Cybersecurity Experts Warn of Growing Threat from Malicious NFC Tags

As the festive shopping season progresses, an increasing number of smartphone users are turning to Near Field Communication (NFC) technology for contactless payments and other services, replacing traditional credit cards and smart ticketing systems. However, cybersecurity experts are raising concerns about the rising threat of NFC tag tampering, which could expose users to phishing attacks, malware infections, and data theft.

Marc Rivero, Lead Security Researcher at Kaspersky, underscores the risks associated with NFC technology, noting that while it provides significant convenience, it also creates opportunities for malicious activities. “Innocuous-looking tags placed in public areas can be reprogrammed or swapped to execute harmful actions,” he explained. As NFC adoption grows in sectors like payments, public transport, and marketing, cybercriminals are devising more sophisticated tactics to target thousands of users, particularly in urban settings.

NFC tag tampering involves modifying legitimate tags—commonly used in marketing campaigns, public transport, and smart homes—or replacing them with malicious ones. These compromised tags can redirect users to phishing websites, execute harmful commands on their devices, or deliver malware. Public areas such as transportation hubs, cafes, and retail stores are especially prone to such attacks.

The repercussions of engaging with a malicious NFC tag can be severe. Beyond phishing attacks that steal personal data and login credentials, tampered tags can exploit vulnerabilities in a smartphone’s NFC reader to compromise device security. They might also prompt users to download malicious apps or files, potentially leading to privacy breaches, device damage, and financial losses.

To mitigate these risks, users should inspect NFC tags before scanning, avoid interacting with tags in suspicious locations, and verify any actions initiated by a tag. Enabling security settings such as requiring user confirmation for NFC-related actions, installing robust security software, and keeping smartphones updated are essential safeguards.

For businesses, experts recommend using secure or “read-only” NFC tags to prevent tampering, conducting regular inspections of tags in public spaces, and educating customers and employees about safe NFC practices.

As NFC technology continues to advance, both users and organisations must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the risks of NFC tag tampering to ensure secure and seamless experiences.