How secure are QR Codes?

QR Codes themselves are not inherently secure or insecure; their security depends on how they are used and implemented.

QR Codes often do not reveal their contents until scanned. This can pose a risk if the QR Code links to malicious websites or downloads harmful software.

Physical QR Codes can be tampered with. Stickers or other modifications can be placed over the original QR Code, directing users to different, potentially harmful destinations.

While QR Codes can store a significant amount of data, they are typically used to store URLs or other small pieces of information. The data itself is stored as plain text, which can be read by any scanner and is not encrypted.

QR Codes can be used in phishing attacks, tricking users into scanning a code that leads them to a phishing site where personal information can be compromised.

Dynamic QR Codes, which can be updated to link to different URLs after they are generated, pose an additional risk if the control of the URL is compromised. We provide two-factor authentication (2FA) to secure your account to avoid your QR Codes being high-jacked.

To enhance the security of QR codes, consider the following practices:

Ensure that any URLs encoded in QR codes use HTTPS to protect the integrity and confidentiality of the data transmitted after the scan.

Place QR codes in secure, controlled locations to prevent tampering or replacement. For example when QR Codes are displayed on a TV screen it is hard to put a sticker on top, everybody will recognize that someone is trying to fake the QR Code.

Only scan QR codes from trusted sources, and be cautious of scanning codes in public places that may have been tampered with. QR Code in newspapers are more safe than QR Codes sticked on a wall in a pub.

Employ management systems that track QR code scans and provide analytics on their use, which can help identify any unusual activity. We constantly track your QR Codes for malicious URLs and block them or check for broken links in QR Codes.

Educate users about the risks of QR codes and encourage them to be vigilant about where they scan them.

By understanding these risks and implementing safeguards, the use of QR codes can be made more secure.