Handala hackers distribute threatening QR code flyers in Tel Aviv

The Iranian hacker group Handala distributed flyers in Israeli mailboxes containing QR codes. People who scanned the codes reported that their phones were taken over, with screens going dark, devices overheating, contacts being deleted and personal information stolen. The group claims the flyers warn of life without water and electricity. Israeli police are investigating the distribution of the flyers in Tel Aviv.

This report describes a physical-mail phishing campaign using QR codes that can compromise smartphones.