QR Codes and Quishing

Today we are delving into a concerning trend that’s been making headlines (again) - the dramatic rise in QR code scams, commonly known as “quishing.”

QR codes were invented in 1994 by Masahiro Hara, an engineer at the Japanese company Denso Wave, which is a subsidiary of Toyota.

Since 1994 QR codes have become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives. From restaurant menus to parking meters, these black-and-white squares offer a convenient way to access information quickly. However, this convenience has also opened the door for cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting individuals.

It’s 11:47 PM. I’m in a dimly lit car park that looks like it was designed using the “haunted hospital” filter on Google Maps. 

The only sounds are a distant owl, the buzz of a dying streetlight, and my own footsteps echoing like I’m in an indie horror film called "Payment Denied."

My mission?

To pay the £2.50 parking charge and escape with my dignity intact. Simple. Elegant. Foolproof.

I approach the pay station……..

Like I’m supposed to be carrying wizard money in 2025.