QR Codes: The Sneaky Threat to Your Password Security

Remember the QR code craze of 2020? We scanned them for restaurant menus, parking meters, and even wedding guestbooks. We got comfortable, perhaps too comfortable. But as QR codes made a comeback, so did the threats associated with them.

QR Code Threats: A Brief History

Back in 2019, cybersecurity experts began warning about the dangers of QR codes. By October 2023, attacks had increased significantly. Hackers started using QR codes in phishing emails, disguising them as HR messages about payroll. Scan the code, enter your password, and just like that, your credentials are compromised.

Fast forward to January 2026, and the FBI has issued new warnings about North Korean hackers using QR codes to steal credentials and deliver malware. Why? Because they still work on some people. When you scan a QR code in an email on your work computer, the attack shifts to your phone, which likely has less security than your laptop. No corporate firewall, no monitoring—just you, your camera app, and a malicious website that looks legitimate.

This technique is sometimes called “Quishing” (QR + phishing). It’s an effective attack, but the good news is that you don’t need a massive security budget to defend against it. You just need awareness and a few smart habits.

10 Habits to Protect You from QR Code Phishing Attacks

1. Treat QR Codes Like Links

A QR code is just a hidden URL. If you wouldn’t click a random link in an email, don’t scan a random QR code. Same risk, same rules. This mindset shift stops most QR attacks in their tracks.

2. Pause Before You Scan

QR phishing works because we scan first and think later. Reverse that. Before you scan, ask yourself:

Who sent this?
Why am I getting this right now?
What happens after I scan it?

Three seconds of asking smart questions can form safe cyber habits.

3. Keep Security Software on Your Phone

You probably have antivirus software on your work computer. What about your phone? Most QR codes are scanned on phones. If your company offers mobile security software, install it. Your phone deserves the same protection as your computer.

4. Stop Automatic Link Opening

Make your phone show you where a QR code leads before it opens anything. For iPhones, press and hold the banner to preview the link. For Android, disable “Open supported links” in Chrome settings.

5. Watch for Urgency and Panic Language

Attackers love urgency. It shuts down your skepticism. Common QR phishing themes include urgent payroll issues, immediate MFA resets, and important HR updates. When you see urgency plus a QR code, slow down.

6. Type URLs Manually for Sensitive Actions

Need to reset your password or update payment info? Don’t scan a QR code. Open your browser, type the website address yourself, and log in the old-fashioned way. It takes 15 extra seconds and makes credential-stealing QR codes useless.

7. Watch for External Email Warning Banners

See that “[EXTERNAL]” tag at the top of some work emails? That’s your hint that the message came from outside your organization. When you see that banner plus a QR code, think twice before scanning.

8. Be Suspicious of QR Codes in Unexpected Emails

Got an email with a QR code from someone you don’t recognize? Trust your gut. Delete it. Legitimate companies won’t send important information via a QR code in an email.

9. Learn from Practice Scenarios

If your company runs phishing simulations, don’t panic when you encounter one. These tests help you recognize patterns and practice. If you scan a simulated QR code by mistake, you’ve learned something valuable without real consequences.

10. Report Suspicious Emails

See something sketchy? Say something. Most companies have a way to report suspicious emails. Use it. Every time you report a QR phishing attempt, you’re protecting everyone on your team.

TLDR Summary: Your QR Code Safety Cheat Sheet

QR codes = links. Same rules apply.
Pause and ask: Who sent this? Why now? Where does it go?
Protect your phone like you protect your computer.
Preview before opening. Make your phone show you the URL first.
Urgency = red flag. Slow down, don’t speed up.
Type it yourself for logins, passwords, and payments. Never scan.
[EXTERNAL] tag? Extra skepticism required.
Unexpected QR code? Trust your gut. Delete it.
Practice makes perfect. Phishing tests help you learn without consequences.
Report suspicious emails. You’re protecting everyone, not just yourself.

The Bottom Line

QR codes aren’t going away, and neither are the attackers who use them. But you don’t need a security degree or expensive tools to protect yourself. Slow down, ask questions, and trust your instincts. The next time you get an email with a QR code, pause. Look at who sent it. Think about whether it makes sense. Preview the link before you scan. That’s the defense.

You’re smarter than these attacks give you credit for. Take those extra moments to prove it. For more information, check out CyberHoot’s guide on QR codes.