QR codes are everywhere: menus, packaging, billboards, tickets, Pix payments. This ubiquity has transformed the small black and white square into a critical link between physical and digital worlds. But with popularity came a serious problem: criminals realized they can exploit user trust to execute sophisticated scams.
QR code security is no longer a niche technical concern. It has become an operational requirement for any company using codes in campaigns, payments, or customer service. A single compromised code can destroy a brand's reputation in hours.
This guide explains the real risks, presents proven protection practices, and shows how to create QR codes that protect both the brand and the end consumer.
Why QR Code Security Became a Priority
The QR code itself is neutral. It is simply a visual format that encodes information, usually a URL. The problem lies in who creates the code and where it directs users.
Unlike email links, where users have learned to be suspicious, QR codes still carry an aura of legitimacy. Most people scan without thinking twice, especially when the code appears in an apparently official context like a restaurant, store, or event.
This blind trust is exactly what criminals exploit. According to an IBM Security report, QRishing attacks (phishing via QR code) have grown significantly because they combine two factors: user familiarity with the format and the impossibility of "seeing" the destination before scanning.
For companies, the risk is twofold. First, there is direct harm to consumers who fall for the scam. Second, there is reputational damage when the brand is associated with the incident, even if the original code was tampered with by third parties.
The Four Main Types of Attacks
Understanding attack vectors is the first step in creating effective defenses. Criminals use different methods depending on context and objective.
QRishing: Disguised Phishing
The attacker creates a QR code that leads to a fake page, visually identical to the legitimate site. The user enters credentials, card data, or personal information thinking they are on the real site. It is the most common and hardest to detect attack because the fake page can be extremely convincing.
Real example: fake codes stuck over parking meter QR codes in American cities directed drivers to fraudulent payment sites that collected credit card data.
Physical Code Tampering
Criminals print stickers with malicious QR codes and paste them over legitimate codes in restaurants, banks, bus stops, and other public locations. The user trusts the context (they are in the official restaurant, after all) and scans without suspicion.
This type of attack is particularly dangerous because it exploits the credibility of the physical environment. An acrylic sign on a restaurant table seems much more trustworthy than a suspicious email.
Malware Via Automatic Download
Some malicious QR codes direct to pages that attempt to install malicious software on the device. On Android smartphones with relaxed security settings, the download can happen automatically. The malware can steal data, monitor activities, or turn the device into part of a botnet.
Silent Data Collection
Not every attack is obvious. Some QR codes direct to pages that appear legitimate but collect device data: model, location, unique identifiers. This information feeds tracking profiles or is sold in data markets.
Kaspersky documents that this type of passive collection is growing because it is harder to detect and generates continuous revenue for attackers.
How to Create Secure QR Codes: Practical Guide for Companies
Security starts at creation. Carelessly generated QR codes are vulnerable from day one. Following a structured process drastically reduces risks.
Choose Platforms With Verifiable Track Records
Free and unknown generators are risky. Some inject intermediate redirects that can be hijacked. Others collect data about who scans without transparency.
Professional platforms offer verified domains, SSL certificates, access logs, and support in case of incidents. The additional cost is insignificant compared to the risk of using amateur tools in brand campaigns.
Always Use HTTPS and Own Domains
QR codes that direct to HTTP (without the "S") are vulnerable to interception. Any compromised Wi-Fi network can redirect traffic. Additionally, modern browsers display security warnings that scare users.
Own domains (instead of generic shorteners) also increase trust. A user who sees "yourbrand.com" in the address bar feels safer than seeing "xyz123.link/a1b2c3".
Implement Dynamic QR Codes
Static QR codes have the destination fixed in the code itself. If something goes wrong, you need to reprint all physical material. Dynamic QR codes point to a redirector you control. This allows:
Instantly updating the destination if there is a problem. Deactivating compromised codes without collecting physical material. Monitoring access in real time to detect anomalies. Running A/B tests without reprinting.
For campaigns of any scale, dynamic is the only sensible option.
Add Clear Visual Identity
QR codes allow customization: colors, logos in the center, module formats. Using brand visual identity is not just branding. It is security.
A code with an official logo is much harder to convincingly forge. Trained users recognize when something is "different" and hesitate before scanning.
Configure Continuous Monitoring
Access to logs is not a luxury. It is a necessity. You need to know how many scans happen per day, from which locations, at what times. Abnormal spikes may indicate that a code has been cloned or that an attack campaign is underway.
Automatic alerts for suspicious patterns enable rapid response before damage spreads.
QR Codes With Professional Security
VISU offers dynamic QR codes with HTTPS, verified domains, real-time monitoring, and customized visual identity. Real protection for real campaigns.
How Users Can Protect Themselves
Companies control the codes they create. But users interact with third-party codes all the time. Education is the best defense.
