![]() See the Top Vulnerability Management Tools Hacking with Malicious QR Codes Hackers can use sneaky techniques like QRL hijacking to initialize a QR session, clone the QR code, and redirect the victims to a phishing page, allowing attackers to ultimately steal access. While this makes logging in to websites quick and easy, poor implementation, such as not regenerating QR codes each time a user logs in, creates vulnerabilities. Rather than typing in your name and password, you scan a QR code. QR logins (QRLs) are QR-code-based authentication methods designed to improve users’ login experiences. ![]() And since QR codes can’t be read by humans, users won’t be able to identify malicious codes, which bad actors can use in place of legitimate codes. Counterfeit Codesīecause QR codes can open links automatically, hackers can use them to redirect users to forged websites and thus improve the success rate of their phishing campaigns, for example. While QR codes offer a great way to store and access information, they come with a fair amount of risk. The above example only uses simple text, but you can open links and add contact cards, so users only have to scan your QR code to browse a website or save your contact information on their devices. For example, in Python, you can use the QRcode package to make custom QR codes: Image: pip install qrcode & qr “Hello, esecurityPlanet” ![]() QR code readers will read your information in 8-bit blocks, a specific character set used during encoding and decoding.ĭespite how complex they may seem, QR codes are relatively easy to generate. In fact, only a tiny part of the QR code contains your information, and a mathematical algorithm is applied to make it redundant. The three squares in the generated image determine the alignment, and many areas are just internal parameters QR code readers use to calibrate. While to humans, they may seem like an odd connection of black pixels on a white background, the format is remarkably readable for machines.Ĭomputers understand QR codes as matrices of 0 for the white spaces and 1 for the colored spaces, but as it’s not a human-readable format, it’s neither a left-to-right nor a top-to-bottom order. Technically speaking, a QR code is similar to a barcode, but it usually carries more information. Here’s how QR codes work, how hackers can use them against you, and how to defend yourself and your organization. And like other authentication technology, it’s also attracted the attention of hackers looking to exploit any weaknesses just last month, the FBI warned about potential misuse of QR codes. QR technology isn’t new, and security features like two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) often invite users to generate such codes to secure their access to mobile apps. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, for example, governments have recently implemented QR codes to create Digital COVID Certificates for vaccination, tests status and other reasons. Quick response (QR) codes are a convenient format for storing all kinds of information in a readable and secure way, at least when correctly implemented.
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