Over the past few years, QR codes have become an everyday convenience—used for menus, payments, logins, and marketing campaigns. But as adoption has grown, so have threats. A new wave of cyberattacks known as quishing attacks—a blend of QR code phishing—has emerged, preying on the trust users place in these simple graphics. These malicious QR codes are cleverly disguised and often delivered through text messages, emails, or even printed materials, tricking users into scanning a QR code that redirects them to a fake site or downloads malware directly to their mobile devices.
What makes qr code phishing attacks particularly dangerous is how they exploit human behavior. Unlike traditional email phishing, quishing is harder to detect, especially when attackers embed a sense of urgency—like expired logins or account verification—in a QR prompt. Once a user scans the QR code and interacts with the malicious site, attackers may harvest sensitive information, steal financial information, or intercept credentials before users can even enable multi factor authentication (MFA).
With more businesses using quick response codes for remote access, payments, and logins, attackers see a growing opportunity to target untrained users. This makes security awareness training more critical than ever—educating employees on why you don’t scan unfamiliar codes, how to recognize social engineering tactics, and what security measures can help protect devices and data.
As quishing continues to evolve, understanding the risks of scanning the QR code—especially in business environments—can mean the difference between staying secure and becoming a victim. In this article, we’ll break down how quishing works, where you’re most likely to encounter it, and how your organization can build defenses before an attacker gains access to critical systems.
How Quishing Attacks Work: Exploiting Trust Through Quick Response Codes
Quishing attacks rely heavily on social engineering—tricking users into taking an action that compromises their security. Instead of clicking suspicious links in emails, victims are prompted to scan QR codes that appear legitimate. These malicious QR codes are often embedded in what looks like official communication. You might receive an email appearing to come from your bank, IT department, or a subscription service, urging you to verify your identity or resolve an issue by scanning the QR code included in the message.
The QR code typically redirects to a spoofed login page where the user is asked to enter sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, or even multi factor authentication (MFA) codes. In other cases, scanning a QR code may trigger a download of malware directly onto mobile devices, allowing attackers to spy on users, log keystrokes, or intercept business communications.
Because QR codes conceal their destination URLs, users often cannot distinguish a legitimate code from a malicious one. Attackers further manipulate this by creating a sense of urgency, stating that your account will be locked, or access will be lost unless immediate action is taken. This pressure makes users less likely to pause and question the legitimacy of the request—especially if the message is delivered via trusted channels like text messages or internal-looking emails.
Organizations must be proactive in teaching staff not only to question unexpected requests but to understand the risks behind everyday actions like scanning a QR code. As with other forms of phishing, the goal is clear: trick the user, bypass security controls, and compromise financial information or systems before safeguards like MFA can stop them.
Common Delivery Methods for Malicious QR Codes
Quishing attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and attackers are constantly exploring new ways to deliver malicious QR codes. One of the most common methods is through text messages, where victims are sent alerts claiming suspicious activity on their bank accounts or packages requiring immediate action. These messages often contain a quick response code that appears urgent, prompting users to scan QR codes without verifying their source.
Another frequent vector is phishing emails, which are crafted to resemble trusted organizations. Users may receive an email that appears to be from Microsoft, a cloud provider, or a subscription platform, instructing them to update credentials, confirm login activity, or validate payment information by scanning the QR code. This strategy is especially dangerous because it bypasses traditional email link filters that scan for malicious URLs—since the QR code contains the link instead of the email text itself.
Printed materials are also a growing concern. Flyers, invoices, or even fake parking tickets placed on cars can include fraudulent QR codes. In some corporate settings, attackers have been known to place rogue QR code stickers over legitimate ones—such as on conference room signs or IT support posters—redirecting users to malicious websites or credential capture pages.
These tactics rely on user trust and fast interaction, making it essential to reinforce policies that encourage verification before scanning. Whether via email, print, or SMS, these threats thrive when users lack security awareness training and fail to recognize the red flags of qr codes in phishing schemes.
Why QR Code Phishing Is So Effective
What makes qr code phishing attacks particularly insidious is their ability to circumvent traditional security defenses and exploit user behavior. Unlike standard phishing emails, which may be flagged by spam filters or firewalls, quishing messages are often allowed through because the threat is embedded in an image—the QR code—rather than a clickable link. This makes detection harder for email security gateways and increases the likelihood that a user will scan qr codes without suspicion.
Additionally, mobile-first behavior plays a major role. Many users scan QR codes using their mobile devices, which are typically less protected than corporate desktops. Mobile platforms may lack the same endpoint detection tools, URL previews, or sandbox environments, giving attackers a better chance to gain access to sensitive information or drop malicious payloads undetected. Combine that with a well-timed sense of urgency, and the odds are stacked in the attacker’s favor.
Psychologically, QR codes carry a sense of convenience and modernity. People are conditioned to interact with them quickly—at restaurants, on packages, or during sign-ins. That conditioning can override cautious behavior, especially when the QR code appears in familiar formats like a utility bill, service notification, or IT ticket.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of quishing attacks lies not just in technical evasion but in exploiting trust and habits. That’s why security measures alone aren’t enough users need context, training, and clear guidelines on what to do (and what don’t scan) when presented with a QR code, especially in unexpected situations.
Conclusion: Strengthening Your Defense Against Quishing
As quishing attacks continue to grow in sophistication, organizations must recognize that the convenience of scanning a QR code can come at a high cost. Whether delivered via text messages, phishing emails, or printed materials, malicious QR codes are designed to manipulate users into handing over sensitive information or bypassing security controls before multi factor authentication (MFA) can intervene.
Mitigating this threat requires a layered approach. Begin with comprehensive security awareness training that educates employees on the risks of qr codes in phishing, including the social engineering tactics that create a false sense of urgency. Pair this with technical security measures—such as mobile endpoint protection, email filtering with image scanning, and URL previewing tools that help users assess QR code destinations safely.
Most importantly, cultivate a workplace culture that questions instead of reacts. Encourage employees to verify before they scan QR codes, especially when they receive an email with a code they weren’t expecting. Remind them that when it comes to unfamiliar QR prompts, it’s okay to think twice—and even better to report it.
In a threat landscape where attackers constantly evolve their methods, understanding and preventing QR code phishing attacks is no longer optional—it’s essential to keeping your users, systems, and financial information secure.
