Quishing ??phishing attacks that use malicious QR codes to direct victims to fraudulent websites or trigger malicious actions ??has exploded in 2025-2026, becoming one of the most rapidly growing attack vectors. Our 2026 guide explains quishing attacks and provides actionable defense strategies. QR codes are inherently trustworthy to most users ??we instinctively believe that a QR code leads to a legitimate destination. Attackers exploit this trust by embedding malicious URLs in QR codes placed in public spaces, sent via email, or included in text messages. Our threat analysis identified three primary quishing attack patterns: fake parking ticket QR codes directing users to payment phishing sites, business email compromise quishing campaigns using embedded QR codes to bypass email security gateways, and package delivery notification QR codes leading to credential harvesting pages. The email-based quishing trend is particularly concerning ??because the malicious URL is hidden inside a QR code image, it bypasses traditional email security scanning that checks URLs in plain text. Defending against quishing requires a combination of technology and awareness: email security solutions with QR code analysis, mobile security apps that scan QR codes before opening them, and user education to verify the legitimacy of any QR code request. Our guide includes real examples of quishing attacks, red flags to watch for, and step-by-step incident response procedures if you have been successfully quished.