Verify the URL Before Any Action
After scanning, most smartphones show the URL before opening. This is the critical moment. Verify that the domain matches what is expected. "bank-secure.net" is not "banksecure.com". Intentional typos are a common tactic.
Beware of Strange Contexts
QR codes stuck on poles, bus stops without context, or stickers visibly overlaid on another code are warning signs. If the environment does not inspire trust, do not scan.
Use Readers With Built-In Protection
Some QR code reader apps verify URLs against databases of known malicious sites. This extra layer automatically blocks obvious threats.
Keep Operating System Updated
Security updates fix vulnerabilities that malware exploits. An outdated smartphone is a vulnerable smartphone, regardless of QR code caution.
QR Code Security and Brand Protection
For companies, QR code security is not just a technical matter. It is reputation management.
Imagine the scenario: a customer scans a code on your product's official packaging and lands on a fraudulent site. Even if the fault lies with criminals who tampered with the code at the point of sale, the mental association is with your brand. Trust is destroyed.
Incident Response Protocols
Have a plan ready for when (not if) something goes wrong. Who deactivates compromised codes? Who communicates with consumers? Who investigates the origin? Slow response amplifies damage.
Regular Auditing of Physical Touchpoints
If your brand uses QR codes on physical materials (restaurant tables, store displays, packaging), audit regularly. Trained employees identify suspicious stickers before customers are affected.
Proactive Communication With Consumers
Educate your base on how to identify legitimate codes from your brand. If you always use a certain visual pattern, communicate it. Informed consumers are the first line of defense.
Emerging Technologies in QR Code Security
The field is evolving rapidly. Some promising technologies are already in use.
Blockchain for Authenticity Verification
A QR code's history can be recorded on blockchain, creating an immutable trail. Any unauthorized alteration becomes visible. It is particularly useful for high-value products where counterfeiting is a serious problem.
Artificial Intelligence for Fraud Detection
ML algorithms analyze access patterns and identify anomalies that humans would not notice. Sudden spike in access from a specific region, unusual device pattern, atypical hours. All of this can indicate an attack in progress.
Integrated Digital Certification
Some systems allow the QR code to carry a verifiable digital certificate. The smartphone can automatically validate that the code was generated by the entity it claims to be, similar to how SSL certificates work for websites.
Practical Benefits of Investing in Security
Security is not just cost. It is an investment with measurable return.
Scan rate increases when users trust the brand. Avoided fraud equals unrealized losses. Clean metrics enable real campaign optimization. Compliance with LGPD and GDPR avoids fines and lawsuits. Protected reputation is worth more than any short-term savings.
Companies that treat security as a competitive differentiator, not a cost center, come out ahead.
Conclusion
QR codes are a powerful tool, but power comes with responsibility. Every code your brand puts into the world is a touchpoint that can build or destroy trust.
The good news is that robust security is not complicated. Professional platforms, consistent practices, and continuous monitoring solve most risks. The investment is small compared to the cost of an incident.
For VISU, security is a foundation, not an optional feature. Every QR code generated by the platform carries protections that keep brands and consumers safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is QRishing and how does it work?
QRishing is phishing via QR code. The attacker creates a code that directs to a fake page, visually identical to the legitimate site. The user enters data thinking they are on the real site. It is effective because people trust QR codes more than email links and cannot "see" the destination before scanning.
Are dynamic QR codes more secure than static ones?
Significantly more secure. Dynamic codes allow instant deactivation or redirection if there is a problem, without collecting physical material. They also offer real-time monitoring to detect suspicious access. For any professional use, dynamic is the only sensible option.
How can I tell if a QR code has been tampered with?
Physical signs include visibly overlaid stickers, misalignment, print quality different from the rest of the material. After scanning, verify that the URL matches expectations. Domains with intentional typos or unknown shorteners are red flags.
What is the company's liability if a customer falls for a scam via tampered QR code?
Legally, it depends on context and jurisdiction. But reputationally, the brand suffers regardless of technical fault. That is why companies should invest in prevention (dynamic codes, monitoring, physical touchpoint auditing) and have an incident response plan ready to minimize damage when problems occur.
Does blockchain really increase QR code security?
Yes, for specific cases. Blockchain creates an immutable record of the code's history, allowing authenticity verification and detection of unauthorized changes. It is particularly useful for high-value products, official documents, and supply chains where traceability is critical. For simple marketing campaigns, it may be overkill.
How do I train employees to identify suspicious QR codes?
Training should cover: visual inspection of materials (overlaid stickers, inconsistent quality), protocol for reporting anomalies, never scanning codes of unknown origin with corporate devices, and knowledge of the brand's official visual pattern. Periodic simulations reinforce learning.