What is QR Code : Are QR Codes Safe?Is it Possible to Hack a QR Code ?

QR Code Security: Is it Possible to Hack a QR Code ?

This article will deal with QR codes. Quick Response Code ( QR Code),  you are familiar with this term , but some of us perhaps are not having enough knowledge about it. This article will enlighten our esteemed readers about QR Codes in details. 

What Do You Mean by QR Codes ? 

A Quick Response code is basically a type of barcode capable of being read easily by a digital device . It stores information in the form of a series of pixels in a square - shaped grid. QR codes are used as a means to track information about products in a supply chain & now a days since many smartphones have built - in - QR readers therefore , they are used for marketing & advertising campaigns as well. You may not be aware, that in recent times they have played a vital role in helping to not only trace corona virus exposure but also slow it's spread . Now , you must have understood what is QR code and what exactly is it's role.

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It is noteworthy, that the first QR code system was invented in 1994 by the Japanese company Denso Wave which is a subsidiary of Toyota. They wanted a foolproof method for tracking vehicles & parts during the manufacturing process. So in order to find a solution they decided to develop a type of barcode that would be capable of encoding kanji, kana & alphanumeric characters.

It is important to state out here, that when we talk about standard barcodes they can store a small amount of data . You must be wondering why ? The reason being they can be read in only direction , top to bottom. Now when you consider the case of a QR code, it can be read in two directions . Top to bottom & Right to left. This enables it to store more data. So QR Code is regarded as more important when it comes to storing data because of this reason. 

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How Do I Scan QR Codes?

Before proceeding ahead , You must know how do you scan QR codes ?  Let's find out more about it in the following para:

Some tablets like Apple iPad have QR readers in built in their cameras however , you will find cases where some older devices may need a particular type of app to read QR codes. These apps can be accessed from Apple App Store as well as Google Play. 

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Scanning a QR code using your device is not a daunting task as such . Just got to follow the steps mentioned below & it will done with fair amount of ease.

First up, open the QR reader application or camera on your smart phone. Once you are done with this step then point it at the QR code from any angle and still you will obtain the necessary information. Now the data will be shown on screen. Assume if the QR code contains contact details , in that event your phone should instantly download these. Now it must be pretty clear to you all, how to get it scanned . So next time if you have to do it, you can fall back on these steps to get your job done or you can guide someone on this. 

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Are QR Codes Safe?

You must be thinking whether QR codes are safe or not. It is possible to embed malicious URL with custom malware into a QR code which can collect data from a mobile phone when scanned. Infact by inserting a malicious URL into a QR code that directs towards a phishing site encouraging users to divulge their financial information or personal information is also possible. So one needs to act smart when we deal with QR codes.  Since humans cannot read QR codes, it is easy for attackers to alter a QR code to point to an alternative resource without being detected. While many people are aware that QR codes can open a URL, they are probably less aware of the other actions that QR codes can initiate on a user’s device. Apart from opening a website, these actions can include adding contacts or composing emails. This element of surprise can make QR code security threats especially problematic.

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The problem revolves around the fact, that since humans cannot read QR codes so it gets easier for attackers to alter QR codes to their advantage thereby moving it towards an alternative resource.

It is perhaps known to lot of people that QR codes can open an URL however, they are not much informed about the various others actions a QR code is capable of initiating. There is an element of risk involved , no body can deny this fact outright. 

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In some cases malicious QR codes in public have been placed . Now since the users are not aware of it they scan the code thereby they are taken to malicious web page. This can led to device compromise or even spoofed log in page to steal informations of users. So it is quite clear QR codes can be manipulated by people with ill mentality or intentions. Unsuspecting users gets into the trap and they are often made to suffer in some cases. 

Is QR codes meant to Collect Personal Information? 

The answer is a No. It does not collect or gathers personally identifiable information. Yes, it does collect information of location , number of times the code has been scanned as well as the operating system of device which scanned the code. 

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Is it Possible to Hack a QR Code ?

Let's be very clear , QR Codes themselves can't be hacked. The risk element of QR codes emanates from the destination of QR codes rather than the codes themselves. Hackers are good at manipulating stuffs. They can create malicious codes which guides users to fake websites thereby  capturing their personal data including login information. It is advisable that while scanning codes , mobile users must check whether the sender is authentic or not.

How Does QR Code Work? 

If you observe the patterns within QR codes , you will come to know that it represents binary codes that can be interpreted to identify the code's data.

A QR code can identify a standard QR code based on three large squares outside the QR codes. Once it identifies these three shapes then it is sure that everything inside the square happens to be a QR Code.

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Then the QR reader analyse the QR code by breaking it into a grid. What it does is that , it looks at the individual grid squares , assigns values to each one depending on whether it is black or white. Next up, it group grid squares to create larger patterns. 

What are the Various Parts of a QR Code?

 

It has got six components mentioned below :

• Quiet Zone - The empty white border around the outside of a QR code which helps the QR reader to ascertain what is and is not there within the QR code. 
• Finder Pattern - QR codes have three black squares . It is there in the bottom left, top left & top right corner. These squares guides the QR reader that it is looking at a QR code.
• Timing pattern - It helps the reader to identify individual squares within the whole and also allows damaged QR code to be read. 
• Version Information - It is present near the top right finder Pattern cell . This is basically a small field of information. It ascertains which version of the QR code is being read. 
• Data cells - The rest of the QR code is meant to communicate the actual information including the phone number, message it contains as well as the URL. 

The next Question that Needed to be Given Attention is, What are the Different Styles of QR code? 

QR codes can be although created in various styles & shapes however, there are five prominent types of such codes explained below :

1. QR code : This is the actual version. It was created in 1990s by Denso Wave. It is fairly easy to identify owing to the fact, that it has three finders namely bottom - left, top - left & top - right. 

2. Aztec code : Look wise , it's almost similar to a QR code . It was developed by Welch Allyn. It has got just one finder right at the center or in middle. 

3.Maxi Code : Such QR codes are being used by United States postal service. It is similar to Aztec code in the sense, that it has got the finder pattern in the middle however, instead of using squares it uses a honeycomb pattern.

4. PDF417 : You must be surprised to know that it predates the QR code by 3 years. It was invented by Ynjiun Wang in 1991. It has a rectangular shape. It can termed as a mix of QR code and a barcode.

5. Semacode : It is a data matrix that resembles like an ordinary QR code . It is worth mentioning out here, that it doesn't have recognizable finder pattern. 

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Conclusion 

The readers who wants to know more about QR codes, for them this article will be highly productive. This article has covered all the key points associated with QR codes. As stated above QR code must be dealt with lot of precautions. The hackers always look for an opportunity to exploit such codes so that they could be privy to key confidential information pertaining to the users. 

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