Quishing vs. Phishing: What Is the Difference?

What Is Quishing?

Quishing, a portmanteau of 'QR code' and 'phishing,' is a form of cyberattack utilizing QR codes to deceive individuals into divulging personal or financial information. In quishing attacks, QR codes are tampered with or replaced by malicious ones. When scanned, these codes redirect the victim to fraudulent websites or automatically trigger downloads of malware. The deceptive QR codes may be physically placed in public spaces or digitally inserted in emails or websites.

Unlike traditional phishing, quishing exploits the growing reliance on QR codes for information sharing and transactions. The success of quishing relies on the victim's trust in QR codes as a safe tool, along with a lack of awareness about the potential risks associated with scanning unknown QR codes. Cybercriminals exploit this trust, using quishing as a gateway to access personal data, install malware, or direct users to phishing websites.

What Is Phishing? 

Phishing, a more established form of cyber attack, involves tricking individuals through deceitful emails, texts, or websites into revealing personal or financial information. Phishing attackers often impersonate trusted entities, using well-crafted messages to persuade victims to provide sensitive data. The success of phishing depends on the victim's inability to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent communication, often exploiting trust in familiar logos or authority figures.

Phishing can manifest in various forms, such as spear phishing (targeted attacks) and whaling (aimed at high-level executives). Regardless of the technique, the ultimate goal is to illicitly obtain sensitive information.

Key Differences Between Quishing and Phishing

Communication Channel

One of the primary distinctions between quishing and phishing lies in their modes of delivery. Quishing operates through the medium of QR codes, which can be physical (like stickers or printed materials) or digital (embedded in emails or webpages). This method exploits the increasing use of QR codes for various purposes, from menus to payments, making it a less susceptible method for the average user. 

On the other hand, phishing traditionally takes advantage of electronic communication channels such as emails, text messages, and sometimes social media messages. The familiarity of these channels often leads users to lower their guard, making them susceptible to phishing attacks.

Deceptive Technique

The deceptive techniques employed in quishing and phishing also differ significantly. Quishing attacks exploit the general perception of QR codes as a secure and convenient technology. Cybercriminals count on the user’s curiosity or the routine nature of scanning QR codes to redirect them to malicious sites or trigger harmful downloads. 

In contrast, phishing attacks rely heavily on the manipulation of trust through the use of fake emails or websites that mimic legitimate organizations. The sophistication of these fake entities can sometimes be enough to trick even the cautious user, as they often replicate the look and feel of authentic sources.

Payload Delivery

A crucial step in combating both quishing and phishing is raising awareness about their existence and modus operandi. For quishing, educating the public about the potential risks associated with scanning QR codes is essential. This includes understanding that QR codes can be tampered with and could lead to malicious sites or downloads. 

On the other hand, phishing awareness should focus on identifying red flags in emails and messages, such as unsolicited requests for personal information, mismatched URLs, and grammatical errors. Regular training sessions and awareness campaigns can significantly reduce the likelihood of falling prey to these attacks.

Detection Difficulty

While both quishing and phishing are challenging to detect, phishing is often easier to identify due to telltale signs like poor grammar, suspicious sender's addresses, or dubious links. Quishing, however, can be more challenging as the victim relies solely on the caller's voice and script, which can be convincingly mimicked.

Phishing Prevention and Mitigation Strategies  

Implement Strong Email Filters to Catch Suspicious Emails

One of the first steps to protecting yourself from phishing attacks is to implement strong email filters. These filters work by scanning incoming emails for suspicious content or behavior. For example, they might flag emails that contain links to dubious websites, or that ask for personal information.

By setting up strong email filters, you can ensure that most phishing emails never reach your inbox in the first place. This significantly reduces the chances of you accidentally clicking on a malicious link or inadvertently providing your personal information to a cybercriminal.

However, no filter is perfect. Some phishing emails might still slip through. Therefore, it's important to always be vigilant and to treat any email that asks for personal information with suspicion.

Use Email Filtering and Anti-Phishing Software

In addition to implementing strong email filters, it's also advisable to use email filtering and anti-phishing software. This software adds an extra layer of protection by scanning your emails for phishing indicators, such as spoofed email addresses, suspicious attachments, and phishing URLs.

Anti-phishing software can also help protect you against more sophisticated phishing attacks, such as spear phishing. In these attacks, cybercriminals target specific individuals or organizations, often using personal information to make the emails seem more legitimate.

Remember, while these tools can greatly reduce your risk of falling victim to a phishing attack, they are not infallible. Always exercise caution when opening emails from unknown senders, and never click on links or download attachments from suspicious emails.

Implement Multi-Factor Authentication

Another effective strategy for combating both phishing and quishing attacks is to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA is a security measure that requires users to provide two or more forms of identification before they can access their accounts. This could involve something you know (like a password), something you have (like a phone), or something you are (like a fingerprint).

By implementing MFA, you can ensure that even if a cybercriminal manages to obtain your password through a phishing or quishing attack, they won't be able to access your account without the additional forms of identification.

MFA is becoming increasingly common, and many online services now offer it as an option. If you're not already using MFA, it's a good idea to start. It's one of the most effective ways to protect your online accounts from unauthorized access.

Quishing Prevention and Mitigation Strategies  

Establish QR Code Verification Procedures

This involves implementing systems that can verify the authenticity of QR codes before they are scanned and accessed. Such verification could include checking the URL encoded in the QR code against a list of known safe websites or using specialized software that assesses the QR code for signs of tampering or malicious intent. 

By instituting a verification process, organizations and individuals can significantly reduce the likelihood of falling victim to quishing attacks. It's a proactive step towards ensuring that only legitimate, safe QR codes are interacted with, thereby safeguarding personal and financial information from cybercriminals.

Implement a QR Code Scanning Policy

Creating and enforcing a QR code scanning policy is another vital strategy to prevent quishing attacks. This policy should outline the dos and don'ts of scanning QR codes, especially in a corporate environment. It might include guidelines such as only scanning QR codes from trusted sources, using a secure QR code scanner app that can check the safety of the link before opening it, and avoiding scanning codes that are unsolicited or found in public places without clear attribution. 

The policy should be communicated to all employees and integrated into the organization's overall cybersecurity training. Educating staff members about the risks associated with quishing and the importance of adhering to the scanning policy is essential for minimizing the threat.

Apply Brand Recognition Strategies (QR Code Branding)

To combat quishing, companies can also apply brand recognition strategies by incorporating QR code branding. This involves customizing QR codes with the company's logo or visual identity, making it easier for users to recognize and trust the authenticity of the code. Branded QR codes are less likely to be tampered with or replaced by malicious ones without raising suspicion. 

Furthermore, users become more cautious when encountering unbranded QR codes, reducing the risk of quishing attacks. This approach not only enhances security but also reinforces the brand's presence in digital and physical spaces, providing a dual benefit of protection and marketing.

I hope this guide will help your organization prepare for the threat of phishing, quishing, and related social engineering attacks.