{"id":216,"date":"2024-05-11T20:22:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-11T20:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qr.io\/blog\/?p=216"},"modified":"2024-07-19T12:46:15","modified_gmt":"2024-07-19T12:46:15","slug":"beware-why-you-should-not-scan-any-random-qr-code","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/qr.io\/blog\/beware-why-you-should-not-scan-any-random-qr-code\/","title":{"rendered":"Beware: Why You Should not Scan Any Random QR Code"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/qr.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/random-qr-code-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"A random QR code stuck on a traffic light post in a crowded street\" class=\"wp-image-710\" srcset=\"https:\/\/qr.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/random-qr-code-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/qr.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/random-qr-code-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/qr.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/random-qr-code-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/qr.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/random-qr-code.jpeg 1150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\"><em>QR codes are an amazing tool, offering satisfying flexibility and convenience when it comes to data and information sharing. But be careful when you scan a random QR code outside.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">When you use a QR code generator to create a <a href=\"https:\/\/qr.io\/blog\/what-is-a-qr-code-and-how-can-you-create-one\/(opens in a new tab)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">QR code<\/a>, the possibilities are limitless. You can generate QR codes to call phone numbers, share an image, open an app, redirect to URLs, or <a href=\"https:\/\/qr.io\/blog\/qr-code-text-message-sending-sms-with-one-scan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">send an SMS<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">But scanning a quick response code out of context or not being cautious out there <strong>can spawn some<\/strong> <strong>undesirable consequences<\/strong> that can threaten your cybersecurity. How so? Let&#8217;s take a look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><h2 class=\"simpletoc-title\">Table of Contents<\/h2>\n<style>html { scroll-behavior: smooth; }<\/style><ul class=\"simpletoc-list\" style=\"padding-left:0;list-style:none;\">\n<li><a href=\"#dangers-of-a-random-qr-code\">Dangers of a Random QR Code<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#random-qr-code-quishing\">Random QR Code &#8211; Quishing<\/a>\n\n\n<ul><li>\n<a href=\"#how-does-quishing-work\">How Does Quishing Work?<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<li><a href=\"#fraudulent-details\">Fraudulent Details<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#safety-recommendations-out-there\">Safety Recommendations Out There<\/a>\n\n\n<ul><li>\n<a href=\"#check-the-app\">Check the App<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#random-qr-codesupplanted-qr-code\">Random QR Code\/Supplanted QR Code<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#automatic-function\">Automatic Function<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#fake-urls\">Fake URLs<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#financial-security\">Financial Security<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#smartphone-care\">Smartphone Care<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<li><a href=\"#faqs\">FAQs<\/a>\n\n\n<ul><li>\n<a href=\"#can-you-get-scammed-with-a-random-qr-code\">Can you get scammed with a random QR code?<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#should-i-stop-scanning-qr-codes\">Should I stop scanning QR codes?<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<li><a href=\"#wrapup\">Wrap-Up<\/a>\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1f30f65323c16465f78c2bca0831c25b\" id=\"dangers-of-a-random-qr-code\">Dangers of a Random QR Code<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">Amid the pandemic, the use of QR codes skyrocketed among people and businesses. According to a study by&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/emarketer.com\" target=\"_blank\">emarketer.com<\/a>, the number of smartphone users scanning a QR code in the US is set to grow from 83.4 million this year to 99.5 million in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">Scammers have taken advantage of this soaring growth to create QR codes that send people to fraudulent websites. Once there, they try to <strong>steal confidential information such as banking usernames and passwords.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">One recent example is drivers at pay-to-park kiosks in several cities in Texas. Scammers placed stickers with fake QR codes on the pay stations, so drivers who scanned them were sent to a webpage that prompted them to type their credit card or bank account data.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-bb53f6470548aea32ab49be3b152dcc9\" id=\"random-qr-code-quishing\">Random QR Code &#8211; Quishing<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">This impersonation through QR codes is known as <a href=\"https:\/\/qr.io\/blog\/quishing-alert-how-to-spot-and-thwart-qr-code-phishing-scams\/\">quishing<\/a>, which is a combination of the words QR and phishing.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7ee0437f8687dbeb5ee4d9427c1cfc61\" id=\"how-does-quishing-work\">How Does Quishing Work?<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">Like the situation described above, scammers place QR code stickers on top of legitimate QR codes used in all types of businesses such as restaurants, shopping malls, or general businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">The goal is to <strong>redirect potential victims to fraudulent websites to request sensitive data<\/strong> or ask them to download malicious software to infect their mobile device.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8cdb2603a97b1148a7fcf70f6d114abf\" id=\"fraudulent-details\">Fraudulent Details<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">By clicking on these pop-ups, cybercriminals redirect a user to disguised fraudulent pages. These pages scare users with supposed computer problems and redirect them to a fake program download page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">Both modalities of scanning a QR code also combine social engineering \u2014used by scammers\u2014 to get users to provide their confidential information. <strong>The victim can receive the code through messages or emails, reinforced with fraudulent calls<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-23b0926a8a695069d04f259b1f72eb03\" id=\"safety-recommendations-out-there\">Safety Recommendations Out There<\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"547\" src=\"https:\/\/qr.