The Covid-19 Pandemia changed a lot of the attitudes we had in Spain in our day to day. Actions that we carried out at work, at our time of leisure or sports were modified radically. Some of them have already returned to normal five years later, but there are others that 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 we have seen a lot in hospitalitysince it allows entrepreneurs not having to have physical letters, they can modify prices without reprints, etc. The use of these codes for entries and tickets in transport has also been popularized and also to connect different applications and services on different devices. WhatsApp Web is a good example of this. These are actions that we have integrated normally, such as payment using the mobile NFCs or performing video calls in a much more regular way.
Finally, the Integration of the reading apps of these codes in mobile phones by Google with Android and Apple with iOSas standard, without having to download third -party apps, it has also favored the use of this type of technology. I had been with us for a long time, but it has not been until a few years ago that it has begun to be used massively in Spain. However, this popularization also comes with some dangers since The criminals and scammers begin to use it to try to commit their misdeeds. That is why it is a good idea to be careful what we are going to scan before doing so.
Before scanning it
Check if there is a sticker on top. One of the most common scams is to try to supplant a real QR code with another modified that leads to fraudulent law. For this, a sticker with the modified code is usually hit on top. It is possible to see the edges of the same if we are careful or if we pass our finger over.
QR code scan for access
Unspash
Search on the Internet if it is a common form of access to the service website. A variants of the previous scam is to put QR codes in places where they are not used. For example, they have been seen in Tesla chargers, when the company has never used this type of code to give access to customers of its electric cargo network. Faced with the doubt, a search can help us.
Preview the URL before entering from the camera. When we point to the camera to the QR code the web address appears to which it will redirect us. It does not always come out but sometimes the sufficient amount of characters comes out so that we can see if it is a real and safe website, or if it is a fraudulent website. Checking if you have an HTTPS certificate is also a good idea.
Use a scanning app that you know. Although most mobile users have pre -installed apps on their smartphones to scan codes, such as Google Search or Google Lens app, there are still many who download applications from the Play Store applications for it. You have to be very careful not to download a created to cheat since sometimes they sneak into application stores.
After scanning it
Never give personal data. When we have entered the web address of a QR code, they may ask us for personal data, such as users and passwords. It is best not to do it, and manually go to the URL in particular if we have to connect with our credentials.
Table with a QR code
Do not put bank or payment information. Under no circumstances we have to give our bank data or the credit card in a form that we have reached by scanning a QR code. The reasons are similar to those that must be distrustful of giving such data on public Wi -Fi networks: they can track those data and access accounts from other devices.
If you have had problems, make up the company. In the case of finding access problems or if we have detected an attempt to fraud, it is important to report it to the company so that it takes measures.
Do not open suspicious files. Some QR codes enable the download of a file when we scan it. Opening it can be a problem, especially if they are programs that are installed manually, skipping the protections of application stores.
QR codes are useful
With this we do not mean that it is a danger to use these codes in any circumstance. Like other types of online actions, there are risks, but also They can be a very comfortable tool in our day to day. The important thing is to be aware of the scams or frauds that can be committed using them to minimize the possibilities of happening to us.
Applying common sense and being carefulas when we connect to a Wi -Fi network or send information in an form or email, we can use them safely. In the end, the attitude to have is very similar in all these cases, avoiding or minimizing the possibility that our data will end in bad hands.
