Beware of QR codes. You can easily lose money when paying through them – Communication – Science and technology

We already use QR codes to order in restaurants, pay in parking lots and find out information about various products. However, they can be easily abused

QR codes can be misused extremely easily.

QR codes are a very easy way to access certain information, order in a restaurant, pay a parking fee or a bill. However, these codes are also very easy to exploit. You can usually find legitimate QR codes in tourist places where people often look for refreshments, souvenirs or fun attractions, but the attractiveness of these places also attracts fraudsters.

Therefore, the National Security Agency reminds that fraudsters create them with the aim of tricking people – into visiting fraudulent websites or downloading malicious software, thanks to which they will be able to obtain their personal information. How do they do it?

They cover (for example, paste over) official QR codes with fake ones. When you scan them, they redirect you to a fraudulent site, which you may not notice. They can also place such fake QR codes in places with official ones to make them look genuine – for example in the form of flyers or business cards or Or they will send you a QR code via email or text message under the pretense that they are for example from delivery companies or you they ask to confirm your data due to suspicious activity on your account – of course you have a fraudulent QR code to scan. They can also place fake QR codes on ads on social networks – for example, when advertising huge discounts, which you definitely need to know more about.

How to protect yourself from QR scams?

Check the source: Don’t be afraid to ask – for example, if you’re in a restaurant that provides their menu via QR code, feel free to ask the waiter to bring you a physical menu or tell you what they have on offer. Look where the QR code wants to redirect you. If you see a suspicious page (such as a shortened URL or a URL that doesn’t match the name of the page you’re supposed to be redirected to), don’t open it and search for the information you want to get to through your browser.

Check the QR code: Focus especially on whether someone has pasted the original code. If it looks suspicious, don’t use it.

Beware of unsolicited QR codes: Ignoring junk email? Also ignore unsolicited QR codes. Only scan what you are sure of. Beware of codes from unknown sources.

Beware of attempts to create false urgency: Scammers often want to make you feel like you have to react immediately. Attackers can also use your emotional or physical state to make you want to scan a QR code.