QR code security addresses the risks associated with scanning QR codes that may encode malicious URLs. Since users cannot visually inspect the encoded data before scanning, QR codes can be exploited to direct users to phishing sites, trigger malware downloads, or initiate unwanted actions on the user's device.
Common QR code attack vectors include placing malicious QR code stickers over legitimate ones in public spaces, distributing printed materials with fraudulent QR codes, and creating QR codes that exploit vulnerabilities in specific scanner applications. The opacity of QR codes (users cannot see the encoded URL) makes them an attractive tool for social engineering attacks.
URL shortening services can enhance QR code security by checking whether encoded URLs are safe, providing preview pages that show the destination before redirecting, and monitoring for suspicious scan patterns that might indicate a compromised QR code.
Users can protect themselves by using scanner apps that preview URLs before opening them, being cautious of QR codes in unexpected locations, verifying that physical QR codes have not been tampered with (look for stickers placed over original codes), and avoiding scanning QR codes from untrusted sources.