QUISHING

What Does QUISHING Meant?

Quick Answer

Quishing refers to a type of cyber attack where malicious actors use QR (Quick Response) codes to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information or downloading malware. The term combines the technology of QR codes with the deceptive practices of phishing.

More Details

Origins

QR codes were invented in 1994 by the Japanese company Denso Wave to track vehicles during manufacturing. They have since become widely used for various purposes, including marketing, payments, and information sharing. Phishing is a well-established cyber attack method that involves tricking individuals into providing personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity. The concept of quishing emerged as QR codes became more prevalent in everyday life, particularly with the rise of mobile devices capable of scanning them. Cybercriminals saw an opportunity to exploit this technology for malicious purposes.

Common Threats

Quishing attacks can occur in various contexts, including:

• Public Spaces: Malicious QR codes can be placed in public areas, such as on posters, flyers, or even stickers on parking meters. Unsuspecting individuals who scan these codes may be directed to phishing websites or prompted to download malicious apps.
• Emails and Messages: Attackers may send emails or messages containing QR codes that appear to be from legitimate sources, such as banks or service providers. Scanning the code could lead the victim to a fake login page designed to steal credentials.
• Events and Conferences: At events, QR codes are often used for registration, accessing information, or networking. Attackers could distribute fake QR codes to harvest personal information or spread malware.
• Retail, Hospitality and Payments: With the increasing use of QR codes for payments and to download menus in restaurants and cafeterias, attackers might create fake QR codes to steal financial information.

Prevention

To protect against quishing users should:

• Verify Sources: Only scan QR codes from trusted sources.
• Use Security Software: Ensure mobile devices have security software that can detect malicious links.
• Check URLs: After scanning a QR code, check the URL before entering any information or downloading anything.
• Be Cautious: Be wary of QR codes in unexpected places or from unsolicited messages.

Image for QUISHING

Quishing uses QR codes to deceive victims.

Summary of Key Points

Quishing
Definition:	QR Code Phishing
Type:	Word
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults

An Academic Look at Quishing

Quishing can also be considered a neologism (i.e., a newly coined word or term which has emerged into everyday usage). Some neologisms are formally accepted into mainstream language (at which point, they cease to be neologisms), and some wither until they can longer be considered everyday terms. A neologism can be a completely new word (e.g., "oversharing"), a new combination of existing words (e.g., "digital detox"), or a new meaning for an existing word (e.g., "sick").

Example of Quishing Used in a Text

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