Did you know that scammers and hackers have found several ways to misuse QR codes for malicious purposes? See examples below: 

Phishing via QR Codes: Just like clicking a harmful link, scanning a malicious QR code can lead to the same risks.

Replacing Legitimate QR Codes: A common trick by cybercriminals is to swap authentic QR codes with fake ones. When these altered codes are scanned, they redirect users to phishing sites or trigger malware downloads.

Email Attacks Using QR Codes: QR codes can be used in emails as part of broader phishing attacks, often bypassing standard email protections. Scanning these codes can lead users into a process where they might unknowingly reveal their personal information or logins.

Financial Scams with QR Codes: With the rising use of QR codes for payments, fraudsters are exploiting this by setting up QR codes that, when scanned for payment, divert funds to the wrong account or even withdraw more money than intended.

Clickjacking with QR Codes: Scammers may use QR codes to direct users to websites that appear legitimate but contain malicious elements. These sites often have clickable content that, when interacted with, can lead to malware being installed on the user’s device or other privacy violations.