Real-World Examples
- A financial services firm had employees scan a QR code on what looked like an updated parking pass. The code installed malware that spread through email, costing them weeks of cleanup.
- In another case, attackers placed fake QR code stickers over legitimate ones in a restaurant, capturing customer credit card info through a spoofed payment page.
If these tactics can fool individuals, they can certainly trick employees who are moving fast and trying to get work done.
Best Practices for Business Security
At Intelligent Technical Solutions, we recommend the following for organizations between 20 and 500 users:
- Train employees to treat QR codes like suspicious links. If you wouldn’t click a link in a random email, don’t scan a QR code without verification.
- Use company-approved tools to verify URLs before accessing them. IT teams can set up mobile device security controls that scan and filter dangerous destinations.
- Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) to enforce policies across employee smartphones and tablets.
- Leverage Zero Trust principles—never assume that a QR code is safe just because it looks like it’s from a known vendor.
The Bottom Line
QR codes are not inherently bad—but blindly scanning them is not a best practice for business security. As cybercriminals continue to look for shortcuts into your systems, your employees must be trained to slow down, verify, and follow safe protocols.
Your IT partner should help you build these safeguards, enforce mobile security policies, and prepare your staff with ongoing security awareness training.
