Brock ITS warns users of QR code, AI scams

The Brock Information Technology Services (ITS) team is advising users to be aware of scams involving QR codes and generative artificial intelligence (AI).

QR code phishing, also known as “quishing,” happens when cybercriminals use QR codes to direct users to malicious websites and platforms to gain access to their personal or financial information and login credentials or to prompt them to download malware.

Students, faculty and staff can protect themselves by:

  • Checking for signs of tampering as scammers may place fake QR codes over legitimate ones.
  • Using a reputable QR code scanner that shows a preview of the URL and not clicking on suspicious URLs.
  • Being cautious of QR codes shared with messages that push for immediate action or offer rewards that seem too good to be true.

Generative AI is used to produce text, images, audio and videos. Cybercriminals can use this technology to create deepfakes – images, videos and audio content that appears to be authentic – that can be used in scams, such as by impersonating an authority figure or a user’s loved one. It can be difficult to differentiate AI-generated videos, images and voices from authentic ones.

To avoid “vishing,” or voice phishing, and other generative AI scams, Brock users are advised to:

  • Pay attention to unusual or unnatural phrasing, tones or pauses in conversations or audio recordings.
  • Pause before acting after receiving an usual or urgent request and take a moment to check with a trusted friend or relative through an alternative contact method.
  • Look for unnatural eye movements, head movements and expressions; unusual shadows or reflections; and whether spoken words match lip movements in videos. Users should also check for inconsistencies around the mouth, eyes or hairline of people in videos as these areas can look blurry or out of place in AI-generated fakes.

Brock community members can reach out to the ITS team with questions about QR code or AI scams itsecurity@brocku.ca


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