In response to the rising threat of QR code attacks, or ‘quishing’, Mimecast has upgraded its Email Security system to include a deep scanning feature for URLs linked to QR codes. This enhancement aims to block any malicious content found during an inspection, thereby offering better protection to its customers.
The use of QR codes in cyberattacks has surged significantly, with such attacks often leading to counterfeit sites designed to steal credentials or conduct other harmful activities. Given the commonplace use of QR codes for legitimate purposes, these attacks can be challenging to detect.
According to Mimecast’s The State of Email Security 2023 report, a significant percentage of South African companies have been targeted by email-based attacks, with a notable increase in such threats over the same period. With the global rise of ‘quishing’, local companies are likely to be targeted through this attack vector.
Mimecast’s enhanced ‘quishing’ protection, which identifies QR codes in an email’s body and extracts the URL for deep scanning, will aid in safeguarding employee inboxes. As Brian Pinnock, VP of Sales Engineering at Mimecast, stated, the company is continuously innovating to meet its customers’ needs and tackle this growing attack vector head-on.
The deep scanning of QR code URLs is now live within Mimecast Email Security, and further enhancements to combat ‘quishing’ are expected to follow. This development underscores the importance of continuous innovation in cybersecurity measures to keep pace with evolving threat landscapes.