Beware of Fraudulent QR Codes During Songkran: Kaspersky Warns of Increased Cyber Threats in Thailand
During the Thai New Year celebration of Songkran, Kaspersky warns about the risks associated with using QR codes.
QR codes are convenient for making payments, accessing websites, and subscribing to promotions, but they can also pose a threat to personal data and financial accounts.
Users should be cautious and only scan QR codes from trusted sources to avoid potential cyber attacks.
QR codes offer convenience by allowing users to access links with a simple scan, but they come with risks.
Unlike traditional URLs, it can be difficult to detect if a QR code leads to a fake website, downloads malicious software, or collects personal information.
Fraudulent QR codes have been placed over legal ones in various public places, and cases of such incidents have been reported.
Kaspersky's General Manager for Southeast Asia, Yeo Siang Tiong, warns of the potential dangers of using QR codes without caution.
A 60-year-old woman in Singapore suffered a loss of $20,000 after scanning a seemingly harmless QR code at a coffee shop door.
The code was covered by cybercriminals, who had replaced it with a malicious link to a third-party Android app.
The woman believed she was completing a survey, but the app stole her personal information and emptied her bank account.
Thailand, with its second-largest digital economy in Southeast Asia, has seen a significant increase in cyber threats in 2023, with figures up 114.25% from the previous year.
The top three risks include website hacking, defacement, and fake websites.
The widespread use of QR codes in Thailand, particularly in stores, restaurants, and businesses, makes them a popular target for cybercriminals.
There has been an increase in threats in the country with more frequent and sophisticated attacks.
Yeo advises people to be cautious, especially when traveling and using QR codes.
Kaspersky suggests checking the addresses of sites linked in QR codes carefully and ensuring the expected and actual content match.
Even if a page looks legitimate, it could still be a high-quality fake.
The text advises against downloading apps using QR codes due to the risk of installing malware from unofficial sources.
Instead, apps should be obtained from Google Play, the App Store, or other trusted platforms.
The text also emphasizes the importance of using a reliable security solution to protect devices from malicious sites and other cyber threats.
The security solution includes a QR code scanner to check links and blocks attempts to visit dangerous websites.
Users should be cautious and only scan QR codes from trusted sources to avoid potential cyber attacks.
QR codes offer convenience by allowing users to access links with a simple scan, but they come with risks.
Unlike traditional URLs, it can be difficult to detect if a QR code leads to a fake website, downloads malicious software, or collects personal information.
Fraudulent QR codes have been placed over legal ones in various public places, and cases of such incidents have been reported.
Kaspersky's General Manager for Southeast Asia, Yeo Siang Tiong, warns of the potential dangers of using QR codes without caution.
A 60-year-old woman in Singapore suffered a loss of $20,000 after scanning a seemingly harmless QR code at a coffee shop door.
The code was covered by cybercriminals, who had replaced it with a malicious link to a third-party Android app.
The woman believed she was completing a survey, but the app stole her personal information and emptied her bank account.
Thailand, with its second-largest digital economy in Southeast Asia, has seen a significant increase in cyber threats in 2023, with figures up 114.25% from the previous year.
The top three risks include website hacking, defacement, and fake websites.
The widespread use of QR codes in Thailand, particularly in stores, restaurants, and businesses, makes them a popular target for cybercriminals.
There has been an increase in threats in the country with more frequent and sophisticated attacks.
Yeo advises people to be cautious, especially when traveling and using QR codes.
Kaspersky suggests checking the addresses of sites linked in QR codes carefully and ensuring the expected and actual content match.
Even if a page looks legitimate, it could still be a high-quality fake.
The text advises against downloading apps using QR codes due to the risk of installing malware from unofficial sources.
Instead, apps should be obtained from Google Play, the App Store, or other trusted platforms.
The text also emphasizes the importance of using a reliable security solution to protect devices from malicious sites and other cyber threats.
The security solution includes a QR code scanner to check links and blocks attempts to visit dangerous websites.
