Phishing Gets “Quished” — Even Experts Are Falling For It

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You’ve probably heard of phishing - those sketchy emails pretending to be from your bank, your boss, or a distant prince who wants to share his fortune with you. But there’s a new twist making waves in the cybersecurity world — it’s called “quishing.”

The word comes from combining QR codes with phishing. And believe it or not, this sneaky scam is catching even the so-called pros off guard.

What Exactly Is Quishing - Quishing works like this:

Scammers send you a QR code in an email, text, or even printed flyer.

You scan it thinking you’re headed to a legitimate site.

Instead, it takes you to a malicious page designed to steal your login details, financial info, or other personal data.

In other words, it’s the same con job as old-school phishing—but dressed up with a trendy black-and-white square that everyone’s gotten used to scanning at restaurants, events, and even doctor’s offices.

Here’s the kicker - during an anti-fraud conference in Singapore, more than 50 security professionals fell for a staged quishing scam.

That’s right - The very people warning the world about scams were duped by one. They scanned a conference QR code that looked routine but was actually a test designed to show how easily people can be tricked. If the pros can stumble, the rest of us definitely need to be on guard.

Why Quishing Works So Well

Habit - We’re now conditioned to trust and scan QR codes everywhere.

Obscurity - Unlike links, you can’t “hover” over a QR code to preview where it goes.

False legitimacy - A QR code slapped onto a real poster, email, or even a receipt looks official.

Scammers are simply piggybacking on the trust QR codes have earned during the pandemic boom.

How to Defend Yourself Against Quishing

The good news - You don’t need a cybersecurity degree to protect yourself - Just a little common sense goes a long way:

Pause before scanning - If a QR code arrives unexpectedly or seems urgent, be suspicious.

Check the source - Is it from a trusted sender - If not, don’t scan.

Preview links - Many phones now show the destination URL after scanning but before opening - Read it carefully.

Use MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) - Even if scammers grab your password, they can’t log in without that second verification step.

Install a mobile security app - Some can block malicious links even if you click by mistake.

Why This Matters to Everyone — Especially Seniors

Quishing is dangerous because it looks friendly and low-tech. Seniors are particularly at risk since they’re being asked to use QR codes for banking, healthcare, and payments. 

But the conference example proved that no one is immune—even security experts can be tricked.

That’s why awareness is the first and most powerful defense.

Bottom Line - Phishing has evolved, and now it’s got a QR-code disguise. The fact that experts fell for it proves how convincing quishing can be. But with a few precautions and a healthy dose of skepticism, you can stay one step ahead.

Stay safe, stay secure and the next time someone hands you a QR code—whether it’s on a menu, a flyer, or even at a “cybersecurity” event—remember - think before you scan.

(AI was used to aid in the creation of this article.)

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