Unlocking the Power of QR Codes

QR Codes, short for "Quick Response code", have become ubiquitous in our digital age, facilitating a wide range of applications from marketing to contactless payments. A QR code is a two-dimensional matrix barcode in a visually scannable format. Standard barcodes can only be read in one direction (top to bottom) which means they can only store a small amount of information. Alternatively, QR Codes are read in two directions, top to bottom and left to right, and can be scanned in any direction. This makes them to be easier to capture and allows these codes to store significantly more data than a standard barcode. Additionally, QR codes have an error correction function that makes the code readable even if parts of the code are stained or damaged. QR codes can store a website URL, phone number, digital business card, shipping label, or up to 4,000 characters of text.

History of QR Codes

QR codes were first developed in Japan in 1994 by a company called Denso Wave, a subsidiary of the Toyota Group, as a means of tracking vehicle parts during the manufacturing process. The company declared they would not exercise patent rights, making their QR code technology available to the public. While they were slow to gain popularity, the first mobile devices with QR code readers were created in 2002.As smartphones gained popularity, QR codes became more common. In 2020, Denso Wave continued to improve their original design, adding traceability, brand protection and anti-forgery technology into QR codes.

Today, their use has expanded far beyond automotive manufacturing, with applications across various industries. Marketers started using QR codes in ad campaigns to direct consumers to product information or special offers by putting the codes on posters inside or outside of stores, billboards, and even in commercials. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many restaurants replaced hard copies of printed menus with QR codes to comply with CDC guidance and create a “touchless” environment. Interestingly, there is even a company based in the UK, called QR Memories, that creates QR codes for use on gravestones, allowing people to scan the code to read more about that deceased person’s life (typically linking to an obituary or news story relating to them online).

How QR Codes Work

QR codes function as a bridge between the physical and digital worlds. They can store a variety of data, such as text, URLs, contact information, or even Wi-Fi network credentials. The patterns within QR codes represent binary codes that can be interpreted to reveal the codes data. A QR code reader can identify a standard QR code based on the three large squares within the code. Once it has identified these shapes, it knows that everything contained inside the square is a QR code. To analyze the code, the scanner breaks the code down into a grid looking at the individual grid squares. Each square in the grid is assigned one a value based on whether it is black or white. It then groups the grid squares to create larger patterns.

Are QR Codes Safe?

While many people are aware that QR codes can open a website, they can be less aware of the other actions that QR codes are capable of initiating on a user’s device. Aside from opening a website, a QR code can be used to execute code. Therefore, it is possible for spammers to program QR codes with URL's that lead to phishing websites used for obtaining unsuspecting user’s personal information or login credentials. It is also possible for cybercriminals to program a QR code with custom malware which could be used to exfiltrate data from a mobile device when scanned, add contacts to your device or even compose emails. A typical “attack” would involve scammers placing malicious QR codes in public places, or even covering up legitimate QR codes.

With all the possible malicious uses of QR codes and the fact that users cannot determine what a QR code will do just by looking at it, do the benefits outweigh the risks? As with most technology these days, it seems there is always a risk. If you know for sure that a QR code is from a trusted source, then it is probably safe to scan. However, if you are out in public and see a random QR code stuck to a pole on the side of the road, with no context, scanning that code may not be the best idea. Alternatively, there are secure QR code scanners that you can download to your smartphone. For example, Kaspersky QR Scanner instantly checks that a scanned link is safe before providing any information to the user and will alert the user of phishing scams and dangerous links. It also creates a log of past scans so, if necessary, users can look back to see where and when they were compromised.

Additionally, users may be concerned about QR Codes collecting personal data however, the only data that QR codes do collect (which is only available to the QR code’s creator) includes location, number of times the code has been scanned, the time of day the code was scanned and the operating system of the device that scanned the code.

Conclusion

QR codes have evolved from their origin in the automotive industry to become versatile tools used in marketing, retail, healthcare, and more. Understanding how QR codes work and implementing best practices in their use can enhance customer engagement and convenience. As technology continues to advance, QR codes are likely to remain a valuable asset in bridging the physical and digital realms.