England football fans have been urged to be wary of a 'quishing' scam as they gather in pubs to watch the Euro 2024 final against Spain. The duping phenomenon has the potential to be devastating for victims, and it has caught supporters off guard amid scenes of flying beer as fans celebrated achieving Sunday's landmark. In certain places, the scam has already been going on as the national team advanced to the final four.
And now that England has advanced to the final, fans have been warned to keep an eye out for the scam. It employs the now-familiar digital QR codes, but individuals scanning the code with their phones can also be duped into downloading malicious stuff via fake codes.
This is not a new thing, but for fans watching the game in pubs, it can be worrying. It combines 'QR codes' and 'phishing'. Fake QR (quick response) codes could imitate an existing code, leading users to download malicious content. According to Cloudflare, their goal is to collect sensitive information such as passwords, financial data, or personally identifying information (PII). A code might also deceive victims when sent as an email or message.
“Once this sensitive information is captured, attackers can exploit it for various malicious purposes, including identity theft, financial fraud, or ransomware,” Cloudfare added.
QR codes, which emerged during the coronavirus pandemic, were popular as a way to order food or drinks in bars. It may appear harmless, but it means that a once-harmless transaction now involves a possible risk.
Scammers started using QR codes, which operate by inserting instructions within a black and white dot-based graphic, to trick customers. Smartphones, apps, and scanners transform QR codes into information that people can understand. However, the coders usually direct to websites, links to media, or buttons to download an app.
According to TitanHQ, an anti-phishing platform, 84% of smartphone users have scanned a QR code at least once, with more than 34% scanning a QR code once every week. However, the ease with which QR codes are used has enabled criminals to indulge in phishing.
These scams might have varying effects depending on the type, but the consequences can be serious for people who are targeted by scammers. Football fans will likewise be enthusiastic for Sunday's game, and many possibly have a few drinks before watching their team.