this post was submitted on 27 Jul 2025
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KEY POINTS

Almost three-quarters of Americans (73%) scan QR codes without verification, and more than 26 million have already been directed to malicious sites, according to NordVPN.

The FTC warned earlier this year about scanning QR codes on unexpected packages.

New York City’s Department of Transportation issued a warning that scammers are posting QR codes on parking meters that are not legitimate payment links.

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[–] echolalia@lemmy.ml 9 points 5 hours ago

I'm confused, isn't this just as risky as seeing a URL in the wild and typing it into your phone? Don't all phones display the URL you are about to visit?

The problem isn't the QR code itself, correct? It's a lack of education, and an incurious public that has no interest in learning about the technology that they depend on.

Seems like a skill issue.

[–] kayzeekayzee@lemmy.blahaj.zone 40 points 11 hours ago (6 children)

I quite dislike the word "quishing"

[–] MadMadBunny@lemmy.ca 2 points 5 hours ago

Took me a while to figure out what it meant, « QR Code Fishing »

[–] vaultdweller013@sh.itjust.works 3 points 6 hours ago

It sounds like an old timey STD, like chlamydia but instead of having the clap ya have the quish. Quick someone help me come up with symptoms, I'm going with necrosis since it can make flesh squishy and that sounds about right for the name.

[–] CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works 16 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

It sounds like the "shart" equivalent but with a queef instead of a fart.

[–] idiomaddict@lemmy.world 1 points 9 hours ago

It describes the water breaking

[–] ook@discuss.tchncs.de 10 points 11 hours ago
[–] Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world 6 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

It sounds like I stepped on a slug.

[–] humorlessrepost@lemmy.world 1 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

On cam. For money.

Or at least for a loot box, if the AI likes you.

[–] adarza@lemmy.ca 21 points 11 hours ago (3 children)

malicious qr codes have always been around. i remember the local news reports of them plastered to store directories at the mall. ya, that long ago.

[–] BakedCatboy@lemmy.ml 21 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago)

I remember going to defcon in 2016 and there was a guy wielding a foam sword with a qr code t-shirt that said "scan me", and when you scanned it and told him it said "arrrr", he'd beat you with the sword while berating you for scanning an untrusted code.

Damn I'm just realizing that was almost 10 years ago

[–] thedruid@lemmy.world 6 points 11 hours ago

Yeah. Took like a day after they were publicly available , lol

[–] nadram@lemmy.world 4 points 11 hours ago

Yup, they were always a terrible idea

[–] Luffy879@lemmy.ml 6 points 10 hours ago

Please note: Le source is le NordVPN

Just saying:

The statistic can not be applied to the wider population, since People who use such Services on a day to day Basis are usually the same ones who believe the lies NordVPN is throwing at them.

It would be like going to a ecstasy dealer and asking them how many people like drugs. Of course they will answer everyone, first because they have an incentive to advertise their services (nord advertises their VPN + Antivirus for blocking Malware) and even if they try to be neutral, they just don't have the data, since people who go to a Dealer are likely to like drugs, the same way people who believe Nord are the same ones who are likely to fall for such things

[–] salacious_coaster@infosec.pub 2 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

I find it difficult to have sympathy for people who suffer predictable consequences after scanning unknown QR codes left in public.

[–] HootinNHollerin@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

What about the loads of restaurants that use them for menus?

[–] vaultdweller013@sh.itjust.works 2 points 6 hours ago

Clearly those restaurants are cheap shitholes and don't deserve business. What ever happened to having a board, if you don't want individual menus just put up a couple boards that are visible from the tables and booths.

[–] womjunru@lemmy.cafe 1 points 10 hours ago

Wow that’s a great (criminal) idea to make money. I guess that’s fraud? I suppose it depends on the wording and the fine print.