Cybercriminals Tampering with QR Codes
Think Twice About Scanning a QR Scan Code — It Might Be Fake
Straight from the FBI, a warning that “cybercriminals are generating QR scan codes that direct you to malicious websites.”
Cybercriminals tamper with both digital and physical QR codes to replace legitimate codes with malicious codes. A victim scans what they think to be a legitimate code, but the tampered code directs victims to a malicious site, which prompts them to enter login and financial information. Access to this victim information gives the cybercriminal the ability to potentially steal funds through victim accounts.
QR Codes
QR (Quick Response) codes have seen a rise since the Covid pandemic. A person can “scan” a code for everything from providing quick access to a website, download of an application, even order from a menu.
That square barcode that a smartphone camera can access may just be letting others access your accounts.
You could give the cybercriminal access to your funds or other information that can be compromised just by scanning the code.
However, there are a few precautions the FBI recommends you follow that can reduce your chances of falling victim to this scam:
