Attention in Kassel: fake QR codes discovered on parking ticket machines!

Attention in Kassel: fake QR codes discovered on parking ticket machines!

Numerous parking ticket machines are currently being targeted by fraudsters in Kassel. Unknowns have glued these machines with fake QR codes, which are supposed to lure unsuspecting users into the trap. This fraud, known as "quishing", means that when scanning the QR codes, the operators are directed to supposedly trustworthy websites, but the only purpose of which is the theft of personal data. The police in North Hesse is informed about the procedure and strongly recommends checking the QR codes before scanning. Hessenschau reports that the State Criminal Police Office has published concrete warning notes against quishing.

"quishing" consists of the terms "QR code" and "phishing". Fraudsters use the weaknesses of QR code technology. If a user scans a fake QR code that redirects to an external server, he can still be directed to the official side of the provider, but with false signs. Overall, contact and bank details are stolen without the knowledge of the user. The procedure is particularly risky because many smartphones only display the content of a QR code when opening the website, which makes it easier for the fraudsters to intercept sensitive data Money and consumer.

The risk in focus

In particular, users of the payment service provider Pay by Phone are affected. The city of Kassel has already taken measures to remove the fake QR codes, but also thinks of filing criminal complaint against the unknown perpetrators. In a city with over 300 parking ticket machines, however, this is not an easy task. Christopher Kunz from Heise Security points out that the perpetrators exploit weaker smartphones and outdated software. These risk factors can lead to important security precautions in the truest sense of the word.

"It is terrifying how creative the fraudsters are in the deception of their victims," ​​says a consumer protection employee. The Lower Saxony Consumer Center advises to scan QR codes only from trustworthy sources and always check the URL before opening a website. This could protect this from unpleasant surprises [Https://www.verusveruserzentrale-niedersachsen.de/themen/internet- phone/datenschutz/betrug-qr-codes-quishing-so-schuetzen-sich).

tips for prevention

To protect yourself from quishing, users should note the following information:

• QR codes only scan if their origin is known and trustworthy.
• Use a smartphone camera app that shows the scanned Internet address before opening.
• research the sender for suspicious messages and confirm directly via official contact routes.
• At e-charging stations or similar locations, make sure that QR codes have been glued over.
• act quickly in the event of suspicion of fraud and inform the police; Contact the bank immediately for money transfers.

The topic of quishing once again shows how important a critical examination of digital payment methods is. It is to be hoped that the damage can be limited by investigation and preventive measures and that users are more secure. Remember: a good knack for digital payments is required!