The Covide-19 pandemic changed many attitudes that we had in Europe on a daily basis. The actions we have carried out at work, in our time of leisure or sports were radically modified. Some of them have already returned to normal five years later, but there are others who come to stay. Between them is the Massive use of QR codes by companies to transfer information to their customers. We even use them to connect to Wi -Fi networks.
This is something that we have seen a lot in hospitalityAs it allows entrepreneurs not to have physical letters, they can change prices without reprints, etc. The use of these codes for inputs and transport tickets has also been popularized and also to connect various applications and services to different devices. WhatsApp Web is a good example. These are actions that we have normally integrated, such as payment using mobile NFCs or making video calls in a much more regular way.
Finally, the Integration of reading applications for these codes in mobile phones by Google with Android and Apple with iOSAs standard, without having to download third part applications, it has also favored the use of this type of technology. I was with us for a long time, but it was not a few years ago that he started to be used massively in Europe. However, this popularization has also been accompanied by certain dangers since Criminals and crooks are starting to use it to try to commit their misdeeds. This is why it is a good idea to pay attention to what we are going to scan before doing it.
Before scanning it
Check if there is a sticker on the top. One of the most common scams is to try to supplant a real QR code with another modified which leads to a fraudulent law. For this, a sticker with the modified code is generally struck on top. It is possible to see the edges of the same thing if we are cautious or if we pass our finger.
Code QR Analysis for access
Disable
Search for the Internet if it is a common form of access to the service website. A variant of the previous scam is to put QR codes in places where they are not used. For example, they were seen in Tesla Chargers, when the company has never used this type of code to give access to customers of its electric freight network. Faced with doubt, research can help us.
URL preview before entering the camera. When we indicate the camera to the QR code, the web address seems to which it will redirect us. It does not always come out, but sometimes the sufficient quantity of characters leaves so that we can see if it is a real and safe website, or if it is a fraudulent website. Check if you have an HTTPS certificate is also a good idea.
Use a scan application that you know. Although most mobile users have applications pre-installing their smartphones to scan codes, such as Google Search or Google Lens App, there are still many applications from Play Store applications. You should be very careful not to download a created to cheat because sometimes they sneak in application stores.
After scanning it
Never give personal data. When we entered the web address of a QR code, they can ask us for personal data, such as users and passwords. It is best not to do it and go manually to the URL in particular if we have to connect with our identification information.
Table with a QR code
Do not put bank or payment information. In any case, we must give our bank data or the credit card under a form that we have reached by scanning a QR code. The reasons are similar to those that must be wary of providing such data on Wi -Fi public networks: they can follow this data and access accounts from other devices.
If you have had problems, invent the business. In the case of finding access problems or if we have detected a fraud attempt, it is important to report it to the company so that it takes measures.
Do not open the suspicious files. Certain QR codes allow the download of a file when we scan it. Opening it can be a problem, especially if they are manually installed programs, jumping the protections of application stores.
QR codes are useful
With this, we do not mean that this is a danger of using these codes under no circumstances. Like other types of online actions, there are risks, but also They can be a very comfortable tool in our daily lives. The important thing is to be aware of scams or fraud that can be engaged by using them to minimize the possibilities of arriving at us.
Apply common sense and be carefulAs when we connect to a Wi -Fi network or send information under a form or an email, we can use it safely. In the end, the attitude to have is very similar in all these cases, avoiding or minimizing the possibility that our data ends in bad hands.
