Security News > 2021 > April > Most users don’t know the capabilities and risks of QR codes

57% of respondents to a new Ivanti study claim to have noticed an increase in the usage of QR codes since mid-March 2020.

Early in the pandemic, restaurants were using QR codes as menus or payment options, but as the pandemic continued throughout 2020, consumers used QR codes more frequently for practical things like visiting a doctor's office or picking up a prescription - with an increase from 9% in 2020 to 14% in 2021.

Social activities like dining out or enjoying a drink at a bar saw QR code usage decrease in that six-month period from 44% to 36%. Even offices and places of work saw an increase in usage going from 11% to 14% emphasizing the shift in how QR codes have been used during the pandemic.

Sixty-five percent reported noticing an increase in places where QR codes can be used for payments, and 87% feel secure using a QR code to complete a financial transaction.

How users could be putting themselves and their employers at risk 47% or respondents claimed to know that a QR code can open a URL. However, only 37% were aware that a QR code can download an application and only 22% were aware that a QR code can give away physical location.

"As QR codes continue to increase in popularity and use, they will undoubtedly be leveraged more and more by cyberattackers to infiltrate devices and steal corporate data. This report underscores how critical it is that companies of all sizes prioritize mobile security for their employees, regardless if the device is company or employee owned. Organizations should implement Mobile Threat Defense to defend mobile users against QRLjacking, phishing attacks, and to identify mobile OS or application vulnerabilities."

News URL

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HelpNetSecurity/~3/oQUKvWDoM24/