Introducing Beaver: A QR Scam Detection and Tracking Tool
For a while now, I’ve been involved in personal research about a new form of cyber-attack called Quishing. It is a simply phishing using QR codes. This attack leads to the loss of billions of dollars yearly, particularly due to the increasing rate of contactless payment (payment using QR codes). There are common occurrences where fraud masters paste a malicious QR code over a legitimate one in public places, usually payment QR codes, so as to divert funds.
The Need for a Solution
Imagine your business losing all the funds from the last few days, possible months even, due to the lapses of contactless payment. It is essential to have a system in place to detect and prevent such attacks.
The Birth of Beaver
Then I suddenly remembered who I am, I remembered I have something in me I have been pruning for multiple years now, I have coding!!!! So I launched VS Code and I started, I needed a system that could not just detect malicious QR codes, but can also identify its source. Just like everything I ever made before, I spent more time troubleshooting than actually developing new features.
What is Beaver?
Beaver is a QR scam detection and tracking tool, it identifies the threat and provides comprehensive details about the source and other necessary information required for counter-effective measures. This software is particularly useful in the fintech space than any other as contactless payment is the order of the day.
Key Use Cases
The key use cases of this system are the prevention of:
- Quishing: Malicious QR codes in emails
- QR code swapping: Tampered codes in public spaces
- Fake payment codes: Redirecting payments to scammers
How Beaver Works
This system enables clients to easily detect and report abnormalities due to malicious QR codes to fintech companies, which will enhance the company in information gathering. This information can be used to:
- Predict future attacks
- Shut down fake login pages by reporting such to their respective hosting providers
- And protect their clients from loss of funds
Future Development
Currently, the app is a minimum viable product with its core functionality just functioning at a stable state. In the future, I plan to:
- Implement real-time intelligence features, that is, to detect known malicious URLs instantly
- To detect SSL certificate abnormalities
- Implement a user reporting system
Long-term Ambitions
With much ambition and anticipation, I intend to train an AI model to detect fake login pages, social engineering keywords, and suspicious domain patterns.
Conclusion
I’m looking forward to fellow ambitious people or financial institutions in the tech space who are willing to collaborate with me so as to create a safer cyberspace for the world at large.
Get Involved
Link to the project: https://lnkd.in/eBmFkADi
FAQs
Q: What is Quishing?
A: Quishing is a new form of cyber-attack that uses QR codes to phish unsuspecting victims.
Q: How does Beaver detect malicious QR codes?
A: Beaver uses advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques to detect and identify malicious QR codes.
Q: Can Beaver detect known malicious URLs instantly?
A: Currently, Beaver can detect known malicious URLs, but in the future, I plan to implement real-time intelligence features to detect such URLs instantly.
Q: Is Beaver only useful for fintech companies?
A: While Beaver is particularly useful for fintech companies, it can also be used by any organization that uses contactless payment methods.
Q: How can I get involved with the project?
A: You can get involved by visiting the link provided and showing your support. Additionally, you can collaborate with me to further develop and improve the project.
