QR Code Security: how to prevent quishing and malicious redirects

QR codes are convenient because they remove friction.

Attackers like them for the same reason.

"Quishing" is QR code phishing: a QR code that sends someone to a malicious website or to a lookalike login page.

If you run QR codes in the real world (posters, menus, mailers, packaging, business cards), you should treat QR code security like any other marketing risk.

This guide is practical and conservative. No hype. Just steps you can take today.

TL;DR

Use HTTPS destinations and avoid messy redirect chains.
If you use a dynamic QR code, protect the redirect and restrict who can change it.
Make the destination obvious: label what the QR code does and where it goes.
Use unique QR codes per placement so you can detect tampering.
Keep QR codes scan friendly (size, quiet zone, contrast) to reduce repeated scans and user confusion.

What quishing looks like in real life

Quishing usually falls into a few patterns:

Sticker overlay: someone places a sticker with a different QR code on top of yours.
Lookalike domain: the scan leads to a domain that resembles your brand.
Redirect abuse: a short link or redirect service is edited to point somewhere else.
Credential bait: the landing page immediately asks for login, payment, or personal data.

The threat is not theoretical. Any printed code in public is exposed.

The safest approach: make the destination trustworthy

The most effective protection is to make it obvious, consistent, and hard to fake.

1) Use your own domain

When possible, route scans through a domain people recognize.

good: https://yourbrand.com/menu
risky: a random short domain users have never seen

If you must use a short link, ensure it is branded and controlled.

2) Always use HTTPS

HTTPS is table stakes.

If your destination is not HTTPS, many phones and browsers will warn users, and attackers can intercept traffic more easily.

3) Avoid long redirect chains

Redirects can be useful (for dynamic QR codes), but long chains make it hard for users to understand where they are going.

If you use redirects, keep it tight:

1 redirect is normal
2 or more is often a smell

Related reading: /blog/qr-redirects-best-practices

4) Lock down who can edit destinations

Dynamic QR codes are great for marketing, but they add a control plane.

Protect it like you would protect your website:

use strong passwords and 2FA
restrict admin access
review audit logs
avoid shared logins

If you use QRShuffle, keep ownership limited and treat edits as production changes.

Related reading: /blog/dynamic-qr-code and /blog/editable-qr-code

Make the QR code harder to tamper with

5) Use unique codes per location

If you print one QR code and use it everywhere, you will never know which location was compromised.

Instead, generate separate QR codes per placement:

storefront window
register counter
each table tent design
each poster run

That makes it easier to:

monitor scans by placement
spot sudden changes
reprint only the affected location

Related reading: /blog/qr-code-analytics

6) Add human readable labeling

A QR code without context is a trust problem.

Add a short label near the code:

what it does: "View menu" or "Pay invoice"
where it goes: "yourbrand.com"
what to expect: "No login required"

This reduces the success rate of sticker overlays because users have a reference.

7) Use tamper evident placement

If possible:

place the code behind a window
print it as part of the design instead of a separate sticker
use matte laminate so overlays are easier to spot

Reduce user confusion (confusion helps attackers)

A surprising amount of "security" comes down to user experience.

If scanning is unreliable, people scan repeatedly, switch camera apps, and stop paying attention.

8) Keep QR codes scan friendly

Use:

enough size for the expected distance
strong contrast
a proper quiet zone

9) Use fast landing pages

Slow pages increase drop off and make users second guess the scan.

Related reading: /blog/landing-page-speed-for-scans

A simple security checklist for your next print run

Destination is HTTPS and on a recognizable domain
Only one redirect, and it is controlled
Dynamic destination edits require a protected account
QR code is labeled with action + domain
Unique QR code per location
Scan friendly design (size, quiet zone, contrast)
Landing page loads fast

CTA: make your QR codes editable, trackable, and safer

QRShuffle helps you generate dynamic QR codes you can update without reprinting, plus scan analytics so you can spot anomalies by placement.

Create your first QR code in minutes:

https://qrshuffle.com

QR Code Security: How to Prevent Quishing and Malicious Redirects