{"id":694,"date":"2022-10-04T03:21:29","date_gmt":"2022-10-04T08:21:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vuzevpn.com\/blog\/?p=694"},"modified":"2022-10-04T03:21:29","modified_gmt":"2022-10-04T08:21:29","slug":"are-qr-codes-safe-precautions-and-security-measures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vuzevpn.com\/blog\/are-qr-codes-safe-precautions-and-security-measures\/","title":{"rendered":"Are QR codes safe? Precautions and security measures."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Because of coronavirus pandemic, many businesses attempted to create a contactless experience, choosing solutions like QR codes. We see a lot of restaurants using them to display their menus on smartphones and on receipts, for a contactless payment option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"QR<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For popular apps like Snapchat and WhatsApp, QR codes are an integral part of the user experience. Users can use the codes to log into their account, exchange contact information, or make money transfers. In countries like China, QR codes have become part of the way of life, thanks to apps like WeChat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, this technology carries risks<\/a>. Indeed, QR codes make it easy for scammers to send you phishing links. For starters, there’s no way to know where the code will take you until you scan it. This means that when an employee gets phished on their personal time, for example while going to a restaurant, it will not only affect them personally, but could also compromise their company’s infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a QR code?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The QR code (Quick Response code) is this small square we already see on posters, on flyers, on the front of a shop, in a restaurant or even on train or plane tickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a smartphone, all you have to do is place the lens of your device towards the QR code to see a URL (web address) displayed, inviting you to validate and directly open a web page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a practical tool that makes life easier and avoids typing long addresses. But it can also lead to a cyberthreat, with attacks targeted towards owners of smartphones who are not careful, including professionals who use it to access Internet pages (restaurant menus, direct access to their website, information on products, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What possible attacks with QR codes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

QR codes can point to malicious URLs (addresses of sites, pages, executable software) in an attempt to access data from a smartphone or tablet. It can also involve cyberattacks aimed at opening a phishing site (phishing), a fraudulent technique intended to deceive the Internet user to encourage him to communicate personal data (access accounts, passwords, etc.) and\/or banks by posing as a trusted third party. This is called QRishing<\/a>. It can also lead to a short URL (URL shortener) which then redirects to the malicious URL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other possible malicious actions from a QR code:<\/p>\n\n\n\n