QR codes being exploited by hackers to distribute malware
Hackers are using QR codes to distribute malware to smartphone owners, says AVG.
According to the security firm's AVG Community Powered Threat Report – Q4 2011, QR codes are becoming more popular with mobile users when it comes to accessing web pages or information without the need for typing in text or a URL, as the codes can simply be scanned by a handset and then automatically direct the user to the information. However, hackers are beginning to exploit this popularity as the user does not know what lurks behind the QR code until the malware is already installed and running on their device.
"In Q4 we clearly saw the convergence between computers and mobile phones applies to malware too. As phones become more like computers, so do the risks," said Yuval Ben-Itzhak, Chief Technology Officer, AVG Technologies. "Many sophisticated tricks of the trade from computers are now being repurposed for phones. However, as phones are often tied into billing systems the gains can be far greater."
