Kaspersky Warns Over QR And Full Screen Tricks

A recent Kaspersky survey found that 69.5 percent of computer users in Pakistan experienced jokes or pranks played on unlocked devices in workplaces nationwide.

The poll revealed that 39.5 percent of such incidents were caused by colleagues, while 30 percent involved friends or relatives playing tricks on personal devices.

Only 1.8 percent of respondents admitted playing such jokes, showing that most users were victims rather than perpetrators in office and home environments.

Security experts warned that harmless jokes can resemble cyber attacks, as attackers often use similar methods to deceive users and gain unauthorized access.

A common example includes phishing pages in full screen mode that conceal the browser bar and display fake visuals of trusted or official websites.

If users cannot exit full screen mode, they may assume their system is locked and follow malicious instructions, risking data theft or financial damage.

To exit full screen mode, users can press F11 or Alt plus F4 on Windows or Cmd plus Ctrl plus F on Mac systems.

Short links and QR codes require extreme caution since they may hide malicious downloads or fake websites designed to exploit trust or curiosity.

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Experts recommend verifying short links using trusted tools such as GetLinkInfo or UnshortenIt to confirm a website’s actual destination before opening it.

Built in scanners in cybersecurity software can check QR codes and warn users when a link leads to a malicious website or suspicious online file.

Brandon Muller, a technology consultant at Kaspersky, advised users to stay alert, use strong passwords, and lock their devices when leaving them unattended.

He further suggested password managers, multi factor authentication, and awareness programs that train employees through simulated phishing exercises and cybersecurity tutorials.

With artificial intelligence advancing rapidly, attackers can now generate realistic fake images or videos that require close inspection and cross verification by users.

Users should hover over short links to view destinations, avoid opening unexpected attachments, and confirm suspicious messages through separate communication channels.