authentication provides an extra layer of protection for your online accounts in the event that a Quishing/QRLjacking attack does occur. Even if login credentials are stolen, MFA can prevent attackers from gaining full access to an account without a secondary form of verification.
Use URL Validation Techniques: When a user scans a QR code, ensure that their device performs a check on the destination URL before taking any action. URL validation can help detect phishing websites and block users from accessing harmful destinations.
Use QR Code Management Platforms: Businesses can use QR code management platforms that provide additional layers of security, such as encryption, expiration times, and monitoring for unusual scanning behaviour. These tools help track when and where QR codes are used, adding a level of transparency and control.
Why Protection is Essential to a Cyber Security Strategy
Cyber criminals are constantly looking for new ways to exploit vulnerabilities. As QR codes become a more popular tool for businesses, they also become a more attractive target for attacks. Including QR code security as part of a broader cyber security strategy is critical for several reasons:
Threat landscape: Cyber security is no longer limited to traditional hacking methods. Social engineering and attacks like Quishing/QRLjacking represent a shift in tactics, where attackers focus on everyday technologies.
Customer trust and compliance: As businesses handle more sensitive customer data, complying with regulations such as GDPR becomes paramount. Protecting QR code processes helps ensure that your company remains compliant and avoids the penalties of a data breach.
Monetary security: The financial ramifications of a breach, including direct losses, regulatory fines, and reputational damage, can be devastating. Protecting against QR code hijacking is an important measure in reducing the risk of such incidents.
QR code hijacking (Quishing) and QRLjacking represents a real threats to businesses. We recommend that businesses that integrate QR code security into their broader cyber security strategies are better positioned to defend against these attacks. Through education, monitoring, secure QR distribution, and enhanced login authentication processes, companies can stay ahead of these evolving risks and continue to provide secure services for their customers.