Phishing Has New Bait, QR Codes

QR codes have become a staple in a variety of businesses from restaurants to retail. Through these simple codes, customers can get immediate access to services and/or goods provided by the establishment. Paying your bill? There's a QR code for that. Want to submit a resume? There's a QR code for that. Personal information stolen? Unfortunately yes, there is a QR code for that.

As technology grows and evolves, so do the methods used by scammers and cyber criminals. As the use of QR codes become more prevalent, scammers have come up with methods to use this communication tool to their advantage, most recently by covering up public facing QR codes with their own code. Once someone scans it, the door is open for the scammer to potentially steal personal information or gain access to accounts. The problem now becomes how do you keep yourself and your information safe?

There are signs to look out for when determining the legitimacy of a QR code. Some of the signs that point to a fraudulent code are:

• Inspect the URL before you open the link
  • Make sure you're looking out for misspellings or the previewed URL is unfamiliar
    
• Who sent you the code?
  • Was it sent by a phone number or email you don't recognize? If you were sent the code, be sure to confirm the message you recieved is from a legitimate source before opening any links
• Take Preventative Measures
  
  • Preventative measures are always important when it comes to keeping your accounts and information safe. Be sure to turn on 2-factor authentication and create strong passwords.
    
    

The more our world moves into a digital landscape, the more emphasis there should be on cybersecurity awareness and education. Be sure to not only learn the newest innovations, but also the inherit risks that come with these changes. Having a consistent information source, such as the material and services offered by Advantech, is vital to succeeding in today's digital climate.