QR code phishing, sometimes called “quishing,” is a rising threat that cleverly blends the digital and physical worlds. Attackers embed malicious URLs inside QR codes, hoping victims will scan them with a mobile device and unwittingly enter credentials or approve malicious actions.
While we’ll explore a deeper technical breakdown of quishing elsewhere, this guide focuses on one question: How do you protect your organization against QR code phishing attacks?
Secure Email Gateways (SEGs)
Most phishing campaigns still arrive by email, even if they ultimately push users to scan a QR code. That makes Secure Email Gateways (SEGs) your first line of defense.
What they do
- SEGs inspect attachments and email content, applying reputation checks, sandboxing, and link scanning.
- Many can analyze embedded images — including simple QR codes — to some extent.
Limitations
- SEGs were built to detect suspicious links and attachments, not embedded codes.
- QR codes can vary in style, resolution, and file type, making them harder to consistently analyze.
- Cloaking with QR codes often bypasses traditional URL checks entirely.
What to improve
- Ensure your SEG is updated with QR code scanning capabilities (some advanced solutions now decode QR images and inspect embedded URLs).
- Pair with threat intelligence feeds to catch newly registered phishing domains.
Securing Mobile Devices
Because QR code phishing relies on the user’s mobile device to complete the attack, mobile security becomes a critical defense layer.
MDM / UEM controls
- Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Unified Endpoint Management (UEM).
- Control which apps can be installed, enforce secure browsers, and restrict risky configurations.
Protect and inspect web requests
- Most QR code attacks don’t install malware directly — they trick users into visiting a phishing page.
- Deploy security tools that inspect mobile web traffic, block suspicious sites, and analyze URL patterns in real time.
- Cloud proxy services or DNS filtering on mobile can significantly reduce exposure.
Shadow IT Detection
Not all employees will use approved or managed devices. Some scan QR codes with personal phones that sit entirely outside your visibility.
This is why shadow IT detection is essential.
- Maintain a process to discover unmanaged devices accessing company resources.
- Address these risks with clear policies, employee education, or by extending protections (such as secure web gateways) to personal devices wherever possible.
Within Arsen, for instance, during QR code phishing simulations we often uncover unexpected devices accessing the simulated phishing sites. This highlights hidden exposures that otherwise slip under the radar.
Build Strong User Habits
Technology alone won’t stop QR code phishing. Since the attack often relies on human behavior — scanning a physical or emailed QR code — user vigilance is crucial.
Train users not to cross devices
A common security gap: employees scan QR codes displayed on a computer screen (from an email or PDF) using their personal mobile phone. This effectively jumps your secure perimeter, sending authentication or credentials from a device you don’t monitor.
Make it policy: never scan work-related QR codes with personal devices. If a QR code is legitimate, there should be a secure way to access the resource directly on the managed device.
Include QR codes in awareness programs
Most security awareness training still focuses on phishing emails and suspicious attachments. Explicitly include QR code examples in your campaigns:
- Show how attackers embed malicious links inside QR codes.
- Teach staff to recognize suspicious contexts: unexpected QR codes in emails, invoices, or printed documents from unknown sources.
Simulate QR code phishing attacks
The best way to prepare employees is through realistic drills. Run controlled QR code phishing simulations to:
- Measure who scans and follows through.
- Identify unmanaged devices involved.
- Provide immediate feedback to improve instincts.
Closing Thoughts
QR code phishing — or quishing — is a perfect example of how attackers adapt. By wrapping malicious links inside a simple image, they bypass traditional defenses and count on human convenience.
The good news is that you can significantly reduce your risk by layering defenses:
- Strengthen your Secure Email Gateway with QR analysis.
- Enforce robust mobile security and protect outbound web requests.
- Actively hunt for shadow IT.
- And, above all, build a culture where employees pause before scanning, know when to question, and feel comfortable reporting suspicious QR codes.
