The World Cup Qatar 2022 It is the event that takes the main focus of attention from mid-November to mid-December of this year. It is the most important football show on the planet and perhaps one of the most relevant events in the world.
The World Cup generates more traffic on the Internet that is not only related to the news of the sporting event. But it also causes an increase in the purchase and sale of items related to the World Cup.
T-shirts, badges, figurines, game tickets, travel packages and even electronic equipment are sold in greater quantities in relation to the World Cup. This is the perfect scenario for cybercriminals, who plan their strategies to make victims fall through various mechanisms.
One that is not new, but that stands out as one of the favorites for scams in the World Cup is that of Qrishing. By breaking down this term we find that it is the union between QR codes and phishing.
We have already discussed that according to data provided by the cybersecurity firm, ESET, phishing is one of the most common techniques for Internet scams. They operate through text messages, emails or social networks.
They send a fraudulent link or pretend to be recognized companies to collect your data and thus defraud your bank accounts or usurp your identity.
QR code is a new tool
Well, a new tool is added to the aforementioned mechanisms: QR codes. The portal iProfessional reports that cybercriminals use campaigns related to the Qatar 2022 World Cup to implant false QR codes and when the Internet user scans they steal the user’s credentials
“They steal payment details, duplicate cards or impersonate the identity of the victims,” they explained.
To avoid falling for this type of phishing, it is essential to deactivate the option of direct access to sites by QR. To pay for these mechanisms, always use official channels: Mercado Pago (from Mercado Libre) or bank applications.