QR Code Malware Picks Up Steam

QR Code Malware Picks Up Steam

As mobile marketers have latched onto the convenience and cool-factor of QR codes, hackers are starting to take advantage of these square, scannable bar codes as a new way to distribute malware. Like all mobile attack vectors, it is a new frontier that security researchers say is not extremely prevalent but which has a lot of potential to wreak havoc if mobile developers and users stand by unaware.

Source

QR code for the URL of the English Wikipedia Mobile main page, “hxxp://en.m.wikipedia.org”

I was reading the recent article posted by John Barrett here at Cleanbytes regarding Windows 8 security improvements

The thought hit me that we’ve been here before with Microsoft attempting to close security holes. It followed by wondering how long it would be before that security feature was broken. The war of escalation in security verses malware has been on going for years.

Then I wandered up on the above article about how Android based phones were particularly open to malware attacks due to it’s open source nature. This followed into wondering how long it is before the two systems are tied to the same malware, infecting two for the price of one.

There would have to be a tie between the two to make this transfer, were it to happen. The internet seems to be prime in making that interface. Who doesn’t like to take photos on their cell phone and then perhaps edit them on the computer before sending them on to friends and loved ones? It just seems to be an excellent way to pass malware and maybe the path to the future in regards to antivirus companies new security fields.

Now don’t get me wrong here. I think the new layout of trying to close the barn doors to malware and the ability to look beyond just the service layer in what is actually connecting in the line of processes is a great step forward from what we have now. The addition of closing the access to rootkits is a much needed advance. It’s been years in coming and long over due.

It will take continuing efforts on the part of not just Microsoft but all the white hats to keep the doors secured as there are tons of people on the net that want into your money and personal info.