A QR code is the square, black-and-white pattern you scan with your phone’s camera to quickly open a website or other digital content. QR codes are everywhere: restaurants, parking meters, event registrations, flyers, and even emails. But remember, a QR code is really just a link you cannot easily see before clicking.
Cybercriminals can use malicious QR codes, sometimes called “quishing,” to send you to fake login pages, steal payment information, or trick you into downloading malware. They may even place a fraudulent QR code sticker over a legitimate one in a public location.
Before opening a scanned QR code, check the web address your phone displays. Be especially cautious if the site asks you to log in, enter payment information, or provide sensitive data.
If the QR code supposedly leads to a service you already use, consider opening the official app or website instead.
Think before you click, and now, think before you scan.
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