Smartphones rely on Near Field Communication (NFC) technology for convenience and fast connectivity. But cybersecurity experts warn of the growing threat of tampering with NFC tags. This often overlooked tactic can expose users to phishing attacks, malware and data theft with a simple tap of their phone.

Experts warn against NFC tags!

Marc Rivero, Chief Security Researcher at Kaspersky, said: “NFC technology is incredibly useful. But it is also an important gateway for malicious activity when users are not careful. Innocent-looking tags in public spaces can be reprogrammed or modified to perform malicious actions. As NFC adoption in areas such as payments, public transportation and marketing continues to spread, we predict that malicious actors will become increasingly sophisticated in their methods. Over the next few years, NFC-related attacks could target thousands of users worldwide, particularly in urban areas where NFC use is widespread.  The way to mitigate these risks is through awareness and proactive measures.”

How are NFC tags being replaced?

NFC tags are widely used in marketing campaigns, public transportation systems and smart home installations to enable fast, contactless interaction. But this convenience makes them vulnerable to tampering by malicious actors.

One method involves reprogramming legitimate NFC tags. When these tags are left unlocked, their content can be altered to redirect users to phishing sites, initiate unwanted actions on their devices, or even send malware payloads. Another method is the physical modification of the original NFC tags. For example, attackers can replace a real label on a public poster or kiosk in high-traffic areas such as transportation hubs, cafes or retail stores with a different label that triggers malicious behavior.

Credentials can be stolen

Interacting with a malicious NFC tag can have serious consequences. Phishing attacks, where users are redirected to fake websites designed to steal personal information or login credentials, are among the most common consequences. This can exploit vulnerabilities in a smartphone’s NFC reader to execute malicious code and compromise the security of the device. Malicious NFC tags can also prompt users to download apps or files containing malware that can steal data, track activity or damage the device. Therefore, the seemingly harmless act of scanning a tampered NFC tag can lead to significant financial problems and loss of privacy.

How to protect against NFC attacks

Experts recommend that users take the following simple but effective measures to stay safe:

• Examine NFC tags. Avoid scanning tags in untrusted or suspicious locations and look for signs of tampering.
• Verify actions. Always carefully examine the URL or action triggered by a tag before proceeding.
• Disable automatic actions. Configure your smartphone to require confirmation before executing NFC-related commands. Install a reliable security solution on the device to reduce risks.
• Stay up to date. Make sure your smartphone software is up to date to protect against known vulnerabilities.

Recommendations for businesses

• Organizations using NFC technology should take the following proactive steps to secure their systems and protect their users:
• Use locked or read-only NFC tags to prevent tampering.
• Regularly inspect tags for changes in public areas.
• Train customers and employees on secure NFC practices.