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/random-qr-code-1.jpeg\" alt=\"Random QR codes printed on a billboard on the street\" class=\"wp-image-712\" srcset=\"https:\/\/qr.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/random-qr-code-1.jpeg 700w, https:\/\/qr.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/random-qr-code-1-300x234.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">We provide you with some key essential recommendations that when put into effect, will steer you away from scams and let you enjoy the perks of the great QR code technology.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c666ed9cf95982684ecdf9e60c14c71c\" id=\"check-the-app\">Check the App<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"letter-spacing:px\">Whenever you scan a QR code, make sure you use an app that allows you to view the link of the page to which it redirects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"letter-spacing:px\">The purpose of this action is to <strong>avoid visiting an unknown website<\/strong> or whose domain does not correspond to the one the QR code should send to.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-dde5c0ffe709a22c7fb63df59c78bb00\" id=\"random-qr-codesupplanted-qr-code\">Random QR Code\/Supplanted QR Code<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">Before you scan a printed QR, always check that the QR code is not a sticker pasted over a real one. This could happen at restaurants where criminals stick a fake code on the menu.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-65e97df9e26e3c6ea61500ca07546081\" id=\"automatic-function\">Automatic Function<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\"><strong>Disable the automatic opening of links <\/strong>when scanning a QR code. This will prevent you from being redirected straightaway to dangerous websites.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cdfa2de075167197f04cd0e2c7604026\" id=\"fake-urls\">Fake URLs<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">Always check that the URL or website you intend to visit has the correct link. People type a few words of the web address they&#8217;re looking for and sometimes don&#8217;t verify everything that follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">The search might take<strong> you to a page that has been supplanted by one created by a criminal<\/strong>, which is also identical to the one you wish to be redirected to.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-acb279cd740d051af7557b9db5a8fbd0\" id=\"financial-security\">Financial Security<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">Do not disclose your financial activity on QR codes on social networks, and <strong>always trust those codes by reputed financial institutions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cd3ce540d4bccb4dc8266d68b8004e81\" id=\"smartphone-care\">Smartphone Care<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">Always try to keep antivirus protection activated on your device. This will save you against malware and other threats that can infect your phone and steal critical information.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-524384ef7a4a11742df2d054208e3870\" id=\"faqs\">FAQs<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e15c4cec86f326ec9a8dea45668bada0\" id=\"can-you-get-scammed-with-a-random-qr-code\">Can you get scammed with a random QR code?<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">According to the FBI, <strong>a QR scam is done via modified printed or on-screen QR codes<\/strong>. When a user scans it, the altered code sends them to a \u201cmalicious site\u201d that requests them to enter banking credentials and financial information.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7b5a34b6c98656afa3a04a0edc2bf877\" id=\"should-i-stop-scanning-qr-codes\">Should I stop scanning QR codes?<\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"634\" src=\"https:\/\/qr.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/random-qr-code-3.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-713\" style=\"width:755px;height:503px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/qr.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/random-qr-code-3.jpeg 950w, https:\/\/qr.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/random-qr-code-3-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/qr.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/random-qr-code-3-768x513.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">Absolutely not. QR codes themselves are not a threat to your data security. <strong>You can scan QR codes from reputed businesses and brands<\/strong>, but always be aware of the recommendations provided above.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-99ee80b7135cde494f9fc389547b43da\" id=\"wrapup\">Wrap-Up<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">It&#8217;s great that you can generate a QR code for free at <a href=\"http:\/\/QR.io\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">QR.io<\/a>, but it is also very important to keep an eye on its <a href=\"https:\/\/qr.io\/blog\/beware-why-you-should-not-scan-any-random-qr-code\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">safest use<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">Bearing in mind the aforementioned considerations and tips will allow you to get the best out of the QR code experience <strong>without risking losing your personal data and financial information<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>QR codes are an amazing tool, offering satisfying flexibility and convenience when it comes to data and information sharing. But [&hellip;]<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":218,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[40,15,42,41],"class_list":["post-216","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-qr-code-world","tag-cybersecurity","tag-quishing","tag-safety","tag-scams"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Beware: Why You Should not Scan Any Random QR Code<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"QR codes are an amazing tool. But be careful! 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