What is Quishing? QR Code Phishing Explained

QR codes can be found almost everywhere these days - propped up on restaurant tables instead of menus, tucked into digital ads, printed on billboards, even showing up on utility bills and parking meters. They’re quick, convenient, and efficient. Unfortunately, that same convenience makes them a perfect weapon for cybercriminals.

One of the newer threats taking advantage of this trust is Quishing, sometimes called QR code phishing. It’s a straightforward tactic: attackers use QR codes to lure people into revealing sensitive information or to push malicious downloads onto their devices. Because these codes often slip through email security filters and don’t immediately raise red flags, quishing attacks can be devastating if they succeed.

In this article, we’ll break down how quishing works, why it’s so effective, why it’s becoming increasingly common in the U.S., and what you can do to protect your business.

What is Quishing?

At its core, quishing is simply a phishing attack that uses QR codes as bait. A cybercriminal takes a malicious link and hides it inside a QR code. When the victim scans the code, they’re typically sent to a fake website designed to steal credentials, or they may unknowingly download malware onto their device.

QR codes make this type of attack easier to pull off than you might think. They work like visual hyperlinks: you can’t see where the code leads until you scan it. And unlike a traditional URL in an email, you can’t hover over a QR code to check its destination, which gives attackers a big advantage.

QR codes look like this:

^{This QR code is not malicious and links to the Bulletproof.co.uk homepage}

A few common quishing tactics include:

• Adding a fraudulent QR code to an email that looks like it’s from a trusted brand—think banks, shipping companies, or government agencies.

• Distributing flyers or business cards embedded with malicious codes in public spaces.

• Covering up legitimate QR codes on things like parking meters, menus, or event posters with their own tampered versions.

• Slipping harmful QR codes into social media posts or ads to entice people into scanning them

Why is Quishing So Effective?

Quishing has quickly become a go-to tactic for cybercriminals because it slips past the warning signs most people are trained to look out for. We’ve all been told not to click on suspicious links in emails, but a QR code doesn’t set off the same alarm bells. In fact, they often feel harmless.

There are a few reasons why this approach works so well:

• It bypasses traditional security filters. Most email gateways are designed to analyze links and attachments. A QR code, however, is just an image. Unless your security tools are advanced enough to decode the code and check the URL behind it, a malicious QR code can slide right through.

• It plays on trust. People rarely stop to question a QR code on a restaurant menu, a delivery notice, or a corporate email template. That perceived legitimacy gives attackers the perfect opportunity to plant their trap.

• It targets mobile devices. QR codes are usually scanned with smartphones. While phones are powerful, they often don’t have the same level of endpoint protection as company desktops or laptops, making them easier to exploit.

• It’s quick and effortless. Scanning a QR code takes seconds, which can override a user’s usual caution. When something is that simple, people tend not to think twice before acting.

Who Are Quishing Attacks Aimed At?

Anyone can be tricked by a quishing attack, but businesses are increasingly a prime target. Employees are often the first line of defense, and attackers know that if they can get just one person to scan a malicious QR code, they may be able to gain a foothold in the company’s network.

Once a code is scanned, attackers might:

• Steal corporate login details to access internal systems.

• Deploy ransomware or other types of malware.

• Install remote access software to maintain a backdoor into the network.

• Intercept payments or siphon off sensitive data.

The fallout from a successful quishing attack can be severe. Companies may face unauthorized access to key systems, costly data breaches that expose customer information, regulatory fines, and reputational damage. In many cases, business operations grind to a halt as teams work to contain the intrusion—sometimes resulting in significant financial losses.

Quishing in the U.S.: A Growing Threat

QR codes have become second nature in the U.S. over the past few years. During the pandemic, they were everywhere—replacing menus at restaurants, appearing in marketing campaigns, even showing up on utility bills and parking meters. That widespread adoption has given attackers more opportunities than ever to sneak their malicious codes in front of unsuspecting people.

And it’s working. Security researchers have reported a sharp rise in QR code–based phishing attacks in just the last two years. One reason is that employees are often scanning codes on their own devices, outside the safety of corporate networks and security tools. When that happens, it’s far easier for attackers to slip through defenses without anyone noticing.

How to Protect Your Business from Quishing

There isn’t one single fix for quishing. Instead, you need a layered approach that combines user awareness, smarter technology, and a plan for when something goes wrong. Here’s where to start:

1. Make employees part of the defense.
Security awareness training isn’t just a box to check—it’s one of the best ways to prevent attacks. Help employees understand that QR codes can be dangerous. Encourage them to question codes that show up out of nowhere, look for signs of tampering (like stickers covering the original), and think twice before scanning anything that seems even slightly off.

2. Slow down and verify.
Most smartphones will show you the link behind a QR code before opening it. Train employees to pause and actually read that link. Does it match the company or service it’s claiming to be? If something looks suspicious, they shouldn’t proceed.

3. Secure the devices being used.
Because QR codes are usually scanned with phones, those devices need strong protections. Mobile Device Management (MDM) software can help by enforcing antivirus, keeping apps updated, and blocking unauthorized downloads.

4. Upgrade your email security.
Standard email filters often miss QR codes because they see them as images. Look for security tools that can decode and analyze those codes before they land in an inbox.

5. Require multi-factor authentication (MFA).
If a cybercriminal does steal login credentials, MFA can stop them from using those details to get into your systems. Apply MFA to all critical accounts, not just email.

6. Have a plan for when things go wrong.
Even with precautions, you can’t stop every attack. An incident response plan will help you act fast. Make sure your team knows how to isolate infected devices, reset credentials, and escalate the issue. A quick response can be the difference between a minor scare and a major breach.

How Individuals Can Stay Safe

Employees and individuals alike can follow these best practices to reduce the risk of falling victim to quishing:

• Don’t scan QR codes from untrusted sources.

• Use a QR code scanner app that previews the URL before opening it.

• Avoid entering sensitive information on websites accessed through QR codes unless you’re sure they’re legitimate.

• Report suspicious QR codes to your IT team or security provider.

While both quishing and traditional phishing rely on tricking users into taking harmful actions, the delivery method differs. Traditional phishing typically involves clickable links or attachments, whereas quishing uses QR codes to initiate the attack.

Because QR codes are visual and not easily parsed by security systems, they represent a unique challenge. Many businesses are now adding quishing-specific defenses to their phishing simulation and awareness training programs.