Quishing (QR Code Phishing) attacks have been growing in the last two years, as threat actors continuously adapt their techniques. Unlike traditional phishing emails that contain suspicious links, quishing attacks embed QR codes in email attachments, such as PDFs or Office documents, tricking users into scanning them with their mobile devices.
The Challenge of Detecting Quishing
Traditional security tools often struggle to detect QR code-based phishing attacks. Since QR codes contain encoded information that isn’t immediately visible, many email security gateways and antivirus engines fail to inspect them properly. And even if they can handle them, most don’t take a contextual approach. This makes quishing a particularly effective attack vector, as users are more likely to trust QR codes, especially in professional or corporate communications.
Contextal’s Approach
Contextal Platform can not only detect and decode QR codes, but can further utilize its advanced contextual detection with ContexQL. Instead of looking at QR codes in isolation, it analyzes them within the broader context of the possible attack, taking into account multiple risk factors.
We provide a ready to use detection scenario, which can effectively block quishing attempts.
Why Context Matters
QR codes by themselves are not inherently malicious – they are widely used in business, marketing, and personal communications. However, when analyzed in the right context, they can reveal potential security threats. By looking at QR codes alongside document types, email origins, and external link characteristics, Contextal Platform provides a more effective way to detect quishing attacks than traditional security solutions. This method helps reduce false positives while increasing detection rates, ensuring that organizations stay protected against emerging phishing techniques.
As quishing attacks continue to rise, it’s essential to adopt advanced, context-aware security measures. To learn more about how Contextal detects phishing attacks, visit our platform’s website.