WHAT ARE QR CODES
QR code is the abbreviation for Quick Response Code invented in 1994 by Denso Wave for tracking vehicles during manufacture; it was first designed to allow high-speed component scanning and It by far one of the most popular types of two-dimensional barcodes. It is attached to a product or an item and can be optically read by a QR scanner or software that displays informations contained on that product or item. These information encoded in a QR code may contain four types ("modes") of Standardize data through supported extensions and reads virtually any type of data it contains. they may include numerals, alphanumeric characters, byte or binary, Kanji e.t.c
A pictorial view of a QR code consists of black square dots aligned on a square grid normally on a white background which is readable via an optical device such as a camera or scanner. it is processed interpreted appropiately by a device or smartphone until the data contained in the scanned photo is then extracted from patterns present in both horizontal and vertical components of the image.
HOW DO I GET A QR CODE?
Now, you may ask "How do I get a QR code for my product or item? ". There are many services out there that generates Links to Qr Codes for free E.g. appspot.com and Keywa.com. This is normally know as Hard linking or Object HyperlinkingUSES OF A QR CODE
Like I said earlier, QR codes were made for tracking vehicles during manufacture. Today, QR codes have now become a common tool used in various consumer advertising. Standard websites and products owners now give out sparingly enough QR codes of their product to the general audience. some QR codes may contain URL links that takes you to the product's web page for further information using ur smartphone or a scanner attached to your computer
IT IS USED FOR STORING AND ENCODING WEB ADDRESSES
It is very common to see advertisers place QR Codes on banners, magazines, photos, newspapers, and even on streetwalls. Incase you have been seeing them and you're are wondering what it is, then grab your smarphone or tablet and take a shot of it with a QR Code Scanner to see what information it exactly contain. What you might see may take you to a web page where all the information on the displayed QR code code contain.IT IS USED FOR TRACKING GEO LOCATIONS OF ITEMS
QR codes also may be used to track the location where a code has been scanned. It can be retrieved in dual ways it is either the app or software used as the QR code Scanner retrieves the Geographical information by using GPS and cell tower triangulation (aGPS) or a URL or meta data encoded in the QR code itself is associated with a location
Google has a popular API to generate QR codes , and apps for scanning QR codes can be found on nearly all smartphone devices.
USED BY ONLINE VIRTUAL STORES OWNERS
Since the mid of last 2 years ( since 2011 ), according to one study, 14 million mobile users were accounted to have scanned a QR code or a barcode. it was also given that 60% of these users scanned a QR or barcode from their homes, while the rest 40% scanned from retail stores; Further statics accounts for 53% of the 14 million users were said to be men between the ages of 18 and 35. The South Koreans were known to be the first to use QR Codes for Virtual Store purpose, and beginning to gain massive users globally.
QR CODES ARE USED FOR PAYMENTS
Bank details such as credit card information, bank account information, pins and pass phrases are encoded in QR codes to ease payment of goods and carry out other financial transactions. Today there are thousands of site that offer products and services using scanned bar codes and QR codes
LOGIN TO WEB PORTALS
QR codes can be used to log in into websites and web portals for unrestricted access. The user is normally prompted to scan the QR Code as it's shown on the login page on a computer screen with a verified smartphone. By doing so they are automatically logged in on the computer. Authentication is performed by the smartphone which contacts the site's server. A QR code login method called "Sesame"zzzz. This method of user authentication was first trialled by Google in January 2012.THEY ARE USED FOR ENCRYPTION AND CONCEALING INFORMATION
Although they may not be boundless in use but have been used in few implementation. Encrypted QR codes, which are not very common, have a few implementations. An Android app, for example, manages encryption and decryption of QR codes using the DES algorithm (56 bits).
WHAT ARE THE RISK OF USING QR CODES?
The risk of Using QR CODES may tend to harm users as certain malicious links and Items may be encoded into QR codes. This is normally known as "attagging", a portmanteau of "attack tagging". In this Case I would advice you scan QR codes from trusted people and organizations. They are easily created and can be affixed over legitimate QR codes
linking to malicious sites with browser exploits, enabling the microphone/camera/GPS e.tc., streaming feeds from your device to a remote server, analysing your sensitive data such as passwords, contacts and all transactions made by you, and sending unsolicited emails/SMS/IM messages or DDOS packets as part of a botnet on your behalf, tempering with your privacy settings, stealing your identity, malicious JavaScript and virus. These actions could occur in the background without your consent while you are going about your normal daily web surfing. Cases Have been reported In Russia Where malicious QR code scanned with smartphones ended up sending premium texts at a fee of US$6 each. My advice is that you should be careful of the Codes you scan.IF you find this Post Helpful, then Help Us click the Like Button. Thanks
