The Rising Threat of QR Code Phishing: What You Need to Know

As technology advances, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. One of the latest methods they employ is QR code phishing, often referred to as “quishing.” This article explores the dangers of quishing, backed by current statistics and real-life examples that may be pertinent to both our clients and staff.
The Surge in Quishing Attacks
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of QR codes has surged due to their convenience for contactless transactions and information sharing. However, this rise in popularity has also made them an attractive target for cybercriminals. According to the 2024 Phishing Threat Trends Report by Egress, QR code phishing attacks have increased dramatically. In 2021, QR codes were used in only 0.8% of phishing attacks. This figure jumped to 12.4% in 2023 and has stabilized at 10.8% in early 2024 (Egress Email Security).
How Quishing Works
Quishing typically involves embedding malicious QR codes in emails, social media posts, or […]