How to Create a Printable QR Phishing Simulation

In 2024, quishing, or QR code phishing, has become a serious threat to organizations. Scammers are using QR codes to trick employees into revealing sensitive information.

Did you know that 68% of security breaches in 2024 involved human error, often triggered by social engineering tactics like quishing? According to the latest Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), this makes human error one of the leading causes of cyber incidents. Running a QR phishing simulation helps your team recognize and avoid these scams before they become real attacks, strengthening your organization’s overall defenses.

But how do you create one that’s not just effective but also easy to use? Let’s walk through the process of creating a printable QR phishing simulation that you can use to test and train your employees.

Why You Need a QR Phishing Simulation

Before diving into the steps, it’s essential to understand why this simulation matters. QR code phishing, often known as quishing, works by embedding malicious URLs into a QR code. When scanned, these codes may lead to fake login pages or download malware onto the user's device. Since QR codes are so widely used in marketing, restaurants, and even workplaces, people don’t think twice before scanning them—making them prime targets for attackers.

Conducting a QR phishing simulation helps your team spot suspicious QR codes, reducing the risk of them falling for real attacks.

Key Benefits of a QR Phishing Simulation

Running a QR phishing simulation offers multiple benefits for improving cybersecurity within your organization. By exposing employees to realistic phishing scenarios, simulations help build the skills needed to detect and avoid real-world threats. Here are the key benefits:

1. Improved awareness of quishing threats.
2. Real-life testing of how employees respond to phishing scenarios.
3. Identifies security weaknesses within your organization’s human firewall.
4. Allows for targeted follow-up training based on the results.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a QR Phishing Simulation

Creating a QR phishing simulation is a process designed to imitate real-world phishing attacks using QR codes. This helps test your organization’s ability to detect and respond to these threats. By designing realistic scenarios and tracking employee behavior, you can identify weaknesses in security awareness and improve defenses. Here’s a clear step-by-step guide to get started.

1. Design Your Phishing Scenario

The first step is to create a realistic phishing scenario that your employees might encounter. A good phishing simulation mirrors real-world situations—think about where people might encounter QR codes. Some common places include:

• Posters in the workplace
• Email newsletters
• Shared documents or promotional materials

Your QR phishing simulation can start with a scenario like this: a fake company event poster encouraging employees to scan a QR code to "RSVP." When they scan the QR code, it directs them to a simulated phishing page.

Using a tool like Keepnet’s QR Phishing Simulator, you can design realistic scenarios with 600+ customizable templates in over 30 languages, ensuring each simulation feels authentic and aligns with your team’s daily experiences.

For more ideas on phishing simulation content, check out our detailed post on how phishing simulators boost security awareness.

2. Generate the Malicious QR Code

Now, it’s time to generate a QR code that links to your phishing page. You can use any QR code generator to do this. However, instead of pointing the QR code to a malicious link, you will point it to a secure internal test page designed to track scans and identify employees who fall for the bait.

There are numerous online tools available to create QR codes, but make sure you use a reliable one that allows for tracking and analytics. This is essential for recording how many people scanned the code and how many went ahead with providing sensitive information.

Pro Tip: You can customize phishing templates easily with platforms like Keepnet’s Quishing Simulator, which offers pre-built scenarios and design flexibility.

3. Create a Printable Poster or Document

Once your QR code is ready, the next step is to embed it into a printable format. The goal is to make the simulation as real as possible, so think about the design:

• Use company branding on the document to add authenticity.
• Frame the message in a non-threatening way, like announcing a new company initiative, a survey, or a contest.

You can place this printable document in common office areas like break rooms, meeting spaces, or even send it as an email attachment. The more natural the placement, the better.

4. Track Employee Interaction with the QR Code

Once the printable QR phishing simulation is live, you’ll need to monitor the results. How many employees scan the code? Did they proceed to enter credentials or other sensitive information? This data is important for determining the overall security awareness of your team.

Tools like Keepnet’s Quishing Simulator come equipped with real-time monitoring and analytics, allowing you to track every scan and interaction. You can generate detailed reports to see which employees were most vulnerable to the attack, providing valuable insights into your organization’s security gaps.

5. Provide Immediate Feedback and Training

After completing the QR phishing simulation, immediately follow up with employees who interacted with the code. The faster you provide feedback, the better the learning outcome. A best practice is to redirect those who fall for the simulation to a training page where they can review:

• How to spot suspicious QR codes.
• How quishing attacks are structured.
• Best practices for verifying QR codes before scanning them.

Encouraging ongoing security awareness training is essential to minimize human error.

Using Keepnet’s targeted training options, you can ensure each employee receives immediate, relevant feedback based on their interaction. For a detailed guide on effective training, visit our article on security awareness training for employees.

6. Analyze the Results and Refine Future QR Code Simulations

After running the simulation, you’ll want to analyze the data. What percentage of employees fell for the QR phishing attack? Did certain departments perform worse than others? Use this data to create more targeted simulations or adjust your overall security strategy.

The results of your simulation should guide future training efforts. If many employees fall for the attack, consider running another round of phishing awareness training or conducting a more sophisticated simulation that mimics advanced quishing tactics.

The Keepnet Quishing Simulator also provides detailed reports that highlight areas where additional security training is needed. If many employees fell for the attack, consider refining your simulation with advanced scenarios that mimic more sophisticated quishing tactics.

For more insights on improving your organization’s security posture, check out this comprehensive guide to human risk management.

Best Practices for Running a Successful QR Phishing Simulation

To maximize the effectiveness of your QR phishing simulation, it's essential to follow some key strategies. These tips will help ensure your simulation is both realistic and impactful:

• Diversify simulations: Combine different phishing types (QR, email, and voice phishing) to keep employees alert to various threats.
• Use real-life scenarios: Create phishing attempts that closely mimic typical workday interactions, like event invites or surveys with QR codes.
• Analyze and follow up: Review the results carefully and provide targeted training for employees who fell for the attack.
• Leverage trusted tools: Platforms like the Keepnet Phishing Simulator simplify the creation, tracking, and management of phishing simulations with detailed analytics.

Protect Your Business with Keepnet's QR Phishing Simulator

Running a printable QR phishing simulation is an excellent way to uncover vulnerabilities in your security and improve your team’s ability to recognize phishing attacks. As QR code phishing continues to rise, it’s critical to train your staff to identify and avoid these threats.

The Keepnet Quishing Simulator simplifies the entire process. It allows you to automate the simulation, track responses, and scale effortlessly to meet your organization's needs. With customizable scenarios and real-time feedback, you can enhance your team’s security awareness and reduce the chances of a successful attack.

Ready to defend your business against QR phishing? Sign up for a free trial and start your tailored simulation